Moving hay and fodder across states

Current situation as of 16 July 2025

Importing fodder from interstate into Victoria

Ongoing drought conditions are creating significant challenges for Victoria’s livestock industry, particularly a critical shortage of fodder, with farmers needing to look interstate to source supply.

Agriculture Victoria is providing a free and tailored service to suppliers, transporters and farmers to help them to efficiently navigate the permit requirements to bring feed into Victoria while managing biosecurity risks.

Good biosecurity practices prevent and manage the harms caused by plant and animal pests and diseases and the impact they have on our farming communities, natural landscapes and the safety of food and fibre production. All Victorians play an important role in safeguarding our world-class biosecurity system.

Victorian Drought Freight Network fodder transport

The Victorian Drought Freight Network is now in place to support fodder and grain movements on key freight routes in south west Victoria, permitting loads of up to 84 tonnes – a 15-tonne increase on the usual limit on these routes. Eligible vehicles under the scheme include 36.5 metre long A-Doubles and B-Triples.

Road trains will not be required to comply with Performance-Based Standards or Smart On-Board Mass technology for the drought network to supply bulk movement of fodder and grain.

The drought freight network will allow operators to deliver grain and fodder to central pick-up points where farmers can then collect and transport to their properties in smaller vehicle combinations.

• Get more information or apply for a permit

The initiative has been developed with the Department of Transport and Planning, Victorian Farmers Federation and the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Victoria to improve road networks for fodder transport in southwest Victoria.

Do I need a permit to bring fodder into Victoria from other states and territories?

There are no restrictions or permit requirements for fodder coming from the Northern Territory (NT) or Tasmania (Tas). Fodder coming from all other jurisdictions requires either a plant health certificate or a permit issued by Agriculture Victoria.

This is to protect Victoria from exotic pests and pathogens that could be spread by transported fodder, including:

• annual ryegrass toxicity – a seed-transmitted nematode found in Queensland (QLD), Western Australia (WA), South Australia (SA) and New South Wales (NSW)
• green snail – an invasive snail species found in WA
• red imported fire ant – an invasive ant species found in QLD and small zones in NSW
• electric ant – an invasive ant species found in QLD.

How do I obtain a plant biosecurity permit (PBP)?

The easiest way to obtain a plant biosecurity permit is to fill out the application form [MS Word Document - 78.3 KB] as best you can. Email your form to: market.access@agriculture.vic.gov.au. Agriculture Victoria will follow up with you to finalise your details.

How long will it take for a PBP to be assessed?

Permit applications for fodder are being prioritised by Agriculture Victoria to allow for timely fodder movement.

Once you have submitted your plant biosecurity permit application form, we will contact you to work through your specific import request and provide a permit within 2 working days.

How much does it cost?

A plant biosecurity permit will be issued free of charge for fodder movement. If an inspection of fodder by Agriculture Victoria is required on its arrival to Victoria (which will be stipulated as a permit condition), the cost of this inspection will also be waived.

Is a permit required for transportation of fodder from QLD and WA through SA and NSW?

No, if fodder is sourced from outside a biosecurity zone for green snail, red imported fire ant or electric ant. There is no requirement for an additional permit from SA or NSW.

Yes, if the fodder is sourced from within a biosecurity zone for green snail, red imported fire ant or electric ant. An additional permit may be required and you must contact authorities:

• in NSW on 1800 680 244 or biosecurity.plantapplications@dpi.nsw.gov.au
• in SA on 08 8207 7814 or pirsa.planthealthmarketaccess@sa.gov.au.

What can I do to minimise biosecurity risks on farm?

Farmers should take action to minimise the risk of pests and weeds being brought onto your property through fodder:

• Ensure fodder is sourced from a reputable source wherever possible.
• Feed out in a confined area to reduce the likelihood of weeds being spread throughout your property.
• Monitor hay feed-out areas regularly for any new weeds emerging and control as soon as possible.

For further information on actions you can take to reduce weed risk, visit Reducing weed risk.

All introduced stock feeds, including hay, should be accompanied by a commodity vendor declaration to guarantee that the feed purchased is safe from chemical contamination. A commodity vendor declaration template can be found at Stock foods, fodder crops, grain and pasture treatments

Key reminders – before you import fodder

Agriculture Victoria recommends sourcing fodder and hay from outside any biosecurity risk zones; however, if you choose to source fodder from inside a biosecurity risk zone:

• review relevant entry conditions
• contact Agriculture Victoria at market.access@agriculture.vic.gov.au
• Fill out the PBP application form [MS Word Document - 78.3 KB] as best you can and submit it to market.access@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Agriculture Victoria will contact you within 2 working days to discuss and assess your permit application.

Once you receive the plant biosecurity permit, ensure you understand the conditions listed and confirm that you are able to comply.

Further help

For further information or assistance with applying for a permit, please contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or email market.access@agriculture.vic.gov.au