New biosecurity website launched

Australia’s biosecurity system is a vital part of safeguarding our primary industries, our environment and our communities. A new website released on 19 August will help Australians find out what we need to know and do.

Beta.biosecurity.gov.au is designed to be a clear and intuitive website with links to biosecurity information from federal, state and territory governments, industry and environmental organisations and research bodies. It is Australia’s biosecurity website.

Users will discover how biosecurity relates to them, learn what they can do to reduce risks and find out how to report a concern.

The Australian Government, state and territory governments, industry and environmental groups have worked together to deliver this website, which will be a central hub for Australia’s biosecurity information.

The decision to develop the new national website follows a recent review of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity.

Released as a beta website, the feedback and analytics gathered in the first eight weeks after release will guide the next round of developments to the website. The input of real users will be vital to make sure Australia’s biosecurity website meets all of our needs.

Lyn O’Connell, head of the biosecurity function and Deputy Secretary in the Department of Agriculture, said the website is vital in providing biosecurity information to a wide range of stakeholders, including state and territory agencies, industry, environmental groups, research bodies and other government agencies.

‘You can be one of the first to explore beta.biosecurity.gov.au. Your feedback will help us understand what does and doesn’t work across the site to build a better service.'

‘The website will provide information to the National Biosecurity Committee and its sub-committees, and website users can discover information about how to reduce biosecurity risks and how to report a concern.

‘The website is being developed based on personas, ranging from a beekeeper to a boat owner, an international traveller to a primary producer, and an animal owner to a pest and weed manager.' Ms O'Connell said.

Visit beta.biosecurity.gov.au and provide feedback to help improve the site.