Quarantine Approved Premises
7.1 - Fresh Water and Marine Ornamental Fin Fish
Criteria
Version 3.0
QAP for Fresh Water and Marine Ornamental Fin Fish
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This publication (and any material sourced from it) should be attributed as: Approved Arrangements
section, 2014, QAP for Fresh Water and Marine Ornamental Fin Fish, (QAP for Fresh Water and Marine
Ornamental Fin Fish Criteria - prepared for the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources),
Canberra.
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
Postal address GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Switchboard +61 2 6272 3933
Web agriculture.gov.au
Inquiries regarding the licence and any use of this document should be sent to:
copyright@agriculture.gov.au.
The Australian Government acting through the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the
department) has exercised due care and skill in the preparation and compilation of the information and
data in this publication. Notwithstanding, the department, its employees and advisers disclaim all liability,
including liability for negligence, for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a
result of accessing, using or relying upon any of the information or data in this publication to the maximum
extent permitted by law.
Version control
Updates to this document will occur automatically on the department’s website and the revision table
below will list the amendments as they are approved.
Date
Version
Amendments
Approved by
9 May 2011
1.0
Revised document
Co-regulation and Support Program
30 June 2013
1.1
Updated departmental branding
Industry Arrangements Reform
Program
Decemember
2014
2.0

Updated departmental
branding

Added criterion p) under the
Quarantine area heading
Approved Arrangements section
Updated:
January 2016
Version 3.0
3.0

departmental branding

Work practices criteria.
Approved Arrangements section
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Table of contents
Guide to using this document
4
Definitions
4
Other documents
4
Non-conformity guide
4
QAP criteria
5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Purpose ......................................................................................................................................................5
Premises location .......................................................................................................................................5
Security .......................................................................................................................................................5
Quarantine area .........................................................................................................................................5
Building and storage areas .........................................................................................................................8
Inspection area ...........................................................................................................................................8
Hygiene.......................................................................................................................................................8
Waste disposal ...........................................................................................................................................9
Work practices ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Office and record requirements............................................................................................................ 12
Administration....................................................................................................................................... 13
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Guide to using this document
This document sets out the requirements that must be met before the Director of Quarantine will
consider approval of a premises to operate as a place for the performance of quarantine under section
46A of the Quarantine Act 1908, otherwise known as a Quarantine Approved Premises (QAP).
This QAP criteria specifies the requirements to be met for the approval, operation and audit of this class
of QAP. Compliance with the QAP criteria will be assessed by audit.
In the event of any inconsistency between the QAP criteria and any Import Permit condition, the Import
Permit condition applies. If the Applicant chooses to use automatic language translation services in
connection with this document, it is done so at the Applicant’s risk.
Unless specified otherwise, any references to ‘the department’ or ‘departmental’ means the Department
of Agriculture and Water Rescources. Any references to contacting the department mean contacting your
closest regional office.
Further information on QAPs, QAP regional contact details and copies of relevant QAP documentation is
available on the department’s website: agriculture.gov.au.
Definitions
Definitions that are not contained within the Approved Arrangements Glossary can be found in the most
recent edition of the Macquarie Dictionary or in the Quarantine Act 1908.
Other documents
The QAP Conditions of Approval and QAP General Policies should be read in conjunction with this QAP
criteria. They will assist in understanding and complying with the obligations and requirements for the
establishment and operation of a QAP.
Nonconformity guide
The nonconformity classification against each criterion is provided as a guide only. If more than one
nonconformity is listed against a criterion, the actual nonconformity applied will correspond to the gravity
of the issue. The nonconformity recorded against any criteria remains at the discretion of the Quarantine
Officer.
Nonconformity classifications are detailed in the QAP General Policies.
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QAP criteria
Criteria
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1 Purpose
1.1
Premises utilised for the purpose of holding live fish while undergoing a
period of quarantine.
N/A
2 Premises location
2.1
Applications for approval are required to be accompanied by details of the
premises proximity to salmonoid hatcheries, watercourses or areas subject
to frequent flooding.
Major
2.2
Premises must generally be located within the metropolitan area of a
declared port that has a permanently based Quarantine Officer.
Applications are subject to approval by the Director of Quarantine and will
be considered on their individual merits with consideration being given to
the quarantine risk and serviceability associated with the location of each
premises.
N/A
3 Security
3.1
Ingress and egress points and areas where goods subject to quarantine are
stored, handled, treated or inspected must display a quarantine sign.
These signs are to be:




permanently affixed
professionally made
made to state 'Quarantine Area - Authorised Persons Only'
on a yellow background, with black lettering approximately 5 cm in
height
secured on gates and/or doors and visible at all times.
Major
Access to the quarantine areas must be limited to persons employed by
the premises. Premises employees at all times must accompany visitors to
the quarantine areas including Quarantine Officers.
Major

