Plants and quarantine

Introduction

Mango shoot looper

Mango shoot looper (MSL) has been detected in the Darwin rural area. It is an exotic moth species.

If you think you have seen MSL in the Northern Territory, call 1800 084 881.

Read more about MSL.

You risk breaking quarantine laws by bringing certain types of plants, fruits and vegetables and agricultural equipment into Northern Territory (NT).

Some produce and equipment are infected with pests and disease.

These pages are for agricultural producers who want to import or export.

They also have guidelines interstate visitors and residents about the types of products that are restricted in the NT.

Read the NT plant health manual PDF (4.8 MB) for requirements to:

  • introduce plant material and plant-related material into the NT or
  • move material within the Territory.

Plant import permits

Mango shoot looper

Mango shoot looper (MSL) has been detected in the Darwin rural area. It is an exotic moth species.

If you think you have seen MSL in the Northern Territory, call 1800 084 881.

Read more about MSL.

You must have a permit to import the following into the Northern Territory (NT):

  • plants and plant products
  • hay and other fodder
  • soil, compost and potting mix
  • machinery, equipment and other plant related material used in agriculture.

Products that need a permit

Read below for what you need to do.

This includes:

  • parts of plants other than seeds
  • pulp or dried material.

Samples must be submitted for diagnostic or laboratory testing.

There are unique requirements for the below plant products:

  • avocado
  • banana
  • grapevine plants
  • seed potatoes.

These plant products may present a risk of bringing new pests and diseases into the NT. Read the NT plant quarantine manual PDF (4.8 MB) on the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade website.

This includes:

  • hay such as pasture plants that are cut and dried
  • other fodder such as any unprocessed and dried feed (including hay) that is given to livestock to supplement or replace their diet.
Before you apply

Declared pests including ant, snail and fungi species may contaminate hay and other fodder during or after harvest. They can be introduced into the NT through imports of these products.

The pests of concern vary between state and territories within Australia as do the measures used for their management.

For the NT, permits will be issued to cover multiple consignments across a 12-month period.

The fee is currently waived until further notice.

Before you import

When you import hay and other fodder, you must ensure a vendor declaration travels with the product.

You must also send a copy along with details of the product to the Plant Biosecurity branch.

You must do this within 5 days of the product arriving in the NT.

For more information, contact Plant Biosecurity.

This includes:

  • soil
  • compost and potting mix, unless prepared and labelled under the relevant Australian standard.

Agricultural or earth moving equipment such as:

  • harvestors
  • ploughs
  • compactors
  • tractors
  • dozers
  • dump trucks
  • shovels
  • pruning shears
  • picking poles
  • bins and bin lids
  • packaging
  • pallets
  • other containers.

You must provide evidence from the state or territory of origin proving the material has been treated or cleaned appropriately.

How long it takes

Applications are processed within 5 business days.

What you need

The importer must be the person listed as the applicant.

Location details for the storage of the imported materials must be included.

You’ll also need to supply a certificate from the exporter for the state or territory you are exporting from.

The certificates must be supplied before your application can be approved.

Fees

A permit costs $40. The fee is currently waived for hay and other fodder permits.

How to apply

You can apply online or by email or mail.

Online

Go to Territory Services

By email or mail

To apply by email or mail, follow these steps.

Step 1. Fill in the application.

Plant import permit application PDF (612.8 KB)
Plant import permit application DOCX (66.8 KB)

Step 2. Pay your fee in person or by phone at a Receiver of Territory Monies.

Step 3. Submit your application and payment receipt by mail or email to:

Plant Biosecurity Branch
Biosecurity and Animal Welfare Division
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
GPO Box 3000
Darwin NT 0801
plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au

Contact

For more information about plant biosecurity and permits, call 08 8999 2118 or email plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au.


NT entry requirements

Mango shoot looper

Mango shoot looper (MSL) has been detected in the Darwin rural area. It is an exotic moth species.

If you think you have seen MSL in the Northern Territory, call 1800 084 881.

Read more about MSL.

If you are travelling to the Northern Territory (NT) there are laws that stop some fruits, vegetables and plants from crossing over borders.

NT borders aren't patrolled. However, you will find quarantine bins at all airports and railway station for the disposal of fruit from interstate.

There are interstate pests and diseases which haven't been found yet in the NT. Some of these pose a major threat to the NT's agricultural export industry.

The Plant Health Act 2008 is in place to help prevent the spread of the following pests to the NT:

  • ants
  • fruit flies
  • scale insects
  • thrips
  • sucking insects
  • soil borne pests and snails.

There are also laws for all of the following:

  • turf
  • nursery plants
  • household plants
  • fruits and vegetables and the plants that produce them
  • seed and grain
  • soil, compost and potting mix
  • plant packaging such as pallets and containers
  • agricultural and earthmoving equipment.

