Alerts

The interim Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) launched on 1 January 2024, and is presently located within the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. The CDC will be established in a phased approach, pending a decision from Government on the final scope and functions. Further information on the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control is available on their website.

It is anticipated that the CDC will become a standalone agency in 2025, pending the passage of legislation and other operational considerations. This will have flow-on effects on import permit conditions for certain commodities.

Pending commencement of a standalone agency, previously issued import permits for affected commodities will continue to refer to the Department of Health and Aged Care in the permit conditions. New import permits for affected commodities will then refer to the Australian Centre for Disease Control in the permit conditions, instead of the Department of Health and Aged Care.

Existing permit holders and any new import permit applicants are not required to take any action.

Importers will be notified when a date is set for the CDC to become a standalone agency.

Who does this alert affect:
Importers of human fluids and tissues, antibodies, microorganisms and infectious agents, laboratory material and genetic material. 

Further information:
If you have any questions, please contact the department on 1800 900 090 (prompt 1, prompt 1) or via email at imports@aff.gov.au.