3.2
4 Quarantine area
4.1
The fish holding capacity of the quarantine area (quarantine room) must
be of a commensurate size with the proposed quantity of goods being
handled and must be located within a secure lockable building, or within a
building that is located in an area surrounded by a lockable person-proof
security fence.
4.2
The quarantine area may share a building with other areas, that are used
for other purposes (including fish wholesale or retail activities), but the
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quarantine area must be separate and not used as an access way to other
parts of the building.
4.3
The quarantine area is not to be used for any purpose other than as a place
for the performance of quarantine. Facilities shall not be utilised for other
purposes, such as the general storage of fish tanks etc.
Minor
4.4
No animals other than fish and live fish food are permitted in the
quarantine area.
Minor or major
4.5
The quarantine area must comply with the following:


windows must be fly screened to prevent the entry of insects
the floor to be constructed of concrete, tiles, or other impervious
material to enable hose down and disinfection with retention of water
and be sufficiently smooth with sufficient grade (grade applies to
freshwater fish premises only) to drain to an approved septic tank,
municipal sewerage or enclosed holding tank.
Note: Waste water not draining to an approved septic tank or sewerage
system must be collected in a holding tank and treated (see Waste
Disposal) prior to release.





floor to wall junctions are to be effectively sealed or water proof
coving provided at floor to wall junctions. Walls to be constructed of
impervious materials and be sufficiently smooth to enable hose down
and disinfection. Gaps and cracks in the walls, floor and ceiling to be
effectively sealed
lighting of sufficient intensity, to allow proper inspection of fish, must
be provided - it may be necessary to provide supplementary lighting in
the form of a hand held electric light (with a double insulated lead) if
tanks are insufficiently illuminated
floor drainage with an insertable plug or other mechanism to prevent
accidental escape of fish or uncontrolled release of water. Drainage
must be to an approved septic tank, municipal sewer or enclosed
holding tank.
doors must have a self-closer to ensure it remains shut after entry, or
there must be a self-closing insect proof screen door installed
facilities must be provided for staff and Quarantine Officers to wash
their hands prior to leaving the quarantine area.
Major
4.6
Fish holding tanks must:




be identified with permanent placements of numbers or letters on the
tanks
be fitted with lids or other suitable arrangements to prevent
transmission of pathogens between adjacent tanks due to splash from
the aeration/filter system, and to prevent fish escaping
be arranged in a manner which permits ready access for inspection
purposes, including a minimum width of 75 cm for corridors between
rows of tanks or tanks and walls
other than the fish, contain only sterilisable materials (e.g. plastic),
provided that these materials do not interfere with fish inspection
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have at least the front and sides transparent to provide good visibility,
and be stacked for adequate viewing.
4.7
Fish must be removed from the quarantine area following their satisfactory Minor
completion of the quarantine period.
4.8
A suitable wash-up trough must be located in the quarantine area for
cleaning and disinfection of equipment. A suitable draining rack must be
provided for air drying of equipment. An approved disinfectant must be
available at the wash-up trough.
Major
4.9
A designated refrigerator or deep freeze must be provided solely for the
storage and preservation of dead fish. The refrigerator or deep freeze must
be clearly identified as being for quarantine use only and located within or
close to the quarantine area; if outside the quarantine area it must be
lockable.
Major
4.10
Premises must have facilities for the sterilisation of equipment which
comes in contact with fish or tank water during the quarantine period.
Major
4.11
Facilities must be available for proper disinfection of overseas water (and
other waste water where necessary) to department approved standards
(see Waste Disposal).
Major
4.12
Fish must be in department approved containers (usually glass tanks or
jars).
Major
4.13
Additional Standards (if applicable):




