Source: http://apvma.gov.au/node/9841
Timestamp: 2017-02-20 11:07:03
Document Index: 166083566

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3']

Portfolio Multicultural Plan 2013–15 | Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
HomeRegistrations and permitsRegistrations and permitsChemical product registrationChemical product registrationApplying for approvals, registrations and variationsApplying for a label approvalWhich products/chemicals require registrationWhich products/chemicals require registrationDoes my veterinary product need to be registered?Does my veterinary product need to be registered?User guide: what is or isn't a veterinary product?User guide: what is or isn't a veterinary product?Animal cosmetic productsAnimal cosmetic productsExcluded animal cosmetic products—acceptable cosmetic messagesAnimal feed productsAnimal feed productsAcceptable nutritional messagesFeed supplements—acceptable nutritional messagesOther requirements for whole unprocessed animal tissueDevices, equipment and physical barrier productsOther products that don't require registrationRegistration self-assessment tool (veterinary)Does my agricultural product need to be registered?Changes to stockfeed and petfood regulationEND product FAQsNovel productsArrangements for products of low regulatory concernArrangements for products of low regulatory concernRegistration modelsRegistration modelsOral electrolyte products for the treatment of horses in exerciseReserved chemical productsListed chemical productExemptionsSubstances not permitted for use on food-producing animals in AustraliaBefore you applyBefore you applyAbout the approval and registration processWho can applyRestricted chemical productsConditions of approval or registration and label approvalPre-application assistanceMinor variationsTechnical assessmentThe risk analysis processTimeframe and feesInterchangeable Constituent Determination - Item 29What to include in your applicationWhat to include in your applicationData guidelinesEvidence of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for veterinary chemical productsEvidence of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for veterinary chemical productsProviding evidence of good manufacturing practice (GMP)Guidance for preparing information listsDossiersRequired informationStatutory criteriaStatutory criteriaActive constituentChemical productChemical productSafety criteriaEfficacy criteriaTrade criteriaLabelling criteriaSatisfying the statutory criteriaAg Labelling CodeVet Labelling CodeApply nowAfter you applyAfter you applyWhat happens nextPreliminary assessmentRequiring samples or further informationRequiring samples or further informationRequiring additional informationRequiring samples to be given for analysisExtended assessment period and maximum response periodRecategorising an application item or module levelRenew a registrationRenew a registrationAbout the application processTimeframe and feesApply nowTechnical policyTechnical policyNo-observed-effect level (NOEL) and no-observed-adverse effect level (NOAEL): use in animal health risk assessmentsAfter registrationAfter registrationChanges to products and activesChanges to products and activesReporting relevant informationAnnual return of activesAnnual return of activesAnnual reporting of actives–frequently asked questionsLevies charged on registered product salesLevies charged on registered product salesDeclaration of leviable valuesNotice of levy assessmentPrimary and secondary applicationsData guidelinesData guidelinesListing of data guidelinesLabelling codesLabelling codesGlobally harmonized system of classification and labellingListing of labelling codesPermitsPermitsBefore you applyBefore you applyAbout the application processTypes of permitsTypes of permitsAgricultural permitsExport, research and miscellaneous permitsMinor use and emergency permitsMinor use and emergency permitsGuide for determining emergency uses or research purposesGuide for determining minor usesPre-application assistanceWho can applyWho can applyFit and proper person testTechnical assessmentTimeframe and feesAbility to comply with conditionsWhat to include in your applicationWhat to include in your applicationData guidelinesDossiersRequired informationStatutory criteriaStatutory criteriaActive constituentChemical productChemical productSafety criteriaEfficacy criteriaTrade criteriaSatisfying the statutory criteriaLabelling requirementsAfter you applyAfter you applyWhat happens nextPreliminary assessmentRequiring samples or further informationRequiring samples or further informationExtended assessment period and maximum response periodRecategorising an application item or module levelApply nowExtend the duration of a permitSearch for a permitManufacturingManufacturingManufacturing licencesManufacturing licencesManufacturers’ Licensing SchemeApplying for a manufacturing licenceWho can applyManufacturing licence feesLicence conditionsAfter you applyVariation of a manufacturing licenceAudits to obtain and vary a licenceApply nowResponsibilities of manufacturersExporting veterinary chemical productsManufacturing overseasManufacturing overseasGMP in overseas premisesRecognition of overseas GMP authoritiesOverseas GMP documentationAcceptable evidence of GMP complianceAPVMA audits of overseas manufacturersContract manufactureContract manufactureRelease for supplyPerforming release for supplyResponsibilities