Biosecurity Act 2025

The relevant Chief Officer may, by written notice to a registered entity, suspend the biosecurity registration of the registered entity if the relevant Chief Officer is satisfied that there are grounds for the suspension of registration.

A notice under subsection (1) must specify—

the grounds for the suspension; and

the date or time from which the suspension takes effect; and

the period of suspension; and

the actions required, if any, for the suspension to be lifted.

Before suspending the biosecurity registration of a registered entity, the relevant Chief Officer must—

give written notice to the registered entity of the relevant Chief

Officer's intention to suspend the biosecurity registration and the proposed grounds for doing so; and

allow the registered entity at least 14 days to make a submission to the relevant Chief Officer about the proposed suspension before the suspension is to occur; and

take into account any submission made to the relevant Chief Officer by the registered entity before the deadline for the making of a submission.

The relevant Chief Officer is not required to give notice under subsection (3) of a proposed suspension if the relevant Chief Officer is of the opinion that the suspension is required urgently because of the biosecurity impact of the regulated dealing being carried out by the registered entity, or in an emergency.

However, if the relevant Chief Officer suspends a registered entity's biosecurity registration without giving notice under subsection (3), the relevant Chief Officer must—

give the registered entity written notice of the grounds of the suspension as soon as practicable after the suspension occurs; and

invite the registered entity to make a submission to the relevant Chief

Officer about the suspension by a specified deadline (being at least

14 days after the notice is given to the registered entity).

If the registered entity makes a submission to the relevant Chief

Officer about the suspension before the specified deadline, the relevant Chief Officer must—

decide whether the suspension should be revoked or continued, having regard to that submission; and

give written notice of that decision to the registered entity.

A notice under subsection (1) or (6) must also provide information about the right to apply for a review of the decision to suspend the registration under Part 13.