Digital boost for $2 billion seafood export industry

Australian fish exporters will find it faster and easier to send consignments offshore thanks to ongoing support from the Albanese Labor Government.

The Next Export Documentation (NEXDOC) system is an online document management system that will simplify export documentation processes for seafood exporters from today, making their $1.8 billion trade more efficient.

The system streamlines the permit and certificate application process, saving exporters time and money with digitally generated export certificates that can be easily printed.

Covering all types of catches – from wild caught fish to aquaculture – NEXDOC is built with improved data collection, analysis and reporting.

The system will help get fish to foreign markets securely and efficiently, with greater tracking capability that reduces the risk of fraudulent certification.

Australian fish and fish products are exported to many countries, with China, Japan, Hong Kong and Vietnam home to the biggest appetites for Australian products.

Australian exporters of dairy products, eggs and honey have all benefitted from the move to NEXDOC, with self service functions, certificate QR code security and a direct access web-based portal to the new system.

The portal gives exporters greater choice in how to manage their export documents, potentially saving costs in courier fees.

Other agricultural export products needing government permits and certificates are in line to move to the new system next year.

NEXDOC is being expanded as part of the government’s five-year $322.9M Digital Services to Take Farmers to Markets package to implement digital solutions to streamline trade processes, reduce costs and enhance efficiencies.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:

“NEXDOC will help make the fish industry more competitive in international markets by reducing costs through increased self-service and reducing time-consuming manual processes.

“While this doesn’t change existing certification requirements, it will streamline administrative processes for the fish industry, saving time and making it easier for exporters to do business.

“NEXDOC is a digitally enhanced service that is strengthening Australia’s reputation as an exporter of high-quality agricultural commodities underpinned by efficient, business services.”