Automatic Entry Processing for Commodities
(AEPCOMM) and Non commodity for
Containerised Cargo Clearance (NCCC) Scheme
Management of Continued Biosecurity Competency
for AEPCOMM and NCCC Schemes policy
Version 1.0
© Commonwealth of Australia
Ownership of intellectual property rights
Unless otherwise noted, copyright (and any other intellectual property rights, if any) in this publication is
owned by the Commonwealth of Australia (referred to as the Commonwealth).
Creative commons licence
All material in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence, save
for content supplied by third parties, logos and the Commonwealth Coat of Arms.
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence is a standard form licence agreement that allows you
to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt this publication provided you attribute the work. A summary of the
licence terms is available from creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en. The full licence terms are
available from creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/legalcode.
This publication (and any material sourced from it) should be attributed as: Compliance
Assessment and Management section, 2015, Management of continued biosecurity
competency levels for NCCC and AEPCOMM policy, Canberra.
Department of Agriculture
Postal address GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601
Switchboard +61 2 6272 2010
Website: www.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 has exercised due care and skill
in the preparation and compilation of the information and data in this publication. Notwithstanding, the
Department of Agriculture, 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 History
Version
Date
Amendment details
1.0
10 September 2015
New Policy
2
Department of Agriculture – Management of Continued Biosecurity Competency for AEPCOMMM and NCCC Policy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY
4
INTRODUCTION
5
SCOPE
5
DEFINITIONS
6
APPROACH TO CONTINUED BIOSECURITY COMPETENCY
7
CONTINUED BIOSECURITY COMPETENCY
8
ACCREDITATION AND APPROVAL
9
REVIEW
11
3
Department of Agriculture – Management of Continued Biosecurity Competency for AEPCOMMM and NCCC Policy
SUMMARY
This document details how the Department of Agriculture (the department) will:
 Manage the accreditation and ongoing competency of entities registered for the
Automatic Entry Processing for Commodities (AEPCOMM) Scheme and the Noncommodity for Containerised Cargo Clearance (NCCC) schemes
 Monitor and record currency of training
 Detect and report on non-compliance trends
 Provide key areas of learning to Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and
approved Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) providers
 Conduct periodic reviews of the delivery and assessment methodology of CBC
providers
 Apply administrative sanctions
This also applies to the department’s dealings with accredited and approved persons
associated with compliance Agreements under AEPCOMM and NCCC Schemes under section
66B of the Quarantine Act 1908 (the Act).
This policy is the basis on which the department ensures it is maintaining its obligation to
the Australian public by appropriately regulating biosecurity concerns associated with this
type of compliance agreement.
4
Department of Agriculture – Management of Continued Biosecurity Competency for AEPCOMMM and NCCC Policy
INTRODUCTION
In Australia, biosecurity is a shared responsibility between government, industry and
individuals. Commitment to biosecurity is required from all three groups. A number of
Compliance Agreements exist between the department and industry under which the Other
Party and their accredited persons are entrusted to perform specific biosecurity functions.
Two such Compliance Agreements are associated with the AEPCOMM and NCCC Schemes
(under section 66B of the Act). Under these two Compliance Agreements, the department
may allow approved persons to undertake the assessment of documentation and accredited
persons to apply the self-direction of consignments of specific commodities approved by the
department.
This responsibility places legislative obligations on approved persons, accredited persons
and the Other Party of a Compliance Agreement under these Schemes.
In turn, the department has an obligation to the Australian public to verify that approved
persons, accredited persons and the other party of a Compliance Agreement are meeting
their biosecurity responsibilities by undergoing continued biosecurity competency. A failure
by any of the parties to meet their respective responsibilities could allow the introduction of
exotic pests and diseases to Australia, which could have serious consequences for the
Australian community, environment and economy.
SCOPE
In Scope
This document applies to AEPCOMM and NCCC approved ‘Compliance Agreements’ in
accordance with Section 66B of the Quarantine Act 1908, and regulation 72 of the
Quarantine Regulations 2000.
It applies to the following:



The supervision, monitoring and testing of a person’s compliance with the
application of particular procedures in respect to goods processed under the
AEPCOMM and NCCC Schemes
Recognition of accredited and approved persons to the AEPCOMM and NCCC
Schemes
Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) training
5
Department of Agriculture – Management of Continued Biosecurity Competency for AEPCOMMM and NCCC Policy
DEFINITIONS
For definitions used in this policy, refer to Approved Arrangements Glossary located on the
department’s website.
Term
Definition
Accredited
Person

