A NSW Government website

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Rules for selling plants, foliage and flowers



The sale and movement of priority weeds is restricted under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015. Restrictions apply to all parts of the plant, and to cultivars and hybrids.

NSW WeedWise can provide a list of plants that have restrictions on sales and movements.



List of state priority weeds that must not be sold anywhere in NSW

To produce this list from WeedWise:

  1. Click advanced search
  2. Choose Weed category > Must not be sold in NSW
  3. Click Search


List of regional priority weeds that should not be sold in your region

To produce this list from WeedWise:

  1. Click advanced search
  2. Choose Weed category > Should not be sold in parts of NSW
  3. Choose Region > select your Local Land Services region (to find out which Local Land Services region you are in visit Local Land Services)
  4. Click Search




Sydney flower markets advertising campaign



What happens if your found buying or selling a regional priority weed?



If you are found buying or selling regional priority weeds, you will be given the chance to cease the activity, or given the option to show:

  • how you’ve minimised the risk created by the plant
  • that you’ve communicated to your customers that the plant creates a risk to the environment, economy and community
  • that the plant is not capable of regenerating or reproducing (by providing a sample for testing)


If you can’t show these things, you may be given a biosecurity direction that tells you what you must do to minimise the risks created by the plant. If you don’t comply with the biosecurity direction an authorised officer could seize the plants and give you an on-the-spot penalty infringement notice of $1000. Further legal proceedings could occur.

Your local council weeds officer can provide information and advice, or you can contact the NSW Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244.