The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) will assess all applications in accordance with APVMA legislation in a timely and efficient manner. There is no statutory timeframe for the processing of applications for Certificates of Export but the APVMA will endeavour to process certificate applications within 20 working days.
Delays may occur if the proposed certificate includes details that do not match APVMA records, or if there are unexpected delays in the authentication or apostille process (if requested).
Application fees
Fees for certificates are prescribed in the APVMA’s regulations. The standard application fee is $125, with a further $105 payable if technical or scientific assessment is needed.
If an applicant applies for subsequent certificate(s) on the same day as their original application, they may be entitled to a refund of fees paid on the second application if either:
- the subsequent certificate is the same in all respects as the original certificate
- the only difference is the address of the applicant or the details of the importing country.
The APVMA will contact applicants to discuss refund arrangements in these circumstances.
Legalisation of Documents (authentications and apostilles)
Foreign governments sometimes require proof the signatures of Australian officials on documents are genuine before they can be accepted. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will certify that a signature, stamp or seal on an official Australian public document is genuine by checking it against an original or specimen held on file. DFAT will certify a certificate in the form of an 'authentication' or an 'apostille', which is signed by DFAT staff and sealed with a wet and/or a dry seal.
The choice of apostille or authentication is dependent on the importing country's requirements. Apostille would normally only apply to countries that are signatories to the Apostille Convention, but applicants should confirm the requirements with the importing country before applying for the certificate.
Section 3.550 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Regulations 1995 allows the APVMA to obtain DFAT apostille or authentication on the applicant’s behalf for certificates issued under section 69D of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992. The applicant is required to pay the relevant DFAT fee as part of the application process.
DFAT charges
- Authentications or apostille – for signing and affixing a seal to the export certificate: $98 per certificate, noting this fee is subject to annual review by DFAT on 1 January each year.