if a Quarantine Officer provides approval for fish to remain in the
quarantine area after release from quarantine these fish must meet
quarantine requirements while they remain in the quarantine area
where separate consignments of freshwater fish share a water
reticulation system, fish may only be approved for release from
quarantine when the last consignment of fish to enter the system has
satisfactorily completed its quarantine requirements
where separate consignments of fish share a water reticulation
system, then fish sharing the system may be subject to quarantine risk
management measures, (e.g. destruction, treatment or detention
beyond the normal quarantine period) in the event that disease agents
or pests of quarantine concern are suspected
where the department has reason to believe at the end of the
quarantine detention period that the fish still present an unacceptable
risk of disease or pest introduction, fish may be kept in quarantine
detention for further investigation, observation, treatment, testing or
for any other purpose appropriate to the circumstances. If the risk
cannot be effectively managed, destruction of the fish will be ordered.
The cost associated with any of these measures will be borne by the
importer.
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4.14
The quarantine area must be structurally separated from operations
undertaken by legal entities other than the entity operating the approved
premises. The structure/barrier employed to provide the required
separation must ensure security of goods subject to quarantine and
prevent against access by unauthorised persons.
Minor or major
4.15
Access to the quarantine premises must be through property owned,
rented or leased by the licensee and must be available to Quarantine
Officers during normal business hours and at such time that fish are
entering or leaving the premises. The licensee must notify the department
of the times when the premises will be attended and any alterations to the
regular hours.
Major
4.16
Where individual fish are held in isolation from fish of the same species
and consignment, a single tank unit will be considered to comprise vessels
(e.g. jars) holding fish of that species imported under that consignment.

vessels holding individual fish must be:
Major
a) clearly linked to their applicable tank unit by a visual identifier
b) held on an impervious surface
c) segregated by tank unit

accredited persons must be made available to provide labour to
support presentation of vessels for inspection upon request.
Minor
5 Building and storage areas
5.1
Buildings and structures must be maintained in a state of good repair and
be weather-proof. Wall and floor junctions must be sealed, or some other
measure must be in place to ensure that vegetation does not grow into the
building.
Major
5.2
Buildings, designated quarantine areas and quarantine inspection areas
(including storage and receival zones, chutes etc), must be kept clean.
Cargo and packaging residues, contaminants and spillages must be cleaned
up and correctly disposed of as quarantine waste without delay.
Minor or major
6 Inspection area
6.1
The quarantine and inspection areas must allow for Quarantine Officers to
easily inspect goods without work health and safety risks.
Major
7 Hygiene
7.1
An effective pest control system must be in place to ensure that facilities
are managed in a way that effectively isolates goods subject to quarantine
from environments in which pest and disease are likely to become
established. As a minimum this will require the premises to implement,
and keep associated records of a periodic inspection regime and ensure
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knockdown spray (i.e. standard household aerosol insecticide spray) is kept
on-site at all times. A document outlining pest control measures must be
available to the department for audit purposes. In addition to details of the
inspection regime and the on-site location of the knockdown spray, this
document may include:



the use of insecticides, fumigation, rodenticides, periodic inspection,
baits and/or traps
a site plan with numbered bait stations
if applicable, contract details.
Note: The operations of adjacent facilities must be considered when
determining any additional pest control measures to be implemented.
7.2
There must be adequate equipment available in order to carry out cleaning
(steam/high pressure) and chemical disinfection spraying operations as
directed by Quarantine Officers.
Major
8 Waste disposal
8.1
The sterilisation of waste water (including overseas water) shall be in
accordance with one of the following or an alternative method approved
by the department:

Hypochlorite treatment:
a) water must pass through a department approved filter capable of
removing suspended organic material prior to hypochlorite
treatment
b) water must pass to a retention vessel where sufficient
hypochlorite must be added to achieve a final concentration of at
least 200 ppm. Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) should be used at 1.6
millilitres of hypochlorite solution (12.5% available chlorine) per
litre of water, while calcium hypochlorite powder (e.g. Pool Chlor,
65-70% available chlorine) should be used at 0.3 g of powder per
litre of water
c) following addition of hypochlorite, waste water must be agitated
for at least 10 minutes to ensure thorough mixing of hypochlorite
and retained for a period of not less than 1 hour
d) after the 1 hour retention period, the chlorine in the waste water
may be neutralised by adding sodium thiosulphate (photographic
hypo) at a rate of 1.25 g (2.5 ml of 50% sodium thiosulphate
solution) per litre of treated waste water, then agitated for not less
than 10 minutes before discharge