Approved
person
Continued
Biosecurity
Competency
(CBC)
Continued
Professional
Development
(CPD)
Licensed customs brokers or self reporting importers who
undertake documentary assessment, preparation and lodgement of
Import declarations;
 These persons have completed the required training for the
particular scheme being used and maintain the required level of
Continued Biosecurity Competency.
 Persons who are employed as support staff to licensed customs
brokers and self reporting importers and who undertake
documentary assessment and preparation of import declarations;
 These persons have completed the required training for the
particular scheme being used and maintain the required level of
Continued Biosecurity Competency.
An agreed, structured approach to learning in the Biosecurity sphere to
help ensure competence to practice, taking in knowledge, skills and
practical experience to ensure that approved and accredited persons to
the AEPCOMM and NCCC schemes continue to have their skills and
competency up to date.
The CPD activities that licensed customs brokers must undertake to
satisfy the requirements of the CPD Scheme mandated by the
Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP). DIPB,
accredit CPD activities to ensure that:

Registered
Training
Organisation
(RTO)
the subject matter of the activity is relevant and material to the
duties of a customs broker;
 the subject matter is given substance and practical treatment in the
activity; and
 the facilitators have qualifications and experience that enable them
to deliver a meaningful learning opportunity
Training providers registered by Australian Skills Quality Authority (
ASQA) (or, in some cases, a state regulator) to deliver vocational
education and training (VET) services. RTOs are recognised as providers
of quality-assured and nationally recognised training and qualifications.
Unit of
Competency
A unit of competency is a nationally agreed statement of the skills and
knowledge required for effective performance in a particular job or job
function. It is used to assess the skills and knowledge that a person
must demonstrate in the workplace to be seen as competent.
Other Parties
A party, other than the Commonwealth, to the compliance agreement.
CBC Approved
Training
Providers
RTO’s and other departmental CBC approved training providers.
6
Department of Agriculture – Management of Continued Biosecurity Competency for AEPCOMMM and NCCC Policy
APPROACH TO CONTINUED BIOSECURITY COMPETENCY
The Department’s approach to Biosecurity Competency is based on the following principles:
Principle
The Department
Risk Based
Believes that Other parties who demonstrate a high level of compliance
with departmental professional competency requirements should
expect to see reduced regulatory intervention at documentary
assessment. This allows the department to focus its resources on areas
that pose greater biosecurity risks.
Consistency
Strives to provide approved persons, accredited persons and other
parties of an AEPCOMM and NCCC Compliance Agreement certainty
about its actions by assessing, reporting, managing and administering
fairly across comparable situations.
Transparency
Will deal with approved persons, accredited persons and other parties
of an AEPCOMM and NCCC Compliance Agreement in an open and
transparent manner so that they will have a clear understanding of
what is expected of them and what they can expect of the Department.
Timeliness
Will strive for the resolution of training and accreditation matters in a
timely and appropriate manner.
Flexibility
Will respond to changing situations, trends and technologies and review
how we determine competency.
Effectiveness
Will apply appropriate administrative and operational responses
(including stakeholder engagement) to achieve the most suitable
outcomes.
By applying these principles, the department aims to ensure that biosecurity risk is
managed, especially in addressing competency levels, to prevent and deter non-compliant
behaviour and to encourage greater compliance with departmental requirements.
7
Department of Agriculture – Management of Continued Biosecurity Competency for AEPCOMMM and NCCC Policy
CONTINUED BIOSECURITY COMPETENCY
By moving to a Continued Biosecurity Competency model all accredited and approved
persons merge to a consistent competency point. This also allows for new information and
issues to be disseminated and addressed in a more timely and consolidated manner.
CBC content must align with changes to the schemes and their requirements.
The CBC period will run from 1 April to 31 March each consecutive year.
Approved providers
Providers approved by the department to deliver CBC sessions will be responsible for the
design, delivery mode and assessment of CBC. Periodic review of the delivery and
assessment methodology of the providers will be conducted by the department.
The department will provide key areas of learning for these ongoing CBC sessions to those
approved providers offering the CBC sessions. The department may also provide CBC
training providers with trends in non-compliance to the Schemes where appropriate to do
so.
Responsibilities of Accredited or approved persons
Persons who hold accreditation are required to be up to date with the CBC to maintain
approval or accreditation on the Schemes.
Persons who hold approved status are required to undertake the same biosecurity
professional development as an accredited person through the ongoing accreditation of
CBC. Persons who do not obtain the required amount of ongoing training in CBC will be
suspended from using the Schemes until they have successfully completed the required unit
of competency and can provide evidence of successful completion. The department will
consider waiving all or part of the requirements in special or exceptional circumstances such
as long periods of illness. The Accredited or Approved person must put forward a case to the
department (with sufficient evidence) for this exemption to be considered. Should the
department determine an accreditation or approval be suspended or removed a process of
natural justice will be employed.
Where there are extraordinary issues of biosecurity concern, or urgent requirements for
process changes, (such as an emergency response or substantial ICON case change)
immediate updating of skills and knowledge may be required to be undertaken by
accredited or approved persons. Evidence of this updating of skills and knowledge
undertaken must be provided to the department. Timing of this requirement will be
dependent on the criticality of the issue and will be advised at the undertaking of the CBC
activity.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s Continued Professional
Development Scheme (the CPD Scheme) requires licensed customs brokers to attain 30 CPD
points annually across each of the three years in the triennium that correlates to their
8
Department of Agriculture – Management of Continued Biosecurity Competency for AEPCOMMM and NCCC Policy
licensing renewal period. Further information regarding the CPD Scheme should be directed
to The Department of Immigration and Border Protection or Registered Training
Organisations and CPD approved providers.
ACCREDITATION AND APPROVAL
Under the AEPCOMM and NCCC Schemes, the department may allow approved persons to
undertake the assessment of documentation and accredited persons to apply the selfdirection of consignments of specific commodities approved by the department.
Training Providers
The training for the NCCC and AEPCOMM Schemes is provided by Registered Training
Organisations (RTO). Online AEPCOMM training is also provided by one departmental
approved non RTO provider. Details and information about the RTOs approved to deliver the
recognised unit of competency can be found on the training.gov.au website. The
department’s website also provides regular updates in relation to training requirements.
Accredited or Approved Persons
Approved person
To become an approved person under the AEPCOMM and NCCC Schemes the candidate
must do three things:



successfully complete the recognised unit of competency
maintain evidence of attainment; and
provide the completed registration forms to the department
The approved person must undertake the same professional development as an accredited
person in the ongoing accumulation of CBC within the 12 month CBC period (1 April – 31
March). Persons who do not obtain the required amount of ongoing training in CBC within
this 12 month period will be suspended from using the Schemes until they have successfully
completed the required unit of competency. Suspension will occur at the discretion of the
department .The circumstances surrounding the incompletion of CBC will be reviewed on a
case by case basis. Should the department determine an approval be removed a process of
natural justice will be employed.
Accredited Person
To become an accredited person under the AEPCOMM and NCCC Schemes the candidate
must do four things:




successfully complete the agreed unit of competency
maintain evidence of attainment
provide the completed registration forms to the department; and
Have a Customs Brokers License Number or declare that they are a self reporting
importer (evidence must be provided)
. The accredited person must undertake biosecurity professional development in the
ongoing accumulation of the CBC within the 12 month CBC period (1 April – 31 March).
9
Department of Agriculture – Management of Continued Biosecurity Competency for AEPCOMMM and NCCC Policy
Persons who do not obtain the required amount of ongoing training in CBC in the 12 month
period will be suspended from using the scheme until they have successfully completed the
required unit of competency. Suspension will occur at the discretion of the department. The
circumstances surrounding the incompletion of CBC will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
The Department of Agriculture may consider any other relevant matter when assessing a
person’s Fitness and Propriety for participation in the schemes. Should the department
determine an approval be removed a process of natural justice will be employed.
RE-ACCREDITATION
To bring accredited persons and approved persons to a consistent competency point the
department will undertake a reaccreditation process through a bridging course provided by
RTOs. This Bridging course will be open for completion over a three month period.
Persons who hold accreditation from 2009 to 30 June 2014 will be required to successfully
complete the bridging course to maintain accreditation or approval with the department.
Following completion of the bridging course all accredited or approved persons will be at a
consistent competency point and from there are required to keep up to date and complete
CBC. However, persons who hold accreditation post 1 July 2014 will only be required to be
up to date with the CBC to maintain approval or accreditation.
Following an assessment of competency through the bridging course, accredited or
approved persons must undertake CBC courses as required over the relevant CBC period.
Persons who do not obtain the required amount of ongoing training in CBC will be
suspended from using the Scheme until they have successfully completed the required unit
of competency and can provide evidence of successful completion.
An accreditation or approved status will be based on evidence of successful completion of
the bridging course.
10
Department of Agriculture – Management of Continued Biosecurity Competency for AEPCOMMM and NCCC Policy
Model of Training Post Completion of Re-accreditation Bridging Course
or Accreditation obtained post July 2014
NCCC + AEPCOMM
NCCC +
AEPCOMM unit
of competency
and AEPCOMM
training
completed
after 30 June
2014
Yes
Undertake
ongoing CBC
No
Complete
Bridging
Course
Undertake
ongoing CBC
REVIEW
This document is subject to regular review to ensure it continues to be relevant, effective
and fit for purpose. The department reserves the right to assess and review the ongoing
validity of this document to ensure that the requirements continue to align with legislation,
government policy and the relevant operating environment in meeting both departmental
and industry needs.
For further information contact: broker.accreditation@agriculture.gov.au
11
Department of Agriculture – Management of Continued Biosecurity Competency for AEPCOMMM and NCCC Policy