Public consultation on the topic is closed.
Biosecurity protects Australia’s environment, agriculture, economy and communities from pests and diseases. Australia’s biosecurity system is under evolving pressure, owing to factors such as:
changes to trade and traveller patterns
rising costs and complexity of managing incursions
changing economic, environmental and geopolitical conditions.
To respond to these risks, we have proposed national biosecurity reforms.
The proposed reforms come from ongoing discussions with industry, producers, research bodies, community, First Nations representatives and governments. They build on progress we’re already making through the National Biosecurity Strategy.
In April, we released a discussion paper which outlined the proposed reform ideas. We invited stakeholder feedback, and this feedback will inform a reform roadmap for consideration by Australia’s Agriculture Ministers later this year.
How you had your say
Thank you for your contributions to discussions and submissions on national biosecurity reforms.
We engaged with a wide range of stakeholders across the biosecurity system and captured diverse perspectives on the national biosecurity reforms. The insights gathered will help inform the development of a reform roadmap for consideration by agriculture ministers later this year.
Through discussions, online survey responses and written submissions, we heard from:
biosecurity consultative committees
peak industry bodies
producers
importers
exporters
natural resources management organisations
energy industry
First Nations representative organisations
environmental and wildlife organisations
universities and research organisations
community stakeholders.
government partners across the Commonwealth, states and territories
You gave feedback through:
an online survey
written submissions
stakeholder meetings, briefings and forums
consultative committee meetings.
A summary of what we heard through consultation is now available.
We received a total of 76 written responses. Of the submissions received, 57 have given permission for their submission to be published. You can view published submissions on the submissions page. Some are anonymous and have had any confidential details redacted at the request of the participant.
What happens next
Feedback from this consultation is informing the development of a reform roadmap. The roadmap will complement the National Biosecurity Strategy, and together, they will set clear national priorities, strengthen coordination across governments and stakeholders, and guide future action to improve the national biosecurity system.
Once the roadmap is delivered, we will continue consultation on individual projects as required throughout the delivery of the reforms.
Key Documents
National Biosecurity Reform Consultation Summary [PDF 322 KB]
National Biosecurity Reform Consultation Summary [Word 56 KB]