From 1 January 2018, if you import regulated timber products into Australia, or process domestically grown raw logs, you may face penalties up to $12,500.00 per offence for failing to comply with the illegal logging laws’ due diligence requirements, in addition to civil and criminal prosecution.

The Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 makes it a criminal offence to import illegally logged timber products into Australia or to process Australian grown timber that has been illegally logged. This prohibition applies to all imported timber products (excluding those prescribed as exempt by the Regulation) and all domestically grown logs processed in Australia. ‘Illegally logged’ is defined as timber harvested in contravention of laws in force in the place where the timber was harvested.

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) undertakes audits to assess compliance with the due diligence requirements of the legislation.

If your business is chosen for an audit, the department will send you a Request for Information Notice. This will require you to provide information about your due diligence system and how it was applied to the importation of a specific regulated timber product or the processing of logs. You are required to provide the requested information by the date stated on the notice.