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{{use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} 
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2020}} 
National '''biosecurity in Australia''' is governed and administered by two [[Australian Government|federal government]] departments, the [[Department of Health (Australia)|Department of Health]] and the [https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry]. The ''[[Biosecurity Act 2015]]'' (C'wealth) and related legislation is administered by the two departments and manages biosecurity risks at the national border. The Act aims to manage [[biosecurity]] risks to [[human health]], [[agriculture in Australia|agriculture]], native flora and fauna and the environment. It also covers Australia's international rights and obligations, and lists specific diseases which are [[contagious disease|contagious]] and capable of causing severe harm to human health. Each [[Australian states and territories|state and territory]] has additional legislation and protocols to cover biosecurity in their jurisdiction (post-border) including the detection of pests and diseases that have breached the national border.

The '''Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity''' ('''IGAB''') created a framework for governments to coordinate and identify priority areas of reform and action to build a stronger and more effective national biosecurity system, and established the '''National Biosecurity Committee''' ('''NBC''') in 2012.

==Background==
The term "biosecurity" was initially used in a narrower sense, to describe preventative and [[quarantine]] procedures put in place to minimise the risk of damage to [[crops]], [[livestock]] and [[the environment]] by [[Invasive species in Australia|invasive pests]] or [[disease]]s that might enter any location. However, the term has evolved to include the oversight and control of [[Biological pest control|biological threats]] to people and industries as well, including those from [[pandemic]] diseases and [[bioterrorism]], whatever or wherever the origin of the organism causing the damage. Biosecurity is now understood as a process involving a defined set of measures and management strategies, designed not only to stop undesirable organisms from getting into the country, but also to quickly discover and eradicate them, or, if eradication proves impossible, to reduce their impact as much as possible.<ref name=fitt2013>{{cite web | last=Fitt | first=Gary | title=Explainer: why Australia needs biosecurity | website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] | date=15 November 2013 | url=http://theconversation.com/explainer-why-australia-needs-biosecurity-20105 | access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref>

Australia is to some degree protected from [[introduced species|exotic]] pests and diseases by its geographic isolation, but with its island form comes a huge length of [[Coastline of Australia|border (the coastline)]],<ref name=fitt2013/> with the [[list of countries by length of coastline|sixth longest coastline]] in the world, at {{convert|25,780|km}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2060.html |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |work=World Factbook |title=Coastline |date= |access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124014956/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2060.html|archive-date=24 November 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=ChartsBin | title=Length of Coastline by Country | website=ChartsBin | url=http://chartsbin.com/view/ofv | access-date=22 March 2020}}</ref>

==History of governance==
===Legislation===
{{further|Biosecurity Act 2015}}
In 2015, the ''Biosecurity Act 2015'' (Commonwealth) replaced the ''[[Quarantine Act 1908]]'',<ref name=emergdec/> which was wholly repealed on 16 June 2016 by the ''Biosecurity (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2015''.<ref name=quar1908>{{cite web|url=http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Series/C1908A00003|title=Quarantine Act 1908| website=Federal Register of Legislation|date=May 2016 |publisher=Australian Government | access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=amend2017>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2015 | website=Federal Register of Legislation|publisher=Australian Government | date=27 September 2017 | url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00318 | access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=bioact2019>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity Act 2015 | website=Federal Register of Legislation | date=7 March 2019 | url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00097 |publisher=Australian Government | access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref> The new Act was a major reform of the ''Quarantine Act'', in particular in its strengthening and modernising the existing framework of regulations governing biosecurity in Australia.<ref name=maddocks>{{cite web | title=The Biosecurity Act 2015 - more than 100 years in the making, a shift to risk-based regulation, and activation of the Regulatory Powers Act | website=Maddocks | date=15 June 2015 | url=https://www.maddocks.com.au/biosecurity-act-2015-100-years-making-shift-risk-based-regulation-activation-regulatory-powers-act/ | access-date=23 March 2020 | archive-date=23 March 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323073130/https://www.maddocks.com.au/biosecurity-act-2015-100-years-making-shift-risk-based-regulation-activation-regulatory-powers-act/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> New requirements included how the then [[Department of Agriculture and