Further Enquiries:

Research Branch
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
SA 5005
AUSTRALIA
Research Branch Email

Telephone: +61 8 8313 5137
Facsimile: +61 8 8313 3700

ORECI Facsimile:
+61 8 8313 7325
ORECI Email

Quarantine Approved Premises

About Quarantine Approved Premises

A Quarantine Approved Premise (QAP) is a specific facility registered by the University and approved by AQIS to receive quarantine goods of a high risk nature and for the storage, use or further processing of products that are subject to quarantine.

To gain approval for registration as a QAP the premises must meet certain conditions to assure AQIS that the risk of any quarantine breach is minimal. In the case of plant, animal, microbiological and invertebrate research facilities, AQIS requires that premises comply with the AQIS QAP Conditions of Approval and the conditions in the relevant QAP Class Criteria and also the design and construction aspects of the Australian/New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 2982.1:1997 (Laboratory Design and Construction) and AS/NZS 2243.3:2002 (Safety in Laboratories).

There are several classes of QAP and also facility types, depending upon the nature of work undertaken in the facility. AQIS is currently putting in place a new approval and registration process for QAPs that includes new quarantine containment criteria and new conditions. Late in 2005, AQIS released new criteria for Class 5 QAPs and new criteria was issued for Class 7 QAPs (which now includes Animal and Insect Quarantine Holding Facilities)

There are four levels of containment established by AQIS. These are in ascending order of the stringency of containment requirements, which reflect the level of risk:

Quarantine Containment Level 1 (QC1)
Quarantine Containment Level 2 (QC2)
Quarantine Containment Level 3 (QC3)
Quarantine Containment Level 4 (QC4)

Imported goods which have been allocated a particular quarantine containment level must either be retained in a facility at that allotted level (eg. QC2) or within a facility which is at a higher level (ie. QC3 or QC4).

The classes and types of facilities of relevance to the University include:

Class 5	Analytical and Research Laboratories • for research, analysis and/or testing of imported biological material including microorganisms, animal and human products and soil • includes laboratories, animal facilities, plant laboratories and plant growth rooms Note: includes those QAPs previously in Class 5.1 Analytical and Research Laboratories and Class 5.2 Biologicals (for the use in non-laboratory animals)
Class 6	Plant Quarantine Facilities • for any standard plant house which is to be used for quarantine of nursery stock (post-entry plant quarantine) • closed quarantine facilities include glasshouses, polyhouses, igloos, tunnelhouses, etc (excludes screenhouses)
Class 7	Insects • for the importing and/or holding/breeding and quarantine containment of live insects prior to their authorised release from quarantine • includes Insectaries

QAP Containment Criteria for each class and containment level

Co-location

Co-location of several siblings under one parent QAP is being undertaken by the University of Adelaide. This is being done primarily with minimisation of cost and administration in mind.

Users need to be keenly aware that with many sibling laboratories listed under one parent QAP, the risk exists that a quarantine transgression by one lab will adversely affect other compliant labs.

This is just another reason why the quarantine guidelines need to be adhered to and that personnel who have undertaken the quarantine training are present when quarantine material is handled.

More information on the above can be found at http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/import/general-info/qap/class-5/qapco-location

Do you need a Quarantine Approved Premise?

Biosecurity Australia identifies the quarantine risks for commodities and, where appropriate, recommends an appropriate level of containment. Not all goods that are imported will require containment in a QAP. Check the permit conditions very carefully for QAP requirements. Import Permits issued since late 2005 will state if the goods are required to be held within a QAP and the Class and specific containment level (QC1 through to QC4) of the QAP required.

If you require a facility to be registered as a QAP, please contact the Research Compliance Officer .

QAP Registration Numbers

New AQIS requirements have resulted in a change to the QAP Registration for many facilities at both the Waite and North Terrace campuses.

As part of the new collocation requirements, AQIS is in the process of allocating individual identifiers to each facility and details will be forwarded to facilities once they have been determined.

It is most important that when you list QAP registration details on an application for an import permit that you make sure you list ALL of the registrations that apply. If you propose to take material between facilities, check whether you need an AQIS transfer approval first.

If you have any other queries please contact the Research Compliance Officer.

Third Party Assessments

As researchers may be aware, QAPS at level QC2 and above (in addition to QC1 QAPs that may wish to upgrade to QC2 in the future), are currently being third party assessed. Third party assessment is required by AQIS in order for continued eligibility to operate as a QAP.

A third party assessor will survey aspects of the laboratory relating to physical containment. Such parameters as air and water flows, condition of walls, floors, ceilings, benches and cupboards will be assessed.

The University has completed third party assessments for most QAPs. As of July 2012 over
90 per cent of facilities that required QC2 status, based on their imported material risk, have achieved the rating.