Plants and Plant Products

This website will assist you to obtain preliminary information for exporting plant products. Should you decide to proceed to export, please contact your local DAFF regional office in your state or territory.

The Australian government is a signatory to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and strongly supports international cooperation in controlling pests of plants and plant products through science based quarantine measures that will prevent the unintended spread of pests to other countries through imported products.

Exporting plants and plant products

The Export Control Act 1982, the Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Order 2011 and the Export Control (Prescribed Goods—General) Order 2005 provide the legal framework when plant and plant products are prepared or processed for export.

Exporters must meet both the requirements of the Act and its subordinate legislation and any importing country quarantine requirements for DAFF to provide the necessary documentation to enable products to be exported.

As a general rule, DAFF only assists in the export of prescribed goods. Depending on what you want to export, the requirements you must meet will vary. The Act specifies that goods are ‘prescribed’ or ‘non-prescribed’.

For further information on exporting prescribed or non-prescribed goods, contact your local DAFF Regional Office in your state or territory.

Exporting prescribed goods

Prescribed goods include:

• Prescribed grain
• Hay and straw
• Fresh fruit
• Fresh vegetables
• Plant and plant products for which a phytosanitary certificate or other official certificate is required by an importing country authority.

Exporting non-prescribed goods

It is the responsibility of the exporter to obtain the importing country requirements. This information must then be provided to DAFF by the exporter.

Authorised Officers

Authorised Officers (AOs) are either government officers or privately engaged people who specially trained individuals who are authorised to perform specific export inspection functions in accordance with Australian export legislation. When undertaking these duties, AOs are regarded as Australian government officials. They may conduct a range of duties depending on the commodity and their training qualification. All AOs are subject to rigorous verification and audit.

More information on how to apply to become an Authorised Officer.

Plant Export Operations Manual

The Plant Export Operations Manual has been prepared by DAFF and is intended to be used as instructional material for (AOs) inspecting of plants and plant products for export.

It is intended that the manual be used as a detailed reference to support eLearning for officers, and has been constructed to be easy to use. 

Plant Export Operations Service Charter

The Plant Export Operations Program (the Program) has introduced a Service Charter to highlight its service to industry. The Charter outlines the service standards the Program provides, including who its clients are, what its role is, what your rights as an exporter are and how you can help the program improve and deliver its services. The program strives to provide and maintain a high level of service by stating necessary lead times for the functions related to export certification.

Additional information

More DAFF information on exporting plants and plant products from Australia includes:

• MICoR Plants – DAFF’s Export Conditions Database of exporting plants and plant products from Australia
• EXDOC – Information relating to DAFF’s EXport DOCumentation system for the certification of plants and plant products
• Plant and Plant Products Export Program – DAFF Regional Office contact details
• Fees and Charges – Grain exports and Horticulture exports
• Stakeholder registration process.

If you are seeking information regarding setting up a new business exporting plants or plant products we suggest you visit Austrade in the first instance before continuing through this website. Austrade can provide information to assist you in commercial decisions for international business. Austrade can provide advice, market intelligence and support to Australian companies that will reduce the time, cost and risk involved in selecting, entering and developing international markets. In addition, Austrade provides advice and guidance on overseas investment and joint venture opportunities.

If you are a wheat exporter you will also need to fulfill the quality requirements set by Wheat Exports Australia.

Exporters should seek information regarding any specific quarantine requirements of the importing country from the relevant quarantine authority. For preliminary information, DAFF provides an overview of importing country quarantine requirements in MICoR Plants.

Please note that exporters must also fulfill Australian Customs requirements. For further information, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service or a freight forwarder will be able to assist you to complete the required paperwork.