Restrictions on moving plant material, soil and related equipment within Queensland

To limit the spread of pests and diseases, biosecurity laws restrict the movement within Queensland of certain plant material, soil and related equipment.

Documents required to move these items

If you want to move these items within Queensland, you will need to apply for either:

  • a biosecurity certificate
  • a biosecurity instrument permit
  • a restricted matter permit
  • a prohibited matter permit.

Most people who wish to move these items will need a biosecurity certificate. To receive a certificate, you must meet the requirements outlined in the Queensland biosecurity manual (PDF, 1MB). The manual sets out how you must treat, inspect, source and/or pack materials that present a biosecurity risk in order to receive a biosecurity certificate.

A biosecurity certificate for moving items within Queensland can be issued by an inspector appointed under the Biosecurity Act 2014. To apply for a biosecurity certificate, phone the Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23. Fees may apply.

Some items require a biosecurity instrument permit rather than a biosecurity certificate. To apply for a biosecurity instrument permit, download the biosecurity instrument permit application form.

Restricted items are listed below, with brief summaries of the documents required if you wish to move them.

For comprehensive information on restricted items, restrictions and requirements, read the Queensland biosecurity manual (PDF, 1MB).

Papaya plants

If you want to move papaya plants out of Papaya Ringspot Biosecurity Zone 1 in South East Queensland, you will need a biosecurity certificate.

Banana plants, soil and machinery

If you want to move banana plants (other than fruit), soil on which a banana plant has been growing, or machinery used in production of the plants out of any banana biosecurity zone, or into the Northern Banana Biosecurity Zone, you will need a biosecurity certificate.

Cucumber, melon, pumpkin, squash and zucchini plants

If you want to move cucumber, melon, pumpkin, squash and zucchini plants or other plants in the family Cucurbitaceae out of Papaya Ringspot Biosecurity Zone 2, you will need a biosecurity instrument permit.

Grape plants, soil and machinery

If you want to move grape plants, products of a grape plant (including wine and table grapes), soil associated with grape plants, or machinery used in their production into the state phylloxera exclusion zone, you will need a biosecurity certificate.

Material from the far northern biosecurity zones

Far North Queensland is a high-risk area for the introduction of plant pests and diseases from nearby Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. The spread of pests into the rest of the state poses a significant risk to our agricultural industries.

Two far northern biosecurity zones have been established in the northern half of Cape York Peninsula to control movement of risk items that may carry pests and diseases south. High-risk pests and diseases, such as black Sigatoka, red banded mango caterpillar and island sugarcane planthopper, are included in these far northern biosecurity zone restrictions.

Moving plants, plant pests, soils and related equipment out of these zones requires a biosecurity instrument permit.

Items from fire ant biosecurity zones

If you are moving materials that may carry fire ants, within or outside of the fire ant biosecurity zones, you must take all reasonable steps to ensure you do not spread the pest.

Soil is considered a high-risk material for carrying fire ants. Mitigation measures for moving soil are outlined in the Biosecurity Regulation 2016.

You will need a biosecurity instrument permit before you move soil from a property:

  • within zone 2 to a property in zone 1
  • within the zones to a property outside of the zones.

Items from the electric ant biosecurity zone

Biosecurity instrument permits are required to move an electric ant carrier from a property within the electric ant biosecurity zone, unless your property is within the lesser restrictions area or the carrier is moved to an approved waste facility.

Electric ant carriers include:

  • soil
  • potted plants
  • cuttings from plants
  • fruit from plants
  • a thing that has come into contact with the ground (e.g. bee hives, pot plants, garden furniture)
  • turf
  • mulch
  • baled hay or straw
  • composted materials
  • animal manures
  • material that is a product or by-product of mining or quarrying.

Sugarcane plants, soil and machinery

Sugarcane machinery must be cleaned (to be visibly free from soil and plant material) and inspected before it can be moved between sugarcane biosecurity zones in Queensland.

Sugarcane plants and soil on which sugarcane plants have been growing require a biosecurity certificate before being moved from a sugarcane biosecurity zone in Queensland.

Also consider...

  • Last reviewed: 1 Jul 2016
  • Last updated: 27 Jun 2023