If you are unsure whether you have items that pose a threat to NT biosecurity you should visit the Australian interstate quarantine website or contact Plant Biosecurity.

You can also look at the NT insects database to find out information about plant pests and the plants they affect.


Travelling within the NT

Mango shoot looper

Mango shoot looper (MSL) has been detected in the Darwin rural area. It is an exotic moth species.

If you think you have seen MSL in the Northern Territory, call 1800 084 881.

Read more about MSL.

If you are travelling in the Northern Territory (NT) you should be aware there are pests in some regions, which are not found in others.

Melon thrips

One of the most commonly found pests in the Top End of the NT are melon thrips.

They are not found anywhere else in the NT south of the Adelaide River township.

Melon thrips can be carried by any of the following:

  • avocado
  • bamboo
  • beans
  • capsicum
  • carnations
  • cucumber
  • eggplant
  • figs
  • cotton
  • and hibiscus

It can also be found in many grass varieties.

Mango leaf hopper

If you are moving mango plants in the NT you should have them treated against leaf hopper.

If you grow mangoes you must have them treated six weeks before harvest.

The only mango varieties which do not need treatment are Kensington Pride, Calypso and Honey Gold varieties.

Fruit fly

If you are travelling to the township of Ti Tree, north of Alice Springs, you must dispose of any fruit you have brought from interstate. Ti Tree and some surrounding properties are fruit fly free zones.

Quarantine bins are placed at Alice Springs Airport and railway station to surrender your fruit.

There are three types of fruit fly of concern for agriculture in the NT. They are:

  • Mediterranean fruit fly
  • cucumber fruit fly
  • banana fly.

Uncertified bananas from North Queensland are not allowed into the NT.

Fruits which can be affected by fruit fly include:

  • mango
  • tomato
  • avocado
  • pawpaw
  • melons
  • passionfruit.

Vegetables which can be affected include:

  • chilli
  • capsicum
  • eggplant
  • choko
  • cucumber
  • zucchini
  • pumpkin
  • squash.

Interstate Certification Assurance

Mango shoot looper

Mango shoot looper (MSL) has been detected in the Darwin rural area. It is an exotic moth species.

If you think you have seen MSL in the Northern Territory, call 1800 084 881.

Read more about MSL.

If you export fruit or vegetables from the Northern Territory (NT), you must apply for one of the following:

  • interstate certification assurance (ICA)
  • certification assurance (CA) accreditation.

The ICA/CA is a nationally recognised plant health certification system.

It allows you to export produce knowing it's met the national quarantine guidelines.

To get an ICA/CA, you must show your business has in-house procedures that meet interstate quarantine rules.

How long it takes

Applications are processed within 5 business days.

What you need

An Australian business number (ABN) and contact details for your business.

The operational procedure reference number and title you are operating under.

A description of the type of produce to be prepared and the location of your facility.

You’ll also need to supply names of authorised signatories.

Fees

A $432 fee applies to all ICA/CA applications.

A late fee of $135 may apply for renewals if your current certification has expired for a period of time.

How to apply, renew or amend

You can apply for, renew or amend a certification online or by email or mail.

Online

Go to Territory Services

Email or mail

To apply by email or mail, follow these steps.

Step 1. Fill in application.

Interstate certification assurance or certification assurance application PDF (603.2 KB)
Interstate certification assurance or certification assurance application DOCX (66.1 KB)

Step 2. Pay your fee in person at or over the phone to a Receiver of Territory Monies.

Step 3. Submit your application and payment receipt by mail or email to:

Plant Biosecurity Branch
Biosecurity and Animal Welfare Division
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
GPO Box 3000
Darwin NT 0801
plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au

Contact

For more information about plant biosecurity and permits, call 08 8999 2118 or email plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au.


Contact Plant Biosecurity

Mango shoot looper

Mango shoot looper (MSL) has been detected in the Darwin rural area. It is an exotic moth species.

If you think you have seen MSL in the Northern Territory, call 1800 084 881.

Read more about MSL.

To arrange for an inspection, contact Plant Biosecurity in your region.

Darwin

Berrimah Farm
Makagon Road
Berrimah NT 0828
plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au

GPO Box 3000
Darwin NT 0801

Phone: 08 8999 2118

Katherine

Katherine Research Farm
South Stuart Highway
Katherine NT 0851
plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au

PO Box 1346
Katherine NT 0851

Phone: 08 8973 9704

Alice Springs

Arid Zone Research Institute
South Stuart Highway
Alice Springs NT 0871
plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au

PO Box 8760
Alice Springs NT 0871

Phone: 08 8951 8166

Plant health inspectors

Read the list of: