Condition

Condition 36D - Fire Ant: Agricultural equipment and packages

The information within this Import Condition was current as of the date of printing: Friday, 5 December 2025.

New entry conditions or amendments may be implemented from time to time and are uploaded into the Plant Quarantine Manual.

It is recommended that you regularly check the http://www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/pqm website for the most up to date import conditions.

Any equipment or used package originating from an area covered by an Area Freedom Certificate declaring that the area from which the host material originated is known to be free of red imported fire ants (RIFA) may enter Victoria without restriction, otherwise‐

the movement into Victoria of any agricultural equipment or used package which has contained any plant, plant product or host material is prohibited unless:

  1. consigned from a property which
    1. has been regularly inspected and found to be free of fire ants; or
    2. is subject to control methods to prevent the establishment or spread of fire ants; and
  2. agricultural equipment or used package be –
    1. cleaned free of earth material and organic matter by –
      1. brushing; or
      2. high pressure water; or
      3. steam; and
    2. inspected and found free of soil, organic matter and fire ants; and
  3. a copy of the certification is submitted to Agriculture Victoria Connect prior to despatch of the material; or
  4. enters Victoria in accordance with a permit issued by Agriculture Victoria. To apply for a permit visit the Plant biosecurity permit page.

Documentation requirement: PHC, PHAC, Plant Health Declaration and Permit.

Verification requirement:

Host material imported into Victoria which is required by to be accompanied by a certificate or declaration must be segregated from other stock and not repacked, sold or otherwise disposed of, until the whole consignment is –

(a) presented to an Inspector for inspection; or

(b) verified by a person accredited to do so by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

Relevant Hosts / Commodities