Corporate Plan 2022–23

1. Foreword

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is established under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992 (Administration Act). Our principal responsibilities are described in the Administration Act and the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994.

Our vision is to be a global leader in agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemical regulation for the benefit of Australia. This Corporate Plan sets out our strategic priorities to ensure the continued protection of Australia’s trade and the health and safety of people, animals and the environment, through the delivery of efficient and effective agvet chemical regulation.

We will measure our performance through the measures detailed in this plan to ensure all our stakeholders are provided with timely access to safe and effective products and understand our role and responsibilities. 

We will invest in our people, to ensure APVMA staff remain supported and connected to achieving our strategic priorities and have the tools required to provide a responsive and agile regulatory service. We will continue to identify opportunities to reduce regulatory burden, through the efficient implementation of our cost-recovered activities.

1.1. Statement of preparation by the Chief Executive Officer

As the Accountable Authority of the APVMA, in accordance with item 42 of Schedule 2 to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and Other Improvements) Act 2021, I present the APVMA Corporate Plan 2022–23, which covers the period 2022–23 to 2025–26, as required under paragraph 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and section 51 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992.

Ms Lisa Croft
Chief Executive Officer
1 June 2022

1.2. Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.

2. Purpose and objectives

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is the Australian Government regulator of agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemical products, established in 1993 to centralise the registration of all agvet chemical products into the Australian marketplace.

2.1. Our vision

To be a global leader in agriculture and veterinary chemicals regulation for the benefit of Australia.

2.2. Our purpose

We regulate agricultural and veterinary chemicals to manage the risks of pests and diseases for the Australian community and to protect Australia’s trade and the health and safety of people, animals and the environment.

2.3. Our values

The APVMA upholds the Australian Public Service (APS) values as set out in the Public Service Act 1999. In addition to the APS values, we demonstrate the following behaviours:

• We apply science-based decisions pragmatically, consistently and proportionately to the risk.
• We actively engage with all stakeholders to build confidence in our regulatory system.
• We are committed to meeting our statutory obligations.
• We demonstrate leadership and trustworthiness and act with integrity.
• We encourage innovation and embrace technology.

2.4. Our strategic objectives

1. Agvet chemicals are efficiently and effectively regulated
2. Through clear and transparent stakeholder engagement, we support and encourage compliance with the regulatory framework
3. The APVMA is a trusted regulator and recognised globally for its leading practice
4. Our workforce is supported and developed to deliver an efficient and effective contemporary regulatory practice

2.5. Roles and responsibilities

The APVMA is the independent statutory authority responsible for assessing and registering agvet chemicals proposed for supply and use in Australia. For an agvet chemical product to be legally manufactured, imported, supplied, sold or used in Australia, it must be registered by the APVMA unless exempt, excluded or listed by the legislation.

Our registration process involves scientifically evaluating the safety and efficacy (effectiveness) of a product in order to protect Australia’s trade and the health and safety of people, animals and the environment. Underpinning this are rigorous risk-based scientific assessments and subsequent periodic chemical reviews.

In doing this work, our staff apply the following principles and ways of working to ensure the APVMA contributes to an innovative, contemporary and fit-for-purpose National Registration Scheme for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (NRS):

• Robust risk assessments are science-based and proportionate to the risk being managed.
• The assessment process is efficient, predictable and transparent.
• Decisions are made in a timely manner.
• Trusted international data, standards and assessments are used where applicable.
• Leading practice, and opportunities to improve are identified and incorporated to optimise efficient and effective delivery of the regulatory framework.

In this role we:

• ensure Australians have access to safe and effective agvet chemicals
• monitor and enforce compliance with the Agvet Code and other legislation we administer
• maintain the Record and Register of approved agvet constituents, registered products and approved labels.

2.5.1. Our functions, powers and the legislative framework

The APVMA is the national regulator of agvet chemicals in Australia, in line with the responsibilities in the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992 and the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994. The regulatory framework for managing agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals in Australia is collectively referred to as the NRS. Under the NRS framework, the APVMA is responsible for the regulation and control of agvet chemicals up to and including the point of retail sale. We also oversee the import and export of those chemicals and medicines that contain them.

