Information on Meat Export Licence Requirements

Who needs a meat export licence?

Exporters of edible meat, offal (including casings) and or meat products of cattle, sheep or goat must be licensed.

Why do I need an export licence?

The Australian Meat & Livestock Industry Act 1997 (AMLI Act) requires that a person or company or partnership exporting meat or meat products must be licensed to export meat.

How do I obtain a licence?

The applicant must complete an application and submit it for assessment. You will be assessed for competency within the three following areas: technical ability as a packer or non packer, financial standing and integrity.

What is the assessment process?

Technical competency

A copy of your AUS-MEAT accreditation certificate is acceptable proof.

Financial standing

In the case of a corporate identity:

• Simply provide your Australian Company Number (ACN) as requested on the application form

In the case of a partnership:

• Attach a copy of partnership agreement and a recent 'audited statement of account' to the application

In the case of an individual:

• Attach a copy of a recent audited 'statement of account'

Integrity competency

The applicant and all nominated persons listed on the application will be assessed by the department under the provisions of the AMLI Act.

Steps to be taken in order to apply for obtain accreditation and a meat export licence;

1. Contact the standards industry body, AUS-MEAT Limited for requirements of accreditation.
2. When accreditation has been achieved or is close to being achieved you must complete an "Application for a License to Export Meat" (EX31) form and attach required documents as specified e.g.;
   1. Copy of AUS-MEAT Accreditation Certificate
   2. Card payment details or cheque payment of $500 (if applicable)
   3. Relevant supporting documents as identified on the application form
3. Mail application form to:
   Export License Section
   AQIS Food Exports Branch
   GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601

NOTE: for AQIS and AUS-MEAT contact details please refer to application form.

What does a licence cost?

The annual AQIS Export Licence application fee is $500. This fee does not apply where applicant is the occupier of a registered export meat establishment and listed by AUS-MEAT as a packer exporter.

Other references

For information on how to register as an exporter for electronic export permits, visit the EXDOC website.

The AMLI Act is available at Quarantine and Export Services – Legislation.

For more information in relation to obtaining an application form or licensing requirements for the export of meat/meat products please contact: Export Meat Licensing.

Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI)

The department received a Freedom of Information Act 1982 request seeking documentation held by the department in relation to a meat export licence.

The six documents released under the FOI Act (Ref: FOI 2011/12-46) are:

• Licence to Export Meat from Australia
• Notice of Financial Standing
• ASIC company search
• Application for a licence to Export Meat
• AUS-MEAT Certificate of Accreditation
• Export Activity Declaration