What is Biosecurity?
Biosecurity is the controls and measures to manage the risk of pests, weeds and diseases entering, emerging, establishing or spreading within Australia. (National Biosecurity Strategy 2022)
Australia’s national biosecurity system relies on partnerships between the Australian and state, territory and local governments, industry, environmental bodies, land managers and the broader public. This system is facing new challenges arising from a significant increase in global trade and travel. Maintaining Australia’s resilient and world-leading approach requires continuous research and innovation and a constant commitment to prevention and response. (The National Biosecurity Statement, 2018)
How is the NRM sector involved in biosecurity?
Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisations have extensive experience and involvement in biosecurity, and are deeply engaged in immediate and long-term pest animal, disease and weed control. This is achieved through high-level knowledge and skills, strategic and practical solutions, effective use of tools and processes, and a strong connection with key stakeholders that supports and builds communication, awareness and engagement.
The examples of biosecurity management across Australia are extremely varied, with all 54 regional NRM organisations delivering some form of control actions to benefit our native plants and animals, farmers, fishers and the community. So, whether it be preventing feral pigs impacting on native frogs in Far North Queensland, blackberry bushes from choking stream flow in Tasmania or dieback impacting on orchards in WA, the NRM sector is a key part of the solution to biosecurity threats.
The Biosecurity Hub Project
Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Hub is a 2 year project (2023-2025) aimed at strengthening environmental biosecurity, by increasing the communication, coordination, and collaboration between NRM groups, government and non-government organisations working in the biosecurity system.
2nd Biosecurity Symposium - Proceedings 2022
Summary of Abstracts from the 2nd Biosecurity Symposium.
2nd Biosecurity Symposium - Final Report 2022
Summary of the 2nd Biosecurity Symposium key events, outcomes and focus.
A Framework for Transforming and Strengthening Australia’s Environmental Biosecurity System
Two pager outlining national biosecurity framework goals.
Australia’s Biosecurity Future: Preparing for future biological challenges
In-depth discussion of five biosecurity megatrends and outlines a number of megashocks that could result.
Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity – Working together to transform Australia’s biosecurity
Presentation slides of CAB, a joint biosecurity research, development and innovation program between CSIRO and DAFF.
Creating a national picture of the environmental impacts of vertebrate pests and weeds – virtual workshop summary
Overview of outcomes from the Nov 2022 workshop developing a national picture of the extent and magnitude of environmental impacts caused by established vertebrate pests and weeds.
Decade of Biosecurity Implementation Plan
Developed to outline projects and initiatives to actively engage all Australians in building a stronger national biosecurity system.
Farm-level Adoption of Biosecurity Management – Behavioural Analysis
Exploring adoption of biosecurity practices by producers in primary industries, i.e. farmers.
Guidelines for General Surveillance Programs – Insights and considerations from systems thinking and nine case studies
The Guidelines for General Surveillance Programs provide high level key considerations for program coordinators, people who make funding and policy decisions and those responsible for monitoring and evaluating.
National Biosecurity Committee Governance Structure
National Biosecurity Strategy
The strategy outlines the current and future biosecurity environment and includes priority areas with initial actions for implementation.
National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan
The plan guides implementation activities and future planning work over the 10-year life of the National Biosecurity Strategy (NBS).
National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement (NEBRA)
The agreement establishes the national arrangements for responses to nationally significant biosecurity incidents where there are predominantly public benefits.
NRM Regions Australia Environmental Biosecurity Workshop
Workshop report; attendees were equipped with an in-depth understanding of biosecurity; identified opportunities in surveillance and responses to environmental biosecurity incursions; and established high level communication networks.
The National Biosecurity Statement
The National Biosecurity Statement presents a shared vision for Australia’s biosecurity.
The National Biosecurity Statement presents a shared vision for Australia’s biosecurity.
Understanding Biosecurity
Working Smarter Hub webinar #2; using technology in biosecurity
NRM Regions Australia, 2024
Four experts presenting innovative technology both being used and in development for the identification and control of pests and weeds from experts in the field and CSIRO’s Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity Initiative scientists.
Environmental biosecurity webinars
DAFF, 2020 onwards
Produced as a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration amongst all tiers of government, Landcare and NRM organisations, researchers, conservation groups and leading plant and animal health bodies that cover a wide variety of topics including, pest and weed management, biosecurity funding, training, research, citizen science and community engagement.
Biosecurity & Bees Hub Webinar #1; supporting pollination security in our Regions
NRM Regions Australia, 2024
Three pollinator experts bringing the latest information on pollinator biosecurity, practical advice and relevant tech.
Biosecurity: Are you ready?
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland, 2021
One of many biosecurity focused videos from Biosecurity Queensland's Biosecurity YouTube channel.
Building a strong biosecurity foundation: Insights from a new producer
Central Tablelands Local Land Services, New South Wales, 2023
Nicole Hinks of 'Alloway Grange', Bathurst speaks about establishing solid biosecurity practices to protect her land, livestock and neighbours.
Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity – Working together to transform Australia’s biosecurity
CSIRO, 2023
Presentation of Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity (CAB), a joint biosecurity research, development and innovation program between CSIRO and DAFF working to improve long-term national biosecurity outcomes by delivering innovative technologies, digital systems and capabilities that transform performance by 2030.
Farm biosecurity planning to protect pests, weeds and diseases
Central Tablelands Local Land Services, New South Wales, 2023
Local Land Services Biosecurity Officer Eliza Bramma presents the fundamentals of farm biosecurity planning.
Invasion curve animation
Biosecurity Council of WA, Department of Agriculture and Food WA, 2015
The Generalised Invasion Curve illustrates where government, industry and community should direct their efforts and investments at various stages of an invasive species’ incursion.
Biosecurity Queensland’s Biosecurity YouTube channel
Biosecurity Queensland works in partnership with industry, local and state government and the community to lead and promote a biosecurity system that protects Queensland’s economy, environment, lifestyle and human health.
Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Environmental Biosecurity Webinars
NRM Regions Australia’s YouTube Biosecurity channel
NRM Regions Australia's Biosecurity YouTube playlist featuring videos from Biosecurity CoP mtgs, webinars and external content.
Report a Biosecurity Concern
Use this page to Report a concern about pests or diseases: - in goods, containers and parcels arriving in Australia - on or around your property.
Outbreak
Information on outbreaks of exotic plant and animal pests and diseases in Australia including responses to current outbreaks and advice to prepare and respond to outbreaks.
Atlas of Living Australia
The Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) is a collaborative, digital, open infrastructure that pulls together Australian biodiversity data from multiple sources.
Biosecurity Commons
Biosecurity Commons delivers a cloud-based decision-support platform for modelling and analysing biosecurity risk and response.
Decade of Biosecurity Initiative
Reimagining our biosecurity system, engaging all Australians and enacting more ambitious and effective biosecurity measures.
Farm Biosecurity Hub
The Farm Biosecurity Hub holds information to help producers understand disease, pest and weed risks, what they can do to reduce those risks, and how to go about it.
iNaturalist
iNaturalist is a global online social network of people sharing biodiversity information about nature.
National Biosecurity Training Hub
The National Biosecurity Training Hub (the Hub) offers a central location with a database of biosecurity training resources to help reduce the duplication of effort and costs associated with developing and delivering biosecurity training.
NatureMapr
NatureMapr allows anybody to report plant or animal information anywhere in Australia and ensure the information gets to the people that need to know about it.
Agrifutures
AgriFutures Australia is one of 15 Research and Development Corporations that service the Research, Development and Extension needs of 13 Australian rural industries.
Animal Health Australia
Animal Health Australia is the trusted and independent national animal health body in Australia.
Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
AHBIC is the national representative body for the honey bee industry.
Centre for Invasive Species Solutions
CISS is a not-for-profit, member-based organisation formed to address the impact of invasive plants and animals across Australia.
Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA)
CEBRA provides strategic thinking and practical solutions across the biosecurity continuum.
Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative
Supports cross-sectoral research development and extension to minimise the damaging consequences caused by biosecurity threats to Australian plant industries.
Plant Health Australia
Plant Health Australia is the national coordinator of the government-industry partnership for plant biosecurity in Australia.
Wildlife Health Australia
Wildlife Health Australia leads national action on wildlife health to protect and enhance the natural environment, biodiversity, economy and animal and human health through strong partnerships.
