Request a Demo1. Competent authority
Competent authority | Responsibilities |
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
| DAFF enforces the Food Standards Code at the border in relation to imported food. Its responsibilities involve:
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Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) | FSANZ does not enforce the Food Standards Code. Its responsibilities involve:
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2. Market access approval
2.1 Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON)
Beore importing dairy products into Australia, it is essential to check the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON). BICON provides guidance on whether a dairy product is permitted for import and outlines any specific conditions that must be met, such as obtaining an import permit or undergoing treatment. DAFF has identified nine import scenarios for dairy products, many of which are further categorized based on whether the products are manufactured in countries recognized by the Australian Director of Biosecurity as free from foot and mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD). These scenarios include:
Goods containing less than 10 percent dairy
Chocolate and imitation chocolate
Clarified butter oil and ghee
Lactose and its derivatives
Dairy products for personal use (including infant formula, cheese and butter)
Dairy products (including colostrum) from New Zealand
Colostrum from countries other than New Zealand for non-personal use
Cheese or butter
Other dairy products (including infant formula)
2.2 Mandatory Foreign Government Certification for Risk Foods
Australia mandates foreign government certification for certain food imports, including specific dairy products. This certification, issued by the exporting country, is required for importing human milk and human milk products and raw milk cheese.
2.3 Food Safety Management Certification for Risk Foods
A food safety management certificate serves as proof that a food product has been produced under a recognized food safety management system. Dairy products classified as "risk foods" and requiring such certification include:
Cheese in which the growth of Listeria monocytogenes can occur
Raw milk cheese
Human milk and human milk products
2.4 Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS)
Australia operates the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS), a risk-based inspection program that categorizes foods as risk foods, surveillance foods, or compliance agreement foods.
Risk Foods: Inspections begin at 100% and are adjusted based on the product’s compliance history. Examples include raw milk cheese.
Surveillance Foods: Approximately 5% of these consignments are referred for inspection. An example is powdered infant formula.
Compliance Agreement Foods: Foods imported under a Food Import Compliance Agreement (FICA) fall under this category.
3. Product compliance
3.1 Product requirements
Dairy products in Australia must comply with the product requirements as shown in the table below:
Items | Key Provisions |
Product standards | |
Substances added to foods | Schedule 15 – Substances that may be used as food additives of the Food Standards Code Schedule 17 – Vitamins and minerals of the Food Standards Code |
Contaminants | Schedule 19 – Maximum levels of contaminants and natural toxicants |
3.2 Label
Dairy products should follow the labeling requirements in the Part 1.2 Labelling and other information requirements of the Food Standards Code. All information must be displayed in a manner that is legible, prominent, unambiguous, and written in English. In addition, businesses need to follow the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard and National Trade Measurement Regulations.
Core labeling items of dairy products include name of the food, lot identification, net quantity, name and business address of the supplier, country of origin labelling, advisory statements, warning statements and allergen declaration, statement of ingredients, date marking information, storage conditions and directions for use, nutrition information panel (NIP) and more. For more details, please refer to ChemLinked FoodCheck on Labeling.
* Global Food Compliance Service
We provide various market entry services to help stakeholders better understand exporting requirements, establish business, and secure a competitive place to facilitate trade development.
Covered Countries
China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
Our Services
Food Ingredient Review
Label Review
Product Registration
Regulatory Consultation
Monitoring, Training and Customized report
Please feel free to contact us via food@chemlinked.com if you need any help.