Major
Heat treatment:
Water heating units must be approved by the department. Such units shall
be fitted with temperature and flow recorders and be able to heat water
to 85°C for thirty minutes.
8.2
The premises must supply the equipment required to carry out the
disinfection of overseas water in accordance with the above procedure.
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8.3
Dead fish may only be disposed of as directed by the department.
Major
8.4
Overseas water carrying live freshwater ornamental finfish must be
disinfected prior to disposal (see Waste Disposal).
Major
8.5
Waste disposal:


freshwater ornamental finfish: waste water (other than overseas
water), discharged from the quarantine area must enter directly to an
approved septic tank, municipal sewerage system or may be sterilised
as described under Ref No 520, Waste Disposal. Where waste water is
sterilised it may be discharged elsewhere, provided that it does not
flow directly into natural waterways
marine ornamental finfish: waste water (including overseas water),
discharged from the Quarantine area must enter directly to an
approved septic tank, municipal sewerage system or may be sterilised
as described under Waste Disposal. Sterilised waste water must not be
discharged directly into natural waterways.
Major
8.6
The disinfection of equipment shall be in accordance with the following
procedures:


tanks and tank equipment be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with
hypochlorite solution at 200 ppm concentration for 5 minutes or with
an iodophore containing iodine for 5 minutes or by other department
approved disinfection procedures before removal from the quarantine
area
filter material must be disposed of by incineration, deep burial (by a
department approved company) or other approved method.
8.7
Wet bags, boxes and cartons must be either disinfected or disposed of by a
department approved method.
Major
Major
9 Work practices
9.1
Packaging utilised to transport live overseas fish must comply with the
following procedures:



any damaged bags, damaged polystyrene boxes and cartons that are
wet or contaminated with overseas water must be either incinerated
(at a department approved facility) or disinfected by a department
approved method prior to disposal
imported bags and polystyrene boxes containing leaked overseas
water, which are in good condition may be reused provided they are
first disinfected by a department approved method
boxes and cartons which are free of overseas water may be reused
without disinfection.
9.2
Each tank of freshwater ornamental finfish must only contain a single fish
species and be kept separate and isolated from fish from other shipments.
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9.3
Nets and other equipment must be disinfected in the quarantine area by a
method approved by the department before being used for other
consignments of fish.
Major
9.4
Equipment, footwear and protective clothing used in the quarantine area
must be restricted to this site. Equipment can only be removed from the
quarantine area after disinfection in a manner approved by the
department.
Major
9.5
Fish found dead on arrival or that die during the quarantine period must be
placed in labelled plastic bags as soon as possible and preserved (in a
refrigerator or freezer) for examination by a Quarantine Officer.
Information on labels must identify the tank number. Dead fish must be
held for inspection by a Quarantine Officer.
Major
9.6
Equipment that has been in contact with dead fish must be disinfected
before re-use.
Major
9.7
Freshwater ornamental finfish must be transferred by net to new water in
the quarantine area and the overseas water must be subjected to a
department approved disinfection treatment.
Major
9.8
Each tank of marine ornamental finfish may contain different species but
only from the same shipment.
Major
9.9
A standard Quarantine Tank Record Sheet must be maintained for each
tank (see Office and Record Requirements).
Major
9.10
Nets, tanks and other equipment must be disinfected prior to removal
from the quarantine area.
Major
9.11
Staff and visitors must leave their footwear outside the quarantine area,
and use separate footwear or use disposable overshoes within the
quarantine area, or use a footbath on entry and exit. The footwear
standards must comply with one of the following:



