Find out what is required for each carrier material below
Controlled movement of carriers out of the Murwillumbah or Wardell fire ant movement control areas is regulated under Part 2 of the Order. A Group Biosecurity Emergency Permit allows controlled movements contrary to the Order under certain conditions. The Order and the Permit must be read together. The conditions are similar to the measures in the previous Order, except for the conditions for the newly added carriers. The Order and Permit apply to these controlled movements:
- into the NSW protection zone from a NSW fire ant movement control area (Murwillumbah or Wardell),
- into the NSW fire ant infested area from a NSW fire ant movement control area (Murwillumbah or Wardell),
- between the Murwillumbah fire ant movement control area and the Wardell fire ant movement control area.
If you carry out controlled movements of carriers from the Murwillumbah or Wardell movement control areas (coloured RED on the map) into the NSW Protection Zone, part 2 of the Order applies. You must consider the following:
Biosecurity Emergency Order (No. 3) 2025
The current Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order defines the emergency zones and requirements for moving fire ant carriers.
If you are moving the defined fire ant carriers from the parts of QLD and NSW shown in red, orange or yellow on this map, you must comply with the current Emergency Order. View the current order and Plain English Guide.
GROUP PERMIT FOR HAY SUSPENDED:
The Group Biosecurity Emergency Permit allowing movements of hay from specified lower risk areas of south east Queensland under certain conditions, was suspended for one month from 13th March 2025. This suspension allowed the department to further assess the distribution of fire ants following recent flooding events and determine the current biosecurity risk.
Carrier requirements
Soil & plant-based products
Includes mulch, soil, compost, growing media, soil samples, hay, chaff, silage & turf.
Plants
Includes potted plants, indoor potted plants, excavated plants & stumps
Earth materials
Includes sand, rocks, stones, recycled concrete aggregate, coal fines & chitters.
Equipment and vehicles
Includes heavy vehicles, agricultural & horticultural equipment, earth moving equipment, pallets, packaging, containers & covers.
Waste products
Includes green waste & building waste
