MTAA Working Groups
MTAA has been asked by the Federal Government to lead the industry effort to coordinate the supply of essential medical equipment. An MTAA Board Subgroup has been formed to feed directly back into the Government’s planning. These working groups are focused on a number of key workstreams, in line with evolving Government and member priorities:
- Ventilators
- Test Kits
- PPE
- ICU Equipment
- Freight
We are coordinating with medical equipment suppliers and manufacturers (including non-members of MTAA) and other relevant industry associations to identify sources of supply and also to provide advice to Government regarding any constraints or obstacles to securing and maintaining supply. We are identifying current stock, likely quantities that can be obtained through existing supply channels, new sources of supply and potential quantities, and opportunities to increase domestic manufacturing.
These groups are focused on providing the Federal Government with advice around supply chain and logistics issues, as well as working directly with state governments to gauge supply and the potential for shortages.
Please contact Rachel Fry at rfry@mtaa.org.au if you have any questions or input relating to the working groups.
Ventilators
31 March 2020
- TGA COVID-19 information for clinicians on ventilators and alternative strategies when in short supply. Read more.
Please contact Rachel Fry at rfry@mtaa.org.au if you would like to know more about this group.
Test Kits
Please contact Rachel Fry at rfry@mtaa.org.au if you would like to know more about this group.
PPE
NSW Government COVID-19 Emergency Supplies Portal
The NSW Government has recently launched the COVID-19 Emergency Supplies Portal. Businesses interested in sourcing hand sanitiser, examination gloves, disinfectant and cleaning products, handwash and soap, masks, eyewear, gowns and protective overalls and paper products including toilet and tissue paper, can access local PPE suppliers here. Businesses can continue to register their interest to supply here.
Standards Australia summary information on standards and conformance for PPE products
Standards Australia have recently released summary information on standards and conformance for PPE products in consultation with the Australian Technical Infrastructure Alliance, to assist in helping manufacturers identify relevant standards and find potential pathways to market. Read more here.
Fumigation of testing kits
We have been advised that any Customs Broker or Importer that has a consignment that contains COVID-19 diagnostic kits or related goods for Coronavirus that is subject to Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) may contact the Seasonal Pest Policy team at SPP@agriculture.gov.au and they will manage the consignment on a case by case basis.
Please contact Rachel Fry at rfry@mtaa.org.au if you would like to know more about this group.
ICU
Please contact Rachel Fry at rfry@mtaa.org.au if you would like to know more about this group.
Freight
29 May 2020
NSW Government – NSW Business COVID-19 Research
The NSW Small Business Commissioner is conducting a survey on the impact of COVID-19 for businesses across NSW. The Survey aims to provide the NSW Government with an understanding of the challenges businesses are facing and the level of awareness of assistance available to help them now and post-COVID-19. You can participate in the survey here.
14 May 2020
Additional flights have been arranged through the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM)
There is capacity inbound from Auckland, Hong Kong, Tokyo (Narita) and Singapore in which medical supplies will be prioritised.
Please see the Qantas flight schedule and Singapore Airlines schedule for flight numbers, days of operation, departure and arrival times.
Members will need to work with their freight forwarders in order to access freight space. If members require additional assistance and suggestions of freight forwarders based with medical and market expertise, Austrade is able to provide this.
For any further assistance or questions, please feel free to contact or Austrade directly at airfreight@austrade.gov.au.
Freight group – call for EOIs
MTAA recently held the first meeting of a specialist freight group formed as part of MTAA’s COVID-19 Working Group structure.
The purpose of the group is to provide a summary of issues and freight route priorities to feed directly into Austrade’s weekly panel meetings.
Please contact Paul Dale at pdale@mtaa.org.au if you are interested in participating in this group.
Freight forwarding
The Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia Inc. (CBFCA) represents members interests in international trade logistics and supply chain management service provision. You can refer to this link to help you find a freight forwarder. The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) also has a member directory that can be searched through this link.
Australian Government’s International Freight Assistance Mechanism
For information on the Australian Government’s International Freight Assistance Mechanism to back Australia’s agriculture and seafood export sectors, visit:
https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/international-freight-assistance
Austrade
If you are unable to identify air freight opportunities through these channels, Austrade, https://www.austrade.gov.au, have established a dedicated email address for international freight enquiries: Airfreight@austrade.gov.au