suitable protective footwear must be kept inside the quarantine area
(street footwear left outside the quarantine area). Prior to protective
footwear being removed from the quarantine area, they must be
cleaned in an approved disinfectant such as Betadine (5% solution)
disposable overshoes used provided they are destroyed after use by
deep burial, incineration or autoclave at a department approved
facility
a footbath containing a suitable disinfectant such as Hypochlorite or
Betadine or other department approved disinfectant. The bath must
be routinely replenished for adequate disinfection, a record of bath
maintenance maintained and a sign stating 'Footwear must be
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immersed in footbath on entry to and exit from premises'
appropriately displayed.
9.12
Waste water disposals must be by a method approved by the department
and must not flow directly into natural waterways.
Major or critical
9.13
Filter material must be disinfected prior to removal from the quarantine
area or disposed of by incineration or deep burial (at a department
approved facility).
Major
9.14
Staff and visitors who have had contact with water or fish must wash their
hands with soap and water prior to exiting the quarantine area.
Major
9.15
Any unusual levels of mortality or unusual signs of disease/pest (levels of
mortality or illness above that normally observed in imported fish) must be
reported to the department immediately.
Major
9.16
Aquarium chemicals, treatments and antibiotics must not be used during
the mandatory quarantine period for ornamental finfish without the
departments written approval.
Note: A list of chemicals, treatments and antibiotics approved by the
department is available on the department’s ornamental finfish webpage.
Major
9.17
The use of any chemical, treatment or antibiotic must be recorded on the
Quarantine Tank Record Sheets.
Major
9.18
The importer must ensure that no fish leave the quarantine area under any
circumstances without department approval, excepting dead fish moved to
a nearby lockable refrigerator or freezer.
Major or critical
9.19
On completion of quarantine, freshwater fish are to be transferred by net
into clean water prior to removal from the quarantine area.
Minor
10 Office and record requirements
10.1
Records (electronic or manual) of goods subject to quarantine imported
through the premises must be maintained (these can be commercial
documents).
Major
10.2
A corresponding Quarantine Tank Record Sheet shall be maintained for
each consignment/shipment and must be kept up to date at all times. This
sheet will display: quarantine entry number, tank number, number and
species of fish in tank, exporter identification details including country of
export, importers name, number and date of arrival, consignment or
airway bill number, fish dead on arrival, details of any observed disease
conditions and number of sick fish, daily record of number of fish deaths in
tank, details of any treatments given, disposal details, disinfection details,
Major
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signature of authorising Quarantine Officer and date released, and number
of fish released.
10.3
Unusually high mortalities or incidence of disease must be reported to a
Quarantine Officer immediately. Dead fish may only be disposed of in
accordance with quarantine directions given at the time.
Major
10.4
A departmental quarantine entry must be kept for each consignment.
Major
10.5
Prophylactic or therapeutic treatments of fish must be recorded on the
Quarantine Tank Record Sheet.
Major
10.6
Overseas and waste water treatment, filter disposal, and footbath
maintenance must be recorded on the Quarantine Treatment and Disposal
Record Sheet or in a logbook. Where waste water treatment, filter disposal
and footbath maintenance is recorded in a logbook the minimum details
required are those on the Quarantine Treatment and Disposal Record
Sheet.
Minor or major
10.7
Office and general premises requirements must provide the department
with the confidence that applicable work health and safety standards have
been met, this is achieved by:




providing a first aid cabinet/kit which is fully stocked and meets the
minimum commercial Australian Standard (AS2675-1983: Portable first
aid kits for use by consumers)
providing vehicle parking for visiting Quarantine Officers (note: this
may require identified parking or providing a parking permit)
ensuring adequate security for any departmental technical equipment
left on the premises
providing access and the availability of:
o
a desk, chair and a telephone with direct outside call access
o
toilet facilities
o
hand washing facilities and a hygienic means of drying hands
o
suitable arrangements to ensure amenities are clean.
Minor or major
11 Administration
11.1
Premises must be securely locked when unattended and after hour access
to the premises must be limited to authorised persons only.
Major or critical
11.2
Control and security of the quarantine area is the responsibility of the
nominated senior person of the company. The name, designation/position
title and contact details of the nominated person must be supplied with
the application and at each renewal.
Minor or major
11.3
Departmental instructions and relevant Import Permit conditions must be
complied with. Where goods are handled for a third party, it is a
requirement of approval that establishment operators have an
Major or critical
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arrangement in place that ensures they are aware of any relevant permit
conditions.
Note: That a breach of this clause may lead to suspension of the approval
as a QAP.
11.4
To ensure conformance to the QAP criteria, the department must be
notified in writing, at least 15 working days of any:


alterations to QAP management arrangements
contemplated modifications to, or closure of, quarantine areas where
goods subject to quarantine are stored or treated/processed or
otherwise dealt with.
11.5
Applications are to be accompanied by scale drawings of the proposed
area and quarantine storage, treatment/processing facilities including
parking for Quarantine Officers. In the case of new constructions these
plans must be approved before any construction is undertaken.
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