Householders

To minimise the spread of pests and diseases into Victoria's major crop production areas, there are restrictions on the movement of certain regulated materials:

• plants
• plant products
• used packaging
• agricultural equipment
• soil.

Restrictions may apply to:

• move regulated materials into or out of declared areas within Victoria, or
• import regulated materials from another state into Victoria.

These restrictions are supported by Victorian Government plant biosecurity legislation.

Information is provided for residents of Victoria, moving their plant or plant products.

Moving plants or plant products into Victoria

The movement into Victoria of plants, plant products, equipment and soil may be subject to a prohibition, or to one or more conditions. It is advisable to check with Agriculture Victoria to avoid a fine and/or the product being destroyed.

Please note that the restrictions on importing plants and plant products into Victoria apply equally to items purchased online. The availability of an item on an internet-trading site does not imply that it is legal to import it into Victoria or that importation is unrestricted. The buyer must comply with state quarantine regulations when importing online purchases.

From Interstate

Many plant and plant products require certification and/or verification when being imported into Victoria. It is advisable to check with Agriculture Victoria to avoid a fine and/or the product being destroyed.

Certification

Refer to the Plant Quarantine Manual for details of all requirements for the movement into Victoria of plants, plant materials and related items and certification details.

Verification

Some items may need to be presented to an Authorised Inspector on arrival for checking of details such as correct certification, labelling or treatment.

Below is a list of the current pests that require verification once arrived in Victoria.

• Fire ants – Sourcing material from within the Queensland Interstate Biosecurity Zone
• Mediterranean fruit fly – Receival of host produce from infested areas/states
• Grape Phylloxera – Receival of Diagnostic Samples from a Phylloxera Infested Area
• Potato cyst nematode – Receival of potatoes from an area infested with potato cyst nematode

For further information please contact Agriculture Victoria Plant Biosecurity.

From overseas

Please contact Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for information on the international  import or export of plants and plant products.

Movement of plants or plant products to interstate or overseas

Interstate authorities may place restrictions on the movement of plants, plant products or related materials into their state.

Entry into another state may not occur unless the material is certified as having been treated or inspected in line with the quarantine conditions specified by that state.

Business are advised to check these conditions and any additional fees or charges via the websites below:

• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Western Australia

Please contact Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for information on the international  import or export of plants and plant products.

For more information on accreditations, application forms and full text copies of procedures please contact Agriculture Victoria Plant Biosecurity.

Movement of plants or plant products within Victoria

There are restrictions on the movement of certain plants, plant products and agricultural machinery within Victoria.

Biosecurity zones have been established in Victoria in regard to the spread of certain pests and diseases:

• Phylloxera – movement of grapes, grapevine material, agricultural equipment involved with production of vines and vine material and soil
• Potato cyst nematode – movement of potatoes, potato plant material, agricultural equipment and soil
• Toolangi Plant Protection District – movement of nursery plants, cut flowers, leafy vegetables, strawberry plants, rubus plants and potato tubers
• Green Snail – movement of host materials that may pose a risk in transporting this pest.
• Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus – movement of host plants that may pose a risk in transporting the virus

For further information please contact Agriculture Victoria Plant Biosecurity.

Related sites

• Domestic quarantine and market access – domestic interstate market access conditions
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for information on international movement of plants and plant products including importing plants and plant products from other countries.
• Plant Health Australia
• National pest and disease outbreaks
• Invasive plants and a link to the movement restrictions which apply to them.
• Biosecurity Updates for businesses importing plants and plant products into Victoria from other Australian states

Contact us

Contact the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or email

Northern Region
Email: plant.quarantine@agriculture.vic.gov.au

South East Region
Email: plant.standards@agriculture.vic.gov.au

South West Region
Email: plant.southwest@agriculture.vic.gov.au