The APVMA assesses products against the statutory criteria of safety, efficacy and trade; ensures the approved label accurately reflects how the product is identified, used, stored and disposed of; and first aid and safety information.

In our regulatory role, we undertake chemical reviews that may be conducted in respect to an active constituent or an agvet product and its label that are available to the market. These reviews assess the currently approved uses against contemporary science to ensure the statutory criteria can be met. We also consider applications for permits to use an agvet chemical in a manner that is different to the directions for use specified on the product label. A permit may also authorise the use of an unregistered chemical under specific circumstances. We have the power to recall non-compliant products. This helps to ensure the quality and safety of agvet chemicals in the marketplace as well as compliance with the relevant legislation.

We are funded by fees, charges and levies imposed on the regulated industry. Regulatory functions are fully cost-recovered.

The APVMA administers the NRS as a cooperative scheme, and makes provision for the evaluation, registration and control of agvet chemical products and related matters. Mirror legislation is found in the states and territories of Australia, consistent with the arrangements set out in the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act 1994. The agvet laws identify which chemicals and products need to be registered or approved by us and which products are exempt.

We also monitor and enforce compliance with the Agvet Code and other legislation we administer, including the:

• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992
• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act 1994
• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994
• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical Products (Collection of Levy) Act 1994.

3. Key activities and performance

3.1. Intended results and performance measures

The strategic objectives are supported by a range of performance measures and targets that we will use to monitor our progress towards achieving our purpose.

Our legislated performance measures are reflected in our Portfolio Budget Statement.

Table 1: APVMA Portfolio Budget Statement

Outcome 1: Protection of the health and safety of people, animals, the environment and agricultural and livestock industries through regulation of pesticides and veterinary medicines.
Program 1.1: Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
Objective	The APVMA regulates agricultural and veterinary chemicals to manage the risks of pests and diseases for the Australian community and to protect Australia’s trade and the health and safety of people, animals and the environment.
Key activities	Regulation of agricultural and veterinary chemicals is delivered through 4 mechanisms: Risk-based assessment and registration of pesticides and veterinary chemicals Identification and resolution of non-compliance up to and including the point of retail sale Licence and audit of veterinary manufacturers Identification and review of the safety of existing chemicals of regulatory concern
Year	Performance measures	Expected performance results
Current year 2021–22	Percentage of applications finalised within statutory timeframes.	100%.
Year	Performance measures	Planned performance results
Budget year 2022–23	As per 2021–22.	As per 2021–22.
Forward estimates 2023–26	As per 2022–23.	As per 2022–23.

3.1.1. Strategic objective 1: Agricultural and veterinary chemicals are efficiently and effectively regulated.

Description: This outcome describes our core work and why we exist as the regulator of agvet chemicals. It describes the way in which we execute our regulatory role, balancing how we deliver our work in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Strategic objective 1

Intended results		Performance measures		Targets
				Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4
1.1	The APVMA provides the agvet industry and end users with timely and predictable access to high-quality agvet chemicals	1.1.1	Proportion of applications finalised within legislative timeframes	100%	100%	100%	100%
		Methodology: Number of applications finalised within timeframe, divided by the total applications finalised (categorised by product/application type).
		Rationale: Compliance with legislative timeframes is a key measure of our success in achieving our purpose as well as supporting regulated entities and the Australian community.
1.2	The APVMA assures registered agvet chemicals are, and remain safe and efficacious	1.2.1	Proportion of applications that pass quality audits under the Quality Management Framework	100%	100%	100%	100%
		Methodology: Regular audits of decision-making processes made under our Quality Management Framework ensure controls at key points are implemented.
		Rationale: The APVMA relies on controls at critical control points to ensure adherence to the working practices established. These practices provide assurances that the assessment of applications has adequately considered adherence to the statutory criteria.

3.1.2. Strategic objective 2: Through clear and transparent stakeholder engagement we support and encourage compliance with the regulatory framework.

Description: By incorporating the evolving needs and expectations of stakeholders, the APVMA ensures high-quality experiences that support a fit-for-purpose regulatory framework.

Strategic objective 2

Intended results		Performance measures		Targets
				Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4
2.1	The APVMA delivers high-quality stakeholder experiences	2.1.1	Proportion of stakeholders that report a high level of satisfaction in regard to the quality of collaborative engagements with the APVMA ®3	65%	70%	70%	75%
		Methodology: Number of respondents who identify as ‘satisfied’ or greater, to the relevant questions asked as part of the APVMA Client and Stakeholder Survey, divided by the number of total respondents. Number of respondents in other engagement activities providing positive feedback on APVMA activities, divided by the number of total respondents.
		Rationale: High-quality regulated community experiences will promote greater levels of engagement with and understanding of the APVMA, leading to ultimately higher levels of compliance with the regulatory framework.
2.2	The APVMA provides guidance and information that is up-to-date, clear and easily accessible	2.1.2	Proportion of stakeholders that report a high level of satisfaction in regard to the clarity, transparency and consistency of the APVMA’s guidance information	70%	70%	75%	75%
		Methodology: Number of respondents who identify as ‘satisfied’ or greater, to the relevant question asked as part of the APVMA Client and Stakeholder Survey, divided by the number of total respondents (categorised by stakeholder group). Supplement with case study from stakeholder and commentary provided by website feedback reports.
		Rationale: Access for stakeholders to current and accurate information are key to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework through ensuring awareness of provisions and requirements.

RPG measures are denoted with a ® in the performance measurement tables.

3.1.3. Strategic objective 3: The APVMA is a trusted regulator and recognised globally for its leading practice.

Description: In order to remain a respected global regulator the APVMA must continue to identify and embrace contemporary regulatory practices.

Strategic objective 3

Intended results		Performance measures		Targets
				Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4
3.1	The APVMA participates in opportunities to embrace new ways of working, which ensures the regulatory framework continues to be recognised as a global leader in agvet chemical regulation	3.1.1	The number of domestic and international stakeholder engagements APVMA staff participate in that work towards tangible outcomes ®1 ®3	30	30	30	30
		Methodology: Number of applicable stakeholder engagements APVMA staff have participated in. Supplemented with case study to illustrate significant engagements and the outcomes achieved.
		Rationale: The APVMA must engage with domestic and international stakeholders in various fora to inform application of the regulatory framework, as well as advance Australia’s position in the agvet industry.
		3.1.2	Proportion of APVMA staff that participate in professional development training and/or other educational activities above and beyond core training requirements	75%	78%	80%	80%
		Methodology: Number of staff participating in educational activities directed towards awareness and understanding of new ways of working or novel technologies, divided by total number of APVMA staff.
		Rationale: Increased awareness of relevant cutting edge technologies allows the APVMA to work effectively at the forefront of regulatory advances, ensuring effective regulation and global recognition.
3.2	The APVMA ensures efficient and effective delivery of the regulatory framework	3.2.1	Proportion of committed reform projects implemented within the required timeframes ®1 ®2	80%	80%	80%	80%
		Methodology: The number of committed reform projects implemented within the required timeframes, divided by the total number of committed reform projects. Supplemented with case study to illustrate proportion of measures implemented from the Improvements Act.
		Rationale: By identifying the need for reform within the regulatory framework, the APVMA must commit to implementing the projects alongside delivering business-as-usual work.
		3.2.2	Percentage of reconsiderations completed in accordance with Chemical Review Program Plan	100%	100%	100%	100%
		Methodology: The number of chemical reviews completed within milestone timeframes, divided by the total number of chemical reviews completed.
		Rationale: Chemical reviews are multi-year activities, managed as projects and have multiple milestones.

RPG measures are denoted with a ® in the performance measurement tables.

3.1.4. Strategic objective 4: Our workforce is supported and developed to deliver an efficient and effective contemporary regulatory practice.

Description: APVMA staff are critical to our provision of high-quality regulatory services, to ensure the framework is fit-for-purpose and is able to meet the evolving needs and expectations of stakeholders.

Strategic objective 4

Intended results		Performance measures		Targets
				Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4
4.1	The APVMA’s workforce is connected with, and committed to, working for the APVMA	4.1.1	Proportion of APVMA staff that report a high level of engagement with the APVMA	75%	76%	78%	80%
		Methodology: Number of respondents who identify as ‘engaged’ or greater, to the employee engagement questions asked as part of the APS Employee Census, divided by the number of total respondents (data sourced from the APS Employee Census).
		Rationale: A high level of commitment to the APVMA, and the overall dedication of staff, contributes to high overall performance (both in terms of output and quality).
4.2	The APVMA provides its staff with cohesive and integrated business processes and systems to support service delivery	4.2.1	Proportion of APVMA staff that report a high level of satisfaction in regard to the APVMA’s business processes	80%	85%	90%	90%+
		Methodology: Number of respondents who identify as ‘satisfied’ or greater, to the relevant question asked as part of the APS Employee Census, divided by the number of total respondents. Supplement with case study from APVMA staff and commentary provided by the APS Employee Census as needed.
		Rationale: Fit-for-purpose business processes enable APVMA staff to perform their duties and provide high quality regulatory services.

4. Operating context

Our operating environment is a dynamic one – we need to be responsive to the changing needs and expectations of our stakeholders and remain agile to ensure our regulatory decisions are consistent with global developments, taking into consideration opportunities for innovation and better practice. 

4.1. Environment

4.1.1. Agvet industry

The APVMA must balance our support for innovation and the development of new technologies that assist Australian growers, alongside protecting the health and safety of people, animals and environment.

We will continue to refine and reform our internal processes and practices to ensure our regulatory framework is contemporary and fit-for-purpose, aligning regulatory effort, regulatory burden and risk associated with chemical use. 

In doing so, we will monitor the import and export of chemicals through the supply chain by maintaining sophisticated compliance and monitoring strategies. We will also meet trade and consumer expectations of a rigorous regulatory system that can be trusted to allow only safe and efficacious products.

Under the Delivering Ag2030 plan, the government has identified 7 themes that build the foundation to grow Australia’s agricultural sector and build resilience to meet global challenges. By ensuring access to safe and effective agvet chemicals, the APVMA will continue to play a critical role in facilitating productivity, strengthening responses to pests and diseases and promoting supply chain resilience.

4.1.2. Regulatory reform

The APVMA is committed to identifying and implementing contemporary regulatory practice to optimise efficient and effective delivery of the regulatory framework.

We recognise that industry invests significantly in bringing new products to market. As part of the government’s Deregulation Agenda, the APVMA is actively committed to minimising the regulatory burden of compliance, while continuing to ensure the legislative requirements, particularly in relation to safety, are met. By implementing practical initiatives and reforms that advance the government’s deregulation efforts, including incorporating the principles of the Regulator Performance Guide, we ensure appropriate cost recovery of all regulatory functions.

The agvet laws set out a legislative framework for the APVMA to align our regulatory efforts with risk. The legislative framework allows the APVMA some discretion when determining if certain criteria have been met in an application. It also allows us to prioritise compliance and enforcement activities based on risk and to allocate internal resources proportionately. This reduces the regulatory burden on industry while increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the APVMA – without compromising the safety of people, animals, crops and the environment.

Work to implement measures from the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and Other Improvements) Act 2021 is ongoing with the final measure scheduled to come into effect in December 2022. The Act amends the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992, the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 and the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical Products (Collection of Levy) Act 1994. It is anticipated all measures will be implemented by the end of the 2022–23 reporting period.

A significant provision of the Act was the establishment of the APVMA Board as the Accountable Authority of the APVMA under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (PGPA) Act 2013. The Board’s role is to govern the APVMA and conduct financial, risk and audit oversight. The Board came into effect on 4 March 2022. On 8 April 2022, the then Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia announced the members of the APVMA Board.

4.1.3. COVID-19

The APVMA’s business systems and operating environment enabled us to respond rapidly to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we were able to meet the needs of our stakeholders while continuing to improve our performance. Leveraging our success in this regard, we will continue to:

• refine our flexible working arrangements for staff while continuing to deliver our regulatory responsibilities
• work closely with our stakeholders to develop and evolve our approaches to collaboration and engagement
• respond to the emerging situations and challenges that the public sector may face as COVID-19 enters a new phase.

We have applied learnings during the past 2 years directly into our workforce planning and stakeholder engagement strategies. Our agile workforce and strong stakeholder engagement approaches will ensure we are well positioned to maintain business-as-usual activities and deliver a timely and efficient regulatory service.

4.2. Our people

Our people enable the APVMA to achieve its purpose. By acting with the highest levels of integrity and accountability in their work, our staff ensure the agency remains focused on delivering quality outcomes for our stakeholders in a transparent, independent and professional manner. Our people enable us to identify and incorporate contemporary regulatory practice to optimise efficient and effective delivery of the regulatory framework.

Our culture and capability support resilience, stakeholder-focused thinking and professional growth. Our people exhibit high levels of integrity and accountability in their work, acting fairly and impartially to provide trust and confidence.

We will continue to build on the collaborative and innovative work practices adopted in recent years to support the continued delivery of regulatory services.

We will continue to review, target and enhance our systems, policies and processes to reflect our dynamic and diverse workforce and priorities. We will also continue to drive organisational transformation supported by our change management actions.

4.3. Cooperation

The APVMA has a network of stakeholders who inform how the regulatory framework is administered. This includes interactions with the regulated community, interactions with users and other stakeholders, and collaborative engagements with other key stakeholders such as regulatory counterparts domestically and overseas.

It is important we continue to maintain cooperative partnerships and professional relationships with each key stakeholder group so we can continue to address their evolving needs and expectations. By doing so, we will ensure the APVMA remains a trusted regulator, recognised globally for our leading practice, minimising the regulatory burden on compliance wherever practicable, and ensuring consistent application of the regulatory framework.

More information on our stakeholder engagement strategy and approach is contained in the APVMA Stakeholder Engagement Framework 2020–23.

4.4. Our stakeholders

4.5. Our technology

The APVMA’s Digital Strategy sets out a clear direction for managing our Information Communication Technology (ICT) services to ensure they operate efficiently. The Digital Strategy also outlines our ICT reform agenda, which will reinvigorate our platforms for application assessment and management to improve productivity and reporting capabilities.

Key to the Digital Strategy is delivery of the myAPVMA project. This project provides a replacement system for the APVMA’s internal and external portals, managing end-to-end submission of:

• product/active registration applications
• variations and notices
• applications for consent to import, certificates of export and manufacturing licences
• compliance and investigations
• risk assessments.

The primary objective of the myAPVMA project is to replace our internal and external portals with a contemporary platform that will allow us to continue to grow and develop our capabilities, and to adapt emerging technologies to future changes in business requirements and legislation.

We have continued to embrace collaborative platforms and solutions that support flexible working arrangements, which enabled us to maintain operations and serve the Australian community during COVID-19 lockdown periods. Security and stewardship of APVMA data holdings is paramount and we will continue to invest in maintaining compliance with Australian Government standards.

4.6. Managing our risks

The APVMA’s risk approach and positive risk culture help our people to manage risks in accordance with the Commonwealth Risk Management Policy, PGPA Act, Work Health and Safety Act 2011, ISO 31000:2018 – Risk Management, and our Enterprise Risk Management Framework and Policy (the Framework).

The effective management of risks plays an important role in shaping the strategic direction of the APVMA. Risk management is built into our planning and business-as-usual practices, which helps ensure a consistent approach is utilised across all areas of the APVMA and its operations.

The Framework is supported by the:

• Risk Appetite and Tolerance Statement
• Quality Management Framework
• Fraud Control Plan
• Work Health and Safety Policies
• Business Continuity Plan.

The Board has overarching responsibility for the management and oversight of risk within the APVMA. This includes endorsement of the Framework. In addition, they define risk appetite and tolerance to help staff at all levels to determine what constitutes acceptable risk in our day-to-day work, as well as in achieving our strategic priorities.

The Audit and Risk Committee reviews whether we have a current and appropriate enterprise risk management framework, as well as the necessary internal controls for effective identification and management of our risks. The Committee meets regularly and provides ongoing reporting to the Board.

All our staff have a role to play in risk management. They have a general responsibility to proactively engage with and practice risk management. Staff are also expected to actively support and contribute to risk management initiatives, promote a positive risk management culture and identify where there are risk management capability gaps and training needs.

4.7. ­­­­Overview of key enterprise risks

Our enterprise risks are strategic and operational risks identified and managed by the APVMA, which if realised, would materially affect our ability to achieve our purpose. Table 2 outlines our key enterprise risks and associated mitigation strategies. Risk mitigations draw support from across the APVMA to ensure risks are managed effectively.

Table 2: Risks and mitigation strategies

Enterprise risk	Mitigation strategies
Loss of confidence in the APVMA’s capability and rigour to deliver regulatory requirements	Maintain and develop the APVMA’s operational capability through the Workforce Management Plan and the Learning and Development Strategy Recruit, train and retain expert staff to continue delivering regulatory requirements, in line with our workforce planning outcome Utilise a systematic, scientific, evidence-based approach to decision-making and operations Utilise our robust Quality Management System (QMS) and Knowledge Management Framework, that supports our risk-based approach Engage with domestic and international stakeholders, as identified in the APVMA Stakeholder Engagement Framework 2020–23, to strengthen our regulatory services and improve regulatory decision-making and compliance outcomes Deliver activities listed in our Operational Plan to support execution of our statutory obligations and strategic priorities
Loss of confidence in the efficiency and effectiveness of the APVMA	Engage with domestic and international stakeholders, as identified in the APVMA Stakeholder Engagement Framework 2020–23, to strengthen our regulatory services and improve regulatory decision-making and compliance outcomes Align regulatory effort with risk wherever practicable Ensure clarity and consistency over regulatory conditions, constraints and decisions Improve stakeholder understanding of our roles and responsibilities
Failure to invest in systems, technology and infrastructure to support delivery of regulatory responsibilities	Deliver a replacement system for the internal and external portals (through the ongoing myAPVMA project), managing end-to-end submission of the work we undertake to support the regulated community Follow our Digital Strategy and reform agenda, which will modernise and improve our ICT infrastructure and systems to support operational needs
APVMA regulatory framework is not fit-for-purpose	Identify and implement contemporary regulatory practice resulting from engagement with stakeholders Monitor our operational timeframe performance and deliver regular, timely reports to the Executive Committee that provide early advice on risks and opportunities and relevant options in response

4.8. Regulator Performance Guide requirements

The Regulator Performance Guide (RPG) aims to lift the performance, capability and culture of Commonwealth regulators and is applicable to the APVMA as a regulator of agvet chemicals. The guide took effect from 1 July 2021, replacing the 2014 Regulator Performance Framework. The guide outlines 3 principles of regulator best practice as follows:

1. Continuous improvement and building trust: Regulators adopt a whole-of-system perspective, continuously improving their performance, capability and culture to build trust and confidence in Australia’s regulatory settings.
2. Risk-based and data-driven: Regulators manage risks proportionately and maintain essential safeguards while minimising regulatory burden and leveraging data and digital technology to support those they regulate to comply and grow.
3. Collaboration and engagement: Regulators are transparent and responsive communicators, implementing regulations in a modern and collaborative way.

We have aligned existing performance measures in this Corporate Plan to these principles, meeting the requirements of the RPG where measures are to be incorporated into existing reporting processes. This change will support greater transparency and accountability of regulator performance by requiring the inclusion of this information in a consistent location for all regulators like the APVMA. These measures are expected to inform robust decision-making whilst minimising any additional reporting burden on regulated entities.

We execute our legislative functions in a manner that balances regulatory effort and any burden imposed by the system of regulation against the risks presented by the proposed use of an agvet product. We aim to ensure regulatory compliance keeps in step with what is reasonably necessary to manage risks to the health and safety of people, animals and the environment.

4.9. Other considerations

The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992 at Part 1A.3 identified performance measures for inclusion in the Annual Report. All prescribed measures in the Act have been incorporated in our Performance Framework.

The Performance Framework aligns with the outcome referenced in the APVMA Portfolio Budget Statement 2022–23.