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°Õ³ó±ðÌýBiosecurity Act 2015Ìýstates that goods with import conditions that apply to them (conditionally non-prohibited goods) must not be brought or imported into Australian territory unless the specified conditions are complied with. It is a criminal offence pursuant to section 186 of the Act to bring or import goods into Australian territory that require an import permit, without one.

The Act does not allow for permits to be issued for goods that have already been brought into Australian territory.

The department does not facilitate the clearance of conditionally non-prohibited goods that arrive without the required import permit. Goods that require a permit but arrive without one, including where an application is currently under consideration, will be directed for export from Australian territory or required to be disposed of.

For goods where the BICON import conditions do not require an import permit, do not enclose an import permit 'just in case', as this creates documentation discrepancies that can impact approved arrangement facility compliance. You must clearly understand whether a permit is required or not before importing the goods.

Registration with BICON is required to apply for a permit.

When applying for an import permit for research materials, you must use the University’s multiple user account. Email theÌýResearch Compliance OfficerÌýand you will be provided with directions regarding howÌýto register with the multiple user account in BICON.

If the BICON case indicates that your goods will require containment in an Approved Arrangement site (biosecurity containment facility), contact the person responsible for the site (if known), or otherwise contact the Research Compliance Officer to confirm that a suitable site would be available.

When you receive your import permit,Ìýread it carefullyÌýto ensure you understand all the conditions. The import permit is generally valid for two years and may be used any number of times during this period (unless specified otherwise).

The import permit will dictate conditions under which the product may enter Australia. It is important that you read these conditionsÌýbeforeÌýimporting. You should clarify immediately withÌýDAFF any anomalies, uncertainties, inconsistency, error or untenable condition to ensure that the permit will allow you to undertake all aspects of the proposed work. Such matters could include:

• specified treatment conditions that would jeopardise the viability of your sample(s) for the proposed work
• errors in nomenclature on the permit which could cause problems at the border when samples do not 'match' permits

To arrangeÌýDAFF clearance of imported goods, the import permit and all associated documentation must be presented to theÌýDAFF regional office in the state/territory of entry.

You need to meet the conditions on the import permit at all times to ensure yourÌýongoing compliance.

You can request to vary your permit by opening your permit application within your registered user account in BICON and selecting the ‘Vary My Permit’ button. Task cards are available to show you how to vary an import permit through BICON’sÌýÌý³¾±ð²Ô³Ü.

Permit variations will be viewable in your registered user account once they have been assessed by the department and will result in a new BICON permit that is linked to the varied permit. You will also be notified via your preferred contact method (either email or post) once the application to vary a permit has been processed.

Please note that the updated permit will retain the expiry date of the original permit. ÌýIf your permit is due to expire soon, we recommend applying for a new permit instead of applying for a variation.

An approved arrangement (AA) site is a facility specifically registered by the University and approved by DAFF to receive biosecurity goods of a high risk nature and for the storage, use or further processing of products that are subject to biosecurity.

The import permit will specify if your goods need to be received and/or maintained in an AA site and if so, which one(s) (i.e. the sites you listed on your application).

Note that you are only permitted to hold and use biosecurity goods in the premise(s) listed on your permit. Any additional facilities you wish to use must be included in your permit.

Note also thatÌýDAFF will stipulate a Biosecurity Containment (BC) class and level at which the biosecurity goods must be kept.

There are significant biosecurity risks associated with the use of imported biological goods in non-laboratory animals, such as chickens, sheep and cattle, and in plants.

Non-laboratory animals, as defined by the department, are all animal species other than guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rabbits and rodents.

Visit the DAFF website for further information on in vivo approvals in animals.

Contact the Research Compliance Officer for further information on in vivo approvals for plants.

Interstate quarantine

• State biosecurity legislation applies to biological goods being imported into South Australia and other states and territories. Visit the Australian Interstate Quarantine website Ìý and PIRSA website for further information and contact the Research Compliance Officer to confirm interstate import requirements.