Update from: Kerry Stephen, Manager, Licensing & Accreditation ServicesLicensing & Accreditation Services | Biosecurity & Food Safety, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. 

Subject: IMPORTANT: Updates to the NSW DPIRD Low-THC Hemp Licensing Scheme

Date: 3 October 2025 at 3:53:21 pm AEST

Dear Customer,

We are writing to inform you of important updates to the administration of the Low-THC Hemp Licensing Scheme, overseen by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). You are receiving this email because you have been identified as a current or previous Applicant or Close Associate under a low-THC hemp licence.

Following a comprehensive review in November 2022 and feedback from the NSW Hemp Industry Taskforce—established February 2024 by the Minister for Agriculture to support growth of the industrial hemp sector—several areas for improvement were identified. These enhancements have now been implemented to improve consistency, efficiency and clarity across communication, processing and compliance monitoring. These changes are designed to provide better support and a more streamlined experience for applicants and licensees.

Improved Outcomes

·         Clearer communication and greater understanding of expectations and requirements

·         Streamlined application, assessment and compliance procedures resulting in reduced timeframes

·         Enhanced quality of information provided and captured during application and compliance activities

Key Improvements

·         Expanded guidance provided across application forms, the Hemp Industry NSW Licence Manual (Manual), the Guidelines for Preparing a Low-THC Hemp Application, and the website

·         Greater clarity on permissible activities and products that can and cannot be produced under this licence

·         Streamlined new/transfer application form and a pre-populated renewal application form

·         Greater clarity regarding required documentation for applications and notifications

·         Updated National Criminal Record Check process: now managed by the Secretary’s Delegate, with costs borne by the applicant or licence holder

·         Planting notification reference numbers assigned for each planting event (i.e. the planting of one crop of one variety at a specific time)

·         Updated notification and annual report forms, including a combined planting notification & sampling request form, and a new crop failure notification form to help track planting events

·         Reminders for submission of renewal applications and annual reports

·         Commonly used forms now available as stand-alone documents online and included in the Manual

·         All forms are available in PDF and Restricted Fillable Word Versions

Updated Customer-Facing Documents

The following documents have been revised to reflect current processes and improve usability:

1.       New Application Form

2.      Guidelines for Preparing a Low-THC Hemp Application

3.      Notification of Material Change Form

4.      Hemp Industry NSW Licence Manual

5.      Renewal Application Form

New Online Resources

To support easier access and compliance, the following stand-alone documents are now available on the NSW Hemp Industry webpage:

·         Annual Report

·         Application and Permit for Movement of Industrial Hemp

·         Consent Form

·         Crop Failure Notification Form

·         NSW Low-THC Hemp Register

·         Planting Notification & Sampling Request Form

Additional guidance has also been added to assist licensees with compliance obligations regarding:

·         Products that can and cannot be produced

·         Crop failure

·         Unauthorised activity

·         Criminal convictions

·         Non-compliant test results

We encourage all licensees to review these updates and ensure familiarity with the revised documentation and procedures. Please replace any saved or printed documents with the new documents. Retired versions of forms will no longer be accepted.

For further information or assistance, please visit the NSW Hemp Industry webpage or contact Licensing & Accreditation Services on 1800 680 244 or at bfs.admin@dpird.nsw.gov.au

Thank you for your continued cooperation and commitment to the responsible cultivation and management of low-THC hemp in NSW.