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Case Glossary

Search Import Questions Import Conditions Onshore Outcomes

Case: Plant material for research purposes Effective 22 Jan 2022 to 17 Feb 2022

Glossary

The following provides a definition of words or phrases that are found within the text. Some of these have a special meaning in relation to the importation or treatment of goods entering Australia and may be important to understand in meeting the requirements for import.

Term Definition
Approved Arrangement Site (AA Site)

An arrangement approved under Section 406 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cwlth) which permits a biosecurity industry participant to carry out specified activities to manage biosecurity risks associated with particular goods, premises or other things.
biological material

Biological material means any material originating from an animal, plant, microorganism or microbial source, but does not include human material.
desiccated

A method used to preserve plant tissue where small amounts are placed into a container with silica beads or granules. The silica gel draws moisture out of the samples preserving the material in a fully dried state.
freeze dried

A method used to dehydrate samples to preserve them. Samples are usually frozen at temperatures between -50°C to -80°C and then undergo further drying.
freeze drying

See freeze dried
goods

Goods include:

  1. An animal
  2. A plant
  3. A sample or specimen of a disease agent
  4. A pest
  5. Mail; and
  6. Any other article substance or thing.

Goods does not include ballast water or human remains. It also does not include a conveyance, except in certain circumstances.
import permit application

The department will assess the application and on the basis of that assessment may decide to grant an import permit subject to any conditions deemed necessary for safe importation, use and disposal of those products.

It should be noted that applying for an import permit does not automatically result in an import permit being issued. The Director of biosecurity or their delegate issues the import permit. You should ensure that an application is submitted for each product type and that the prescribed fee accompanies the import permit application.
infectious agent

Infectious agent includes any of the following:

1. a virus;

2. a prion;

3. a plasmid;

4. a viroid;

5. a thing that is a part of an infectious agent.

Examples: For the purposes of point 5, capsids, envelopes, enzymes, genetic material coding for an infectious agent, proteins.

pathogen

Infectious microorganisms that cause disease in plants. These include bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, phytoplasmas, viroids and viruses.
RNAlater®

A solution used to protect RNA in plant cells and tissues by preserving the RNA for later analysis.