Interstate Trade restrictions due to Tomato Potato Psyllid
By Flower Industry Australia | 22 December 2025
Tasmania adopts PS-60 pathway
Biosecurity Tasmania has now formally adopted the PS-60 (inspection and secure packaging) pathway, with only minor amendments. This means Victorian businesses accredited under PS-60 can continue to send cut flowers into Tasmania under a clear, practical certification system. This is a really positive outcome and reflects the importance of our advocacy.
The application form can be downloaded here and authorised signatory documents here. To apply, fill these out and email forms to biosecurityservicescentre@agriculture.vic.gov.au
What does PS-60 cost businesses?
I’ve received some queries about the costs associated with PS-60. The only direct cost for businesses operating under PS-60 is the purchase of a book of Plant Health Assurance Certificates (PHACs). A book of 100 PHACs costs $23.45.
There are no additional accreditation, audit or inspection fees associated with PS-60 at this time. I have confirmed that Agriculture Victoria has waived specific plant biosecurity fees and charges in response to the TPP market access changes.
Service delivery fee waivers apply to:
Application fees
Audits
Issuance of non-conformance reports
These waivers are in place from 1 October 2025 to 30 June 2026.
A message to the supply chain
Given the minimal costs involved, we strongly encourage suppliers not to apply additional charges related to PS-60 accreditation or certification. This pathway has been designed to support continuity of trade and minimise disruption across the supply chain.
As always, please feel free to reach out if you have questions or need help navigating the process. Our email is info@flowerindustryaustralia.com.au
By Flower Industry Australia (FIA) | 12 December 2025
Due to the high volume of accreditation applications received, we have successfully advocated for another extension to the grace period, which now extends until 11.59pm Monday 22 December 2025. You can find more information at this link.
Please ensure you have applied for accreditation so your application can be processed before this new date.
If you have questions, email info@flowerindustryaustralia.com.au or call 0403 322 992.
By Flower Industry Australia (FIA) | 12 December 2025
I wanted to share a brief update on where things are at with interstate movement of Victorian cut flowers.
Queensland: extension request in progress
I have requested that Queensland extend the current 12 December deadline for Victorian businesses to hold PS-60 or PS-66 accreditation.
The request is being considered by Queensland, and we are waiting on advice. The basis of the request is that Agriculture Victoria has received a very high volume of applications and some businesses may not be fully accredited by today, despite applying promptly and engaging in good faith.
As soon as we receive a clear response from Queensland, I will update you.
If you have made an application to Agriculture Victoria, ensure you have listed PS-60 as the arrangement you are applying for and that you have attached the authorised signatory form.
PS-60: the right pathway for wholesalers
We have confirmed with Agriculture Victoria that PS-60 (inspection and secure packaging) is also an appropriate pathway for:
• Wholesalers and distributors who are inspecting, packing and dispatching consignments interstate, and
• Businesses operating from the Melbourne Market or similar hubs.
Agriculture Victoria webinar
The webinar hosted by Agriculture Victoria on Tuesday can now be viewed online at this link.
Tasmania: pathways under active consideration
Biosecurity Tasmania has put in place a two-week grace period and is now actively considering recognition of:
• PS-60 (inspection + secure packaging), and
• PS-66 (property freedom from TPP)
We are in direct contact with the Tasmanian team and have provided further information on the importance of continued interstate trade.
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If you have specific concerns about your business or pathway, please feel free to reply to this email or call me on 0403 322 992.
By Flower Industry Australia (FIA) | 9 December 2025
Firstly, I have confirmed with Biosecurity Tasmania that there is a two-week grace period, and that flowers can continue to be sent to Tasmania ahead of Christmas. We will continue to have discussions with them about adopting PS60 and PS66.
Secondly, Agriculture Victoria will hold a webinar tomorrow on Wednesday, December 10 from 2 – 2:30pm to provide a high-level update on the current situation and the currently available accreditations, what they cover and what states they are for. To attend, fill in this form: Tomato potato psyllid update webinar – Fill in form. For further information please contact: publicinformation.STPTEPP@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
Lastly, The PS 60 documents have been released and you can download them below to better understand requirements.
PS-60 Inspection of Carrier Produce for Tomato Potato Psyllid
Standard Operating Procedure: Completion of Plant Health Assurance Certificates
I’ve had a few queries from wholesalers and my interpretation of these documents is that wholesalers should apply for PS-60 and become accredited, as this is about inspection and secure packaging, which wholesalers can do. I am confirming this with Agriculture Victoria.
The process for business accreditation will take approximately 5 working days after submitting a completed application. You will need to:
Fill out the application of accreditation and the authorised signatory form.
Once your application is processed, you will receive links to the required eLearning modules.
The eLearning modules and assessments replace the usual face-to-face initial audit, streamlining the accreditation process.
After successfully completing these modules and assessments, you will be issued a Certificate of Accreditation.
Submit the forms via email to biosecurityservicescentre@agriculture.vic.gov.au
It advised that flower businesses (growers and wholesalers) apply for accreditation immediately to ensure that they are in the system as Agriculture Victoria have many incoming requests from businesses across Victoria.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Anna directly on 0403 322 992 or by emailing info@flowerindustryaustralia.com.au
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By Flower Industry Australia (FIA) | 8 December 2025
Fabulous news!! As a result of our advocacy, Queensland as agreed to provide Victorian businesses can continue trade unaffected until the Friday 12 December (midnight) so cut flowers can continue to trade into Queensland without accreditation until then.
There will be two new accreditations that cut flower businesses will be able to apply for, PS 60 which is focused on inspection and secure packaging and PS 66 which will be to prove property freedom.
Flower businesses, including wholesalers, will be able to use whichever suits to access the Queensland market from the 12 December once accredited. I recommend PS-60, inspection and secure packaging in the interim, as the process will be simpler than property freedom.
Businesses can apply for an PS 60 or PS 66 accreditation, by completing the attached Application for Accreditation and Authorised Signatory Form(s) and submitting the form via email: biosecurityservicescentre@agriculture.vic.gov.au
If you are applying for both, complete two separate forms.
The process for business accreditation will take approximately 5 working days after submitting a completed application. You will need to:
Fill out the application of accreditation and the authorised signatory form.
Once your application is processed, you will receive links to the required eLearning modules.
The eLearning modules and assessments replace the usual face-to-face initial audit, streamlining the accreditation process.
After successfully completing these modules and assessments, you will be issued a Certificate of Accreditation.
It advised that flower businesses apply for accreditation immediately to ensure that they are in the system as Agriculture Victoria have many incoming requests from businesses across Victoria.
I will upload further updated documentation later today when they are released.
Regarding trade into Tasmania, Biosecurity Tasmania have advised there is a two-week transition period, so flowers can continue to enter until that ends. Tasmania have not officially agreed to PS60 and PS66 at this stage. If you supply to both Queensland and Tasmania, I suggest applying for both, while we wait for further information.
The application form can be downloaded here and authorised signatory documents here. Please apply today and email forms to biosecurityservicescentre@agriculture.vic.gov.au
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact me directly on 0403 322 992 or by emailing anna@flowerindustryaustralia.com.au
By Flower Industry Australia (FIA) | 5 December 2025
Update: We are cautiously optimistic that a pest-free site of production pathway will be agreed to by Queensland and Tasmania, which would mean growers can move to become accredited. This would allow Victorian flower growers to demonstrate their property is TPP-free and be able to send carrier cut flowers interstate under certification.
This pathway will not require methyl bromide or irradiation or destructive treatment method. It will be a surveillance, monitoring and certification system that growers can implement on farm, and is what we have been advocating for.
What’s happening from Monday
Due to new Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP) requirements coming into force next week, it is expected that interstate trade in carrier cut flowers from Victoria into Queensland and Tasmania will effectively halt from Tuesday 9 December 2025.
Flowers can still arrive on Monday.
This is due to there being no approved treatment pathway or Interstate Certification Assurance (ICA) arrangement in place for carrier cut flowers.
Movements for carrier cut flowers from Victoria to NSW, SA and WA are expected to continue.
Movements for host cut flowers will be prohibited in NSW, Tasmania & South Australia (SA exempt if there are no leaves attached) and restricted to the Northern Territory (subject to ICA-04) and Queensland (subject to PS-65).
What this means
If you supply Queensland or Tasmania directly (wholesalers, florists, supermarkets, events), you should plan on the basis that you may not be able to send cut flowers in from Monday until a new pathway is agreed.
If you trade via wholesalers who on-sell into Queensland or Tasmania, please contact them urgently to clarify any changes to orders and logistics.
What FIA is doing
Flower Industry Australia is:
In daily contact with Agriculture Victoria and Queensland authorities about this issue.
Urging jurisdictions to develop a practical and viable movement pathway that allows Victorian cut flowers to enter Queensland and Tasmania under defined treatment and inspection conditions.
Highlighting the significant economic impact of a complete halt to trade.
Seeking clarity on timeframes, whether we are dealing with a disruption of days, weeks, or longer.
As soon as there is any confirmed interim or long-term solution (for example, a new ICA, accepted treatment protocol, or pest-free place of production pathway), we will communicate this immediately.
We are particularly advocating expediting a pest-free place of production pathway and/or the inclusion of cut flowers in plant health certificate arrangements.
What you can do now
Review your forward orders into Queensland and Tasmania.
Keep an eye on email updates from FIA over the coming days, we will share new information as soon as we receive it.
If you’re unsure whether your products are affected, please reach out and we will do our best to help you interpret the latest advice.
A webinar was held by Agriculture Victoria on Tuesday: You can watch it here.
For further information from the department please contact: publicinformation.STPTEPP@agriculture.vic.gov.au
For more information about TPP visit: Tomato Potato Psyllid
For more on interstate trade business requirements, visit: Tomato potato psyllid information for businesses
If you are impacted or would like to contribute to advocacy for a solution, please let me know. You can contact me directly on 0403 322 992 or by emailiing anna@flowerindustryaustralia.com.au
