Article
Changes to Australian phosphine regulations
Published: 31/07/2026
Australian
grain role-players have been warned that changes to workplace exposure limits
for phosphine, due to take effect from 1 December 2026, could significantly
disrupt the grains supply chain and restrict insect management options.
Phosphine is a chemical fumigant used to treat all types of pests in stored
grain and commodities. It is the only widely available and cost-effective
chemical treatment of its kind, with industry estimating phosphine is used to
treat about 90% of stored grain in Australia.
Under
current workplace health and safety regulations, Australian grain must not
exceed a phosphine threshold limit value – time weighted average (TLV-TWA) of
0,3 parts per million (ppm). This is based on safe exposure levels for an
individual working an eight-hour day over a five-day week.
As part of a broader review of chemical exposure
limits, Safe Work Australia will reduce the workplace threshold for phosphine
exposure to 0,05ppm from 1 December under the Workplace exposure limits for
airborne contaminants regulation. The proposed threshold would be
the lowest of its kind globally. – Grain Central