Fees and charges for plant biosecurity certification and accreditation services

The following fees apply to plant health certification services within normal working hours (6am to 6pm, Monday to Friday).

On 1 July 2023 most of our fees and charges increased by 3.4% in line with the government's indexation policy.

Inspection and certification by a biosecurity inspector

Inspection fee

• $232.00 per hour (charged in 15-minute increments)

An inspection may include:

• supervising treatment
• inspecting products for condition or freedom
• inspecting the crop, property or nursery for freedom
• calibrating the tank or equipment calibration
• inspecting compliance.

Travel fees for inspection and certification services

• Single client – $232.00 per hour (charged in 15-minute increments)
• Multiple clients – a 30% discount is applied to each client's travel where multiple clients are seen at different sites on the same day

Travel fees are capped at a maximum of 2 hours for each service.

Delays

If an inspection cannot commence at the arranged time due to a delay caused by a business, charging of the inspection fee (charged in 15-minute increments) commences from the time originally booked.

Abandoned services

If a biosecurity inspector arrives on site to begin an inspection at an agreed time and a business elects to abandon the service, the hourly inspection fee will be charged in 15-minute increments for the time spent on site. Any travel fee to service this location will also be applied.

Issuing biosecurity certificates

• $57.98 per certificate where a site visit by the authorised officer is not required and where the activity takes no longer than 15 minutes

Certification assurance for an accredited certifier

Annual accreditation application fee

• $355.42 per year (non-refundable)

Books of plant health assurance certificates

• $31.70 per book (100 certificates), plus postage and handling fee per book where applicable

On-site audit fee

• $339.45 per hour (charged in 15-minute increments)

An audit may include 1 of the following types of audits:

• initial
• compliance
• follow-up
• investigatory
• random.

Travel fees for auditing services

• Single client – $339.45 per hour (charged in 15-minute increments)
• Multiple clients – a 30% discount is applied to each client's travel where multiple clients are seen at different sites on the same day

Travel charges are capped at a maximum of 2 hours for each service.

Delays

If an audit cannot begin at the arranged time due to a delay caused by a business, charging of the on-site audit fee (charged in 15-minute increments) commences from the time originally booked.

Abandoned services

If an auditor arrives on site to begin an audit at an agreed time and a business elects to abandon the service, the hourly on-site audit fee will be charged in 15-minute increments for the time spent on site. Any travel fee to service this location will also be applied.

Western Flower Thrips Property approval

• The approval fee for western flower thrip properties is no longer a distinct fee category. The standard annual accreditation application fee of $355.42 now applies.
• The fee for trap kits and identification is $178.75 per box of 5 traps.

Out-of-hours services

Out-of-hours services (including travel outside the normal working hours of 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and travel on public holidays) are charged at:

• $401.35 per hour for inspections, with a 30% discount applied to each client's travel where multiple clients are seen at different sites on the same day. Travel charges are capped at 2 hours per service
• $488.00 per hour for audits, with a 30% discount applied to each client's travel where multiple clients are seen at different sites on the same day. Travel charges are capped at 2 hours per service.

Out-of-hours charges do not apply if a service is conducted out of hours at the request of Biosecurity Queensland.

Note: All fees and charges shown include GST.

How fees are calculated

The fees for plant health certification services have been calculated based on the Queensland Government's Principles for Fees and Charges. These principles are used by all Queensland Government agencies to ensure a fair approach to the user pays system, and that major users and beneficiaries contribute more proportionately to costs.

The fee changes take into account the costs associated with providing the service, including:

• labour
• outlays
• overheads.

They were also benchmarked against fees under other Queensland and interstate legislation.

When third party providers of certification and audit services become available, we will introduce a market adjustment to provide a competitive playing field.

Fee structure

Traditionally, the fees and charges for biosecurity services in Queensland didn't reflect the costs of delivering those services, or the commercial benefits that businesses gain from biosecurity management. Providing these services at a loss to government means Queensland taxpayers have heavily subsidised these services.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014 a new structure for biosecurity fees shares the costs of biosecurity risk management with those who create the risk, and ensures Queensland can continue to fund strong biosecurity.

Consultation for the new fee structure

Extensive consultation was undertaken with stakeholders about the new fee structure, including as part of the Regulatory Impact Statement consultation in 2014 where it was put forward as the best option for industry, government and the community.

Industry was consulted further about the endorsed fees through the Biosecurity Legislation and Reference Group, which includes industry and local government representatives.

Also consider...

• View the fee schedule for plant health certification and accreditation services.
• Learn more about moving equipment, plant material and soil.