in contract manufactureGood Manufacturing Practice (GMP)Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)The legislative basis for the APVMA’s role in manufacturing quality and licensingManufacturing PrinciplesVeterinary manufacturing permitAuditsAuditsArranging and undergoing an auditAudit ratings and scoresAudits of Australian veterinary chemical product manufacturing sitesAudits of overseas manufacturing sites by APVMA-authorised auditorsAudit closureThe GMP audit cycleRisk-based scheduling of GMP auditsLicensed manufacturersImport and exportImport and exportImporting agricultural chemicals or veterinary medicinesImporting agricultural chemicals or veterinary medicinesResponsibilities of importersExport certificatesExport certificatesBefore you applyBefore you applyAbout the application processTimeframe and feesWho can applyCommon types of certificatesWhat to include in your applicationWhat to include in your applicationInformation to be provided with a request for a section 70 certificateInformation to be provided with applications for certificates of exportApply nowHolders and nominated agentsHolders and nominated agentsChange a holder or nominated agentChange a holder or nominated agentAbout the application processTimeframe and feesDefinition of roles and actions for holders, nominated and authorised agents and authorising partiesMaking changes to veterinary products and actives—clarification for industryGetting assistance from the APVMAGetting assistance from the APVMAGeneral assistancePre-application assistancePre-application assistanceApplying for pre-application assistanceGetting the most out of pre-application assistancePre-application assistance— timeframes and feesHow to withdraw a request for pre-application assistanceHow to apply for pre-application assistanceTechnical assessmentOther Australian Government requirementsOther Australian Government requirementsDrinking water guidelines—pesticidesLimits on use and disclosure of informationLimits on use and disclosure of informationInformation and the use of informationLimitation periodsApplication informationInformation listsAuthorising partyTrade-related aspects of intellectual property rightsExceptionsSeek review of a decisionSeek review of a decisionReviewing decisionsApproval or variation of an active constituent or registrationPermitsRenewal of registrationCertificates for exporting agricultural and veterinary chemical productChange the holder or nominated agentManufacturing licencesApplications and decisionsApplications and decisionsApplication summariesApplication summariesApplication summariesTransitional arrangementsTransitional arrangementsApplicationsChemical reviews commenced before 1 July 2014Chemicals and ProductsChemicals and ProductsSearch registered chemical products and permitsSearch registered chemical products and permitsSearch PubCRISUsing PubCRISReport a problem with a chemicalReport a problem with a chemicalAdverse Experience Reporting ProgramAdverse Experience Reporting ProgramThe importance of the programScope of the programWho can report an adverse experience?Adverse Experience Reporting Program for veterinary medicinesAdverse Experience Reporting Program for agricultural chemicalsWhat happens nextHow do I report an adverse experience?Using chemicalsUsing chemicalsInformation for farmersInformation for farmersChemicals and farmingUseful links for farmersInformation for veterinariansChoosing a chemicalUnderstanding pesticide chemical labelsConcerns about chemicalsUsing chemicals correctlyUsing chemicals correctlyWorkplace health and safetyProtective clothingSpraying chemicalsUsing veterinary medicinesUsing pool chemicalsChemicals in the newsChemicals in the newsInformation about glyphosate useCurrent review of 2,4-D and IARC’s assessmentHendra virus vaccineHendra virus vaccineProduct registrationSafety, health and side effectsAdverse reactions and how to report themSummary of adverse experience reports made to the APVMA about Hendra virus vaccineRelated linksParkinson's disease and agricultural chemical regulationPyrethrin and pyrethroid use on catsPyrethrin and pyrethroid use on catsAPVMA's roleToxicityGuidance for cat ownersSpray driftPesticides and veterinary residuesChemical reviewChemical reviewListing of chemical reviewsChemicals nominated and prioritised for reconsiderationChemicals nominated and prioritised for reconsiderationSystem to prioritise nominated chemicals for reviewChemical review processChemical review processLegislative basisRegulatory scienceHistory of the chemical review programThe reconsideration processTimeframes for chemical reviewsSupplying chemicals and chemical products in AustraliaSupplying chemicals and chemical products in AustraliaSupply and sale of hormonal growth promotantsHydroponic Product Sellers and agvet chemicalsActive constituentsActive constituentsAPVMA standards for Active ConstituentsActive constituents not requiring evaluationGeneral list of impurities and classes of impurities of toxicological concernProcess for developing a standard for active constituentsApproval of active constituentsTrade-related aspects of intellectual property rights protectionHormonal growth promotantsCompliance and EnforcementCompliance and EnforcementReport suspected non-complianceRecallsCompliance monitoringCompliance monitoringThe ongoing responsibilities of holdersThe ongoing responsibilities of holdersConditions set by the APVMAMaintaining particularsProduct stewardshipCertificates issued under section 70 of the Administration ActEvidential certificatesAdministering holder and nominated agent detailsMonitoring and audit activitiesMonitoring and audit activitiesApproved analystsApproved analystsCriteria for Appointment as Approved AnalystAudits and inspections frequently asked questionsCurrent compliance campaignsGood Manufacturing Practice (GMP)Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)Arranging and undergoing an auditAuditing of Australian veterinary chemical product manufacturing sitesAudits of overseas manufacturing sites by APVMA-authorised auditorsSwimming Pool Sanitation and the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code 1994Advertising agricultural and veterinary chemical productsCompliance and Enforcement PolicyCompliance and Enforcement PolicyDisclosure of informationCompliance and Enforcement FrameworkCompliance and Enforcement FrameworkOur compliance and enforcement principlesOur compliance and enforcement authority and powersAPVMA Compliance—our risk-based approachResponsive compliance and enforcementOur powers to manage risk and enforce complianceNoncompliance and recallsPowers to manage risk or enforce complianceEnforcement actionsCivil and criminal actionsAPVMA administration and oversight of compliance and enforcementCompliance and Enforcement guidelinesCompliance and Enforcement guidelinesExemptions from certain offence provisions of the Agvet CodeCancellation or suspension of a permit for noncompliance or prior convictionsCancellation or suspension of a registration or permit to prevent imminent riskConsent to import chemical productsEnforceable directionsEnforceable undertakingsFormal warningsInfringement noticesNotices to attend, give information or produce documents or thingsStop supply or recall noticesSubstantiation noticesSection 99 noticesOur scienceOur scienceOffice of the Chief ScientistAPVMA standard on good regulatory scienceScience FellowsRegulatory Science NetworkThe application of science to regulatory risk assessmentThe application of science to regulatory risk assessmentNanotechnology regulationThe risk analysis frameworkAboutAboutAPVMA basicsAPVMA basicsWhat we regulateWhat we don't regulateWhat we don't regulateProducts we don’t regulateProduct advice and competitionUse of chemicalsWorkplace health and safetyLab testing and product trialsManagement of use of pesticides and veterinary medicinesHow we regulateOur structureOur structureChief Executive OfficerOur boards and committeesOur boards and committeesAdvisory BoardAudit CommitteeRegistration Liaison CommitteeAPVMA cost recovery arrangementsAPVMA cost recovery arrangementsCost recovery questions and answersAcronyms and glossaryAcronyms and glossaryDefinition of termsAbbreviations and acronymsOther informationOther informationCorporate governanceOur functions and powersThe role of the APVMAThe role of the APVMAThe APVMA's regulatory activitiesThe APVMA's regulatory activitiesAccess to safe and effective agricultural and veterinary chemicalsOngoing compliance to ensure safety and efficacyThe Record and RegisterA trusted regulatorA trusted regulatorOrganization of economic cooperation and developmentVICHJoint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide ResiduesJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food AdditivesHarmonisationCollaborative and overseas assessmentsCollaborative and overseas assessmentsUse of international data, assessments, standards and decisions—guide for applicantsThe Rotterdam and Stockholm conventionsCommunication, decision making and informationCommunication, decision making and informationCommunication between applicants and the APVMACommunication between applicants and the APVMAWhen we will notify applicantsConsultation and collaborationConsultation and collaborationPublic consultationsTransparencyData handling by the APVMAData handling by the APVMAApproach to managing confidential commercial information (CCI)Applications without written consent for reference productsExternal adviceVision, mission and purposeChemical regulation basicsChemical regulation basicsOverview of agvet chemical regulationThe chemical and permit databasesProduct regulation according to riskLegislative frameworkRisk managementService charterHow we make decisionsHow we make decisionsBackground to the reforms and the section 6A guidelinesOverarching principles and processes for the effective and efficient regulation of agricultural and veterinary chemical productsApprovals and registrationsPreliminary assessmentPermitsLicencesRecategorising applicationsAltering applicationsSection 159 in the context of applications under the Agvet codeLimits on use of informationReconsidering approvals and registrationsVarying relevant particulars and conditionsModule DescriptorsFormulation typesAccess to information held by the APVMAAccess to information held by the APVMAAgricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code requestsFreedom of InformationFreedom of InformationFreedom of information disclosure logAccess, accountability and reportingAccess, accountability and reportingQuarterly report: October–December 2016Quarterly report: October–December 2016Analysis by type of applicationMajor and non-technical product applicationsApplication by item numberAverage decision timeOther regulatory functions2016–17 year to date performance overviewGlossary of termsQuarterly report: July–September 2016Quarterly report: July–September 2016Part 1: Overview July–September 2016Part 2: Applications for products, actives and permitsPart 2: Applications for products, actives and permitsPerformance statistics July–September 2016: Applications commencedPerformance statistics July–September 2016: Applications finalisedPerformance statistics July–September 2016: Average decision timePerformance statistics July–September 2016: Performance by assessment typePerformance statistics July–September 2016: Preliminary assessment applicationsPerformance statistics July–September 2016: Staffing considerationsPerformance statistics July–September 2016: Timeframe performancePerformance statistics July–September 2016: Work-in-progressPerformance statistics July–September 2016: Pre-application assistancePart 3: Other timeframe performance results July–September 2016APVMA Regulator Performance FrameworkAPVMA legal expenditureAnalysis of time to complete a product applicationAnnual Procurement PlanAuditsInformation Publication SchemeInformation Publication SchemeInformation publication scheme agency planPesticides and Veterinary Medicines Product SalesPublic Interest Disclosure ProceduresPart 1: OverviewPart 2: Applications for products, actives and permitsPart 2: Applications for products, actives and permitsApplication typesApplications commencedApplications finalisedAverage decision timeAverage decision timeInterpreting average decision timeInterpreting timeframe performancePerformance by type of product assessmentPre-application assistancePreliminary assessmentStaffing considerationsTimeframe performanceWork-in-progressAgency contracts over $100,000Indexed list of filesPart 3: Other timeframe performance resultsStatutory appointmentsPortfolio Budget StatementsCareersCareersConditions of EmploymentEquity and DiversityProcedures for Determining Breaches of the APS Code of Conduct and for Determining SanctionSocial mediaSocial mediaAPVMA Twitter policyDisclaimerTerms of UseOnline servicesNews and publicationsNews and publicationsNewsAPVMA relocationAPVMA relocationAPVMA relocation advisory committee terms of referenceFrequently Asked Questions—RelocationRegulatory updateMedia ReleasesPublic consultationsPublic consultationsClosedPublic Release SummariesTrade Advice NoticesCrop groupsProjectsProjectsImproved access to chemicalsImproved access to chemicalsThe crop groupings projectThe crop groupings projectCrop groupings project—consolidated responses to phase I consultation—March 2016Lower regulatory approaches to registrationLower regulatory approaches to registrationApplication profiling and registration pathwaysApplication profilingOnline fast-track registration systemExpanded list of notifiable variationsStandards and monographs for low risk productsContestability of the efficacy assessmentContestability of the efficacy assessmentAgricultural scientific reviewersVeterinary scientific reviewersEventsEventsPrevious APVMA eventsPrevious APVMA eventsAPVMA Advisory Board Futures Forum 2014APVMA Advisory Board Futures Forum 2014APVMA Advisory Board Futures Forum 2014 - SummationAPVMA Nanotechnology Regulation Symposium 2014Industry Information and Education Session in Sydney on 1 June 2015Industry Information and Education Sessions in Melbourne on 17 August 2015Program and speaker information—Canberra Industry Information and Education Session 15 and 16 October 2015Industry Information and Education Session in Canberra 15 and 16 October 2015Industry Information and Education Session in Canberra 15 and 16 October 2015Transcript for Andrew Negri, Australian Institute of Marine ScienceTranscript for Chris Lee-SteereTranscript for Distinguished Professor Jim RiviereTranscript for Distinguished Professor Nancy Monteiro-RiviereTranscript for Dr Jason Lutze, APVMATranscript for Dr Phil ReevesTranscript for Dr Raj Bhula, APVMATranscript for Ms Janis Baines, FSANZTranscript for Professor Michael RobertsIndustry Information and Education Sessions in Canberra 8–9 November 2016Program and speaker information—Canberra Industry Information and Education Sessions 8–9 November 2016Industry Information and Education Sessions in Melbourne on 9 May 2016PublicationsPublicationsAPVMA GazetteAdverse Experience Reporting Program annual reportsPortfolio Multicultural Plan 2013–15Corporate documentsAnnual reportsManualsTrainingTrainingTraining workshops and eventsTraining workshops and eventsPermits eLearning module (text only)Registrations eLearning module (text only)eLearning modulesOnline services updateFormsContact us This content is current only at the time of printing. This document was printed on 20 February 2017. A current copy is located at http://apvma.gov.au/node/9841 Print this page
You are hereHomeNews and publicationsPublicationsPortfolio Multicultural Plan 2013–15 Portfolio Multicultural Plan 2013–15
All government departments and agencies are required to prepare a two-year multicultural plan that is aimed at improving their performance in responding to the needs of Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) population.
The purpose of the portfolio multicultural plan is to ensure that the intended benefits of the Multicultural Access and Equity Policy are realised and fully delivered by providing a clear, objective basis for measuring the portfolio’s commitment and performance against agreed and clearly articulated actions and targets.
This portfolio multicultural plan covers the Department of Agriculture (the department), and two agencies, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
The department provides advice and support to the Australian Government on agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry. We deliver a range of programs and services to achieve the government’s objectives and to support stakeholders in these sectors. Within the portfolio, we support the minister and the parliamentary secretary in exercising their governance responsibilities in relation to portfolio agencies, advise on and oversee portfolio legislative and regulatory development, administer special appropriations for portfolio agencies and support advisory bodies.
The department employs over 5,000 staff in Australia and overseas, including policy officers, program administrators, economists, scientists, biosecurity officers, meat inspectors, researchers, veterinary officers, communicators and project managers. Our staff work in places as varied as offices, airports, mail centres, shipping ports, laboratories and abattoirs, located in regional centres, rural communities and capital cities.
The department engages with a significant number of clients (those persons and businesses directly impacted by programs, service delivery or regulation) and stakeholders (those who have an interest in policy and its impact, but are not directly affected by it), including public and private companies, brokers, industry associations, not-for-profit organisations, state and territory governments and other Commonwealth agencies. We also collaborate with other countries through bilateral and multilateral engagement and our involvement in international and regional bodies.
AFMA is responsible for ensuring the sustainable use and cost–effective management of Commonwealth fish resources. It provides management, advisory, compliance and licensing services and develops operational policies and regulations. The Australian Government and the commercial fishing industry jointly fund AFMA. Costs of managing commercial fisheries under the Commonwealth’s jurisdiction are recovered through levies and charges.
AFMA also undertakes foreign compliance functions through participation in the Australian Government’s civil maritime surveillance and response program, and outreach activities providing advice and training in neighbouring countries. AFMA’s role includes fisheries enforcement, planning, training and vessel disposal activities.
The APVMA is the independent Australian Government statutory authority responsible for the assessment and registration of agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals up to and including the point of retail sale. The APVMA evaluates the safety and performance of chemicals intended for sale in Australia, ensuring that the health and safety of people, animals and crops, the environment and trade are protected. Registered products must also not unduly jeopardise Australia's trade with other nations.
The department will lead and work collaboratively with AFMA and the APVMA to establish an effective and appropriate governance structure for the Portfolio Multicultural Plan, under which activities in the action plan will be progressed in an appropriate manner.
Our vision for multicultural access and equity
Our portfolio’s vision for multicultural access and equity is 'excellence in the delivery of services to all of our clients'.
The portfolio aspires to ensure that excellence in our services is maintained by responding to our clients’ needs and expectations. Quality in delivery is achieved through consistency in access and outcomes, regardless of our clients’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
The department works to sustain the way of life and prosperity of all Australians. We lead the development of policy advice and provide services to improve the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and related industries. We help people and goods move in and out of Australia while managing the risks to the environment and animal, plant and human health. Our current goals are:
resources – ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources
productivity – improving the competitiveness of portfolio industries
markets – enabling trade in goods.
To achieve this, the department works throughout the entire supply chain, from producer to consumer. We:
work with the Australian Government to develop and deliver policies and programs that help our portfolio industries
provide biosecurity services offshore, at the border and onshore to protect the environment, people’s health and our portfolio industries
work through our biosecurity services to maintain Australia’s favourable pest and disease status
provide export certification services to support access to overseas markets for Australian agricultural commodities
protect and develop the natural resource base on which our portfolio industries rely
negotiate access to international markets for our animals, plants, seafood and associated products
provide independent and integrated economic and scientific research, analysis and policy advice
represent the Australian Government at international meetings relating to the portfolio, to promote sustainable resource management, build agricultural productivity, protect Australia’s biosecurity and support free trade.
The department has commenced a Service Delivery Modernisation (SDM) program, which aims to define and transition the department to a client-focused, modern service delivery model through an agreed channel strategy and detailed implementation plan.
This program builds on previous work to improve the department’s service delivery operations, most notably work to increase consistency in the delivery of national services. It is on a much broader scale than previous efforts and seeks to take a whole-of-department approach to improving our service delivery to clients. Consequently, many of the targets referred to in the Portfolio Multicultural Plan will fall under the remit of this initiative.
AFMA aims to pursue ecologically sustainable and economically efficient Commonwealth fisheries, through understanding and monitoring Australia’s marine living resources and regulating and monitoring commercial fishing, including domestic licensing and deterrence of illegal foreign fishing. To achieve this outcome, AFMA’s focus over the coming period is on:
managing Commonwealth fisheries inline with the Commonwealth Harvest Strategy Policy and guidelines that facilitate sustainable and profitable fisheries
preventing unacceptable impacts of Commonwealth fisheries on marine ecosystems and organisms by assessing risk and applying ecological risk assessment and ecological risk management frameworks, and managing all fisheries in line with Commonwealth policy on bycatch
continuously improving the efficiency and cost effectiveness of fisheries administration, including providing incentives for voluntary compliance through simplified regulation of the commercial fishing industry and technologies that match the core needs of AFMA and its stakeholders
deterring and preventing illegal foreign fishing in the Australian Fishing Zone and adjoining regions by providing the fisheries focus in the Australian Government border protection arrangements, prosecuting offences, disposing of forfeited boats, gear and catches, and engaging in capacity building programs and cooperative monitoring, control and surveillance activities with regional countries.
The APVMA administers the National Registration Scheme for agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals and the scheme’s legislation in partnership with state and territory governments and a number of Australian government agencies. Australia’s system for managing agvet chemicals is a risk management system designed to provide a systematic, structured and scientific, evidence-based approach to our decision making.
The APVMA independently evaluates the safety and performance of chemicals intended for sale in Australia, ensuring that the health and safety of people, animals, crops, the environment and trade are protected. Before they can be registered, chemicals and products must be shown to work and be safe for people and the environment. Registered products must also not unduly jeopardise Australia’s trade with other nations. The states and territories are responsible for regulating and managing the use of agvet chemicals once they are sold.
How our work impacts on Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities
The department’s work primarily impacts Australia’s CaLD communities in their role as clients through the delivery of services. Services provide information and products to clients. Our services include:
assessment – risk and opportunity, document, business performance
advice – biosecurity, policy, economic, scientific, social, risk, market access, legal, business performance, emergency response
information evaluation – information monitoring, social analytics, modelling and forecasting biosecurity intelligence, compliance intelligence, economic modelling, search, client evaluation
audit – operational, business assurance
examination – inspection, surveillance
intervention – prevention, emergency preparedness, emergency response
enforcement – investigation, incentive
recognition – accreditation, registration, permits and licensing, agreements, quota administration
communications – stakeholder engagement, advocacy, liaison, promotions, public relations, publications, departmental communications, government communications, media relations
client support – relationship management, client assistance
education – capacity building, staff development, training
cost recovery – charges and payments
knowledge and content management – library services, information sharing and collaboration, information and records management
finance operations, business planning, business administration (including program, levy, financial arrangements, grants).
The department delivers these services to clients through a variety of channels. We define a channel as a way in which a service is delivered to a client. Our channels include:
on-site – at the department, offshore, mobile, third–party premises
on paper – forms, faxes, email, mail, print
online – automated data exchange, self–service, web publishing, business system
on-call – voice, video conference, instant messaging
on-air – radio, television, voice/vodcast/podcast.
The department’s clients include:
residents, migrants, tourists, the Indigenous, scientists, environmentalists, families
importers, exporters, producers, transporters, points of entry (ports, airports), farmers, not-for-profit organisations, community groups
other Commonwealth agencies, state and territory governments, defence organisations, border protection agencies, environmental agencies, international bodies, international trading partners.
AFMA impacts Australia’s CaLD communities in a similar way to the department. However, AFMA’s focus is on sustainable fisheries and the communities associated with the management of Australia’s fisheries resources. In addition to those services set out above, specific services and delivery channels for AFMA include:
assessment – fisheries compliance and ecological risk and opportunity assessment
advice – fishery–specific management advisory committees and Research Advisory Groups
examination – inspection and surveillance of fishing vessels
observation – AFMA staff and remote electronic equipment observe fishing activities and record scientific information.
In comparison, the APVMA characterises its business through its stakeholders, which include the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, the community, the chemicals industry, farmers and farm workers and other users of pesticides and veterinary medicines.
Our current support
The department’s work to date to support our Multicultural Access and Equity Policy has concentrated on the service delivery aspect of our business. Our service delivery initiatives have focussed on efforts to educate and inform through offering advice to individuals and businesses around import and export conditions at points of entry.
Based on feedback, we have also identified language user groups that require additional support around education and language needs. The department's website provides details of languages supported by translation services (external site), with educational and awareness material relating to quarantine, animal and plant health, and the use of farm chemicals.
The department supports border staff with internal documentation, such as guides, tour group facilitation resources, and a cultural awareness calendar and fact sheets, so that they might provide assistance to people from non-English speaking backgrounds. We also maintain an internal Linguists Register to assist in providing feedback on the Extension and Outreach program in languages other than English.
As a regulator of commercial fishing, AFMA has formal advisory bodies that reflect the range of interests in Commonwealth fisheries. The participants of these bodies reflect the cultural diversity and community backgrounds of their clients and maintain regular communication and awareness of specific needs relevant to people from CaLD backgrounds.
The APVMA has launched a booklet and poster titled Understanding Pesticide Chemical Labels, which was designed for farmers, market gardeners and home pesticide users. Industry contacts subsequently suggested that the APVMA develop a Vietnamese translation as a pilot edition. Further translations in Chinese, Arabic and Khmer languages are under development for the APVMA website.
How our portfolio multicultural plan supports our core business
The Portfolio Multicultural Plan supports our core business by articulating how our CaLD clients interact with us through our channels to enable us to meet their needs more effectively in the provision and delivery of services.
In addition, the Portfolio Multicultural Plan defines how partners who deliver services on our behalf should work with and address the needs of CaLD clients in line with our principles, guidelines, commitments and standards.
Finally, the Portfolio Multicultural Plan outlines our stakeholders in the Australian Government Multicultural Access and Equity Policy and ensures that they are consulted and represented in the implementation of the Portfolio Multicultural Plan.
Responsibility for our portfolio multicultural plan
The Senior Executive Officer responsible for our Portfolio Multicultural Plan is the First Assistant Secretary, People and Service Delivery, Department of Agriculture.
What we seek to achieve through our portfolio multicultural pPlan
Our Portfolio Multicultural Plan facilitates and enables more effective interaction with our CaLD clients through our channels. It provides a mechanism to communicate our performance targets that measure whether our clients’ needs are being met in the provision of services.
The Portfolio Multicultural Plan also ensures that the standard of delivery is defined and maintained by those partners who work on the portfolio’s behalf with our CaLD clients.
Finally, by outlining the portfolio’s stakeholder needs in the implementation of the Portfolio Multicultural Plan, we are better able to engage with them through inclusive consultation that will deliver change through the fulfilment of the Portfolio Multicultural Plan’s actions.
Our portfolio multicultural plan's structure
The portfolio multicultural plan is structured and guided using the six policy obligations outlined in the Australian Government Multicultural Access and Equity Policy:
Each obligation is introduced and addressed in turn.
Knowing the clients we serve, understanding their needs and addressing their barriers to equitable access or engagement is crucial to achieving the portfolio’s outcomes. The portfolio is committed to engaging effectively with, and being responsive to, cultural and linguistic diversity, both in the national interest as part of this whole-of-government initiative and in the interests of the clients to whom we deliver our services. A strategic approach to client engagement builds stronger and more transparent ongoing relationships. It provides benefits for both the portfolio and its clients, and is recognised as a factor in successful delivery.
1. Assign a Senior Executive Officer to be responsible for implementation of multicultural access and equity obligations.
First Assistant Secretary, People and Service Delivery, Department of Agriculture
First Assistant Secretary, People and Service Delivery, Department of Agriculture appointed Senior Executive Officer for the portfolio multicultural plan.
2. Formalise the governance, reporting and key stakeholders involved to implement the portfolio multicultural plan.
Assign responsibility for the portfolio multicultural plan’s preparation and delivery to the People and Service Delivery Division, Department of Agriculture.
Incorporate the provision of oversight for the portfolio multicultural plan into the terms of reference for Department of Agriculture’s SDM Steering Committee.
Continue to champion cultural and linguistic diversity.
1.2 Portfolio commitment
3. Incorporate the portfolio’s vision for multicultural access and equity into corporate and strategic plans and charters.
Incorporate CaLD commitments into Department of Agriculture’s revised service charter.
4. Assign ownership to coordinate and promote the implementation of the portfolio multicultural plan.
Assign responsibility for the portfolio multicultural plan’s delivery to the People and Service Delivery Division, Department of Agriculture.
5. Ensure that staff understand and are committed to the implementation of the Multicultural Access and Equity Policy.
Ensure that the portfolio multicultural plan is promoted and communicated utilising current communication channels, including through culturally and linguistically diverse training programs, based on 2.1 Client engagement.
Strong and clear performance by the portfolio under the Multicultural Access and Equity Policy is a key requirement for our CaLD clients, and its measurement encourages needs and expectations to be met or exceeded. For our service delivery, effective performance means that our CaLD clients experience equitable access to services, without culture or language representing a barrier to their outcomes. This benefits the portfolio through the overall improvement in the quality of delivery, regardless of our clients’ backgrounds.
2.1 Client Engagement
6. Undertake analysis of the portfolio’s CaLD clients to identify them, and to understand and prioritise their needs.
Incorporate CaLD clients’ interactions with the portfolio and those partners who work on the portfolio’s behalf into Department of Agriculture’s SDM client segmentation work.
7. Leverage existing communication mechanisms to understand our CaLD clients from a front–line perspective and to convey key messages to them.
Ensure that the portfolio multicultural plan is promoted and communicated utilising current communication channels, including through culturally and linguistically diverse training programs.
8. Review existing educational and information resources that support our staff in their interactions with CaLD clients.
Assistant Secretary, People Strategy and Capability, Department of Agriculture
Review existing staff training and maintain the currency of training provided to staff on CaLD obligations.
9. Introduce a language and communication plan (LCP) for CaLD clients, including coverage on the use of languages other than English and the use of interpreters and translators.
Assistant Secretary, Communication, Department of Agriculture
The LCP is approved by the Secretary and made publically available.
10. Develop a list of priority languages for the translation for the portfolio’s information products that support its core business.
Review existing guidance for translating and interpreting services (TIS).
Strong and clear performance by the portfolio under the Multicultural Access and Equity Policy is a key requirement for our CaLD clients, and its measurement encourages needs and expectations to be met or exceeded. For our service delivery, effective performance means that our CaLD clients experience equitable access to services, without culture or language representing a barrier to their outcomes. This benefits the portfolio through the overall improvement in the quality of delivery, regardless of our clients' backgrounds.
11. Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) relating to engagement with or outcomes derived from the provision of services to the portfolio’s CaLD clients.
Consult with clients through the SDM reference group, communication channels, committees and forums to establish KPIs as part of Department of Agriculture’s SDM.
Monitor and report on the KPIs on a regular basis, and consult with and engage CaLD clients on the portfolio’s performance.
12. Ensure that our CaLD clients are able to provide feedback on the portfolio’s multicultural access and equity performance.
Assistant Secretary, Business Assurance and Risk, Department of Agriculture
Enable the portfolio’s feedback and complaints mechanisms to cater for CaLD clients’ needs.
Strong foundations in cultural and linguistic capabilities increase the capacity of the portfolio and our staff to understand and respond to the growing diversity of our clients. Capability within the portfolio and competency on the part of our staff and our service delivery partners is a key factor in our capacity to engage with our CaLD clients. This enables the portfolio to deliver policies, programs and services in a responsive way.
13. Provide training and development measures to equip staff with cultural competency skills suitable for their roles.
Based on 2.1 Client engagement, refine or extend training for staff based on the portfolio’s existing cultural awareness modules and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s cultural competency eLearning package.
Publicise the provision of translating and interpreting services (TIS) in existing supported languages and Department of Agriculture’s internal Linguists Register.
14. Evaluate what ethnicity data is collected on the CaLD clients with whom the portfolio engages and to which we directly or indirectly deliver services.
Establish which ethnicity data is currently being collected within the portfolio or by our partners, and the extent to which it may be shared and used.
Evaluate additional data collection mechanisms, including TIS, the portfolio’s websites and intranets, and surveying front-line staff.
Multicultural Access and Equity Policy has a focus on engendering a greater level of responsiveness by the portfolio to the particular circumstances of some CaLD clients. Accordingly, an assessment should be made of the portfolio’s effectiveness in engagement, communication and way it conducts business with the broader community, and the impact of these activities on the portfolio’s CaLD clients. Our outcomes should be effective for all sectors of the community if policies, programs and service delivery are to be considered truly responsive.
15. Ensure that the portfolio’s standards and guidelines address multicultural access and equity considerations.
Promote awareness of and adherence to relevant standards and guidelines, such as this plan, by utilising current communication channels.
16. Ensure that policies, programs and service delivery (whether in-house or outsourced through our partners) are effective for CaLD clients.
For Department of Agriculture, ensure that the SDM design principles will consider and incorporate the needs of CaLD clients.
17. Incorporate reference to all multicultural access and equity obligations in our standard form contracts, grant agreements and related material of which the portfolio has carriage.
Assistant Secretary, Commercial Business , Department of Agriculture
Perform a stocktake of existing templates and seek amendment to bring them to the current standard.
The formulation of our portfolio multicultural plan, its publication on the department's website and its two-yearly update is necessary to provide both the portfolio and our clients with certainty about our expected performance under the Multicultural Access and Equity Policy. The aim of the requirement to convey portfolio information to the public is to improve interaction, engagement and communication between the portfolio and the community.
18. Publish the portfolio multicultural plan on the department's.
Publish the portfolio multicultural plan on the department's website.
19. Report against the CaLD–focused KPIs established in 3.1 Performance indicators and reporting in the department's annual report.
Report against the CaLD–focused KPIs established in 3.1 Performance indicators and reporting in the department's annual report.
20. Make CaLD data available to other departments or agencies and the public.
Review data that is available for distribution and encourage the sharing of data that could be useful to other departments or agencies (accepting privacy principles).
URL: http://apvma.gov.au/node/9841Content last updated: 1 July 2014Content last reviewed: 1 July 2014
PublicationsAPVMA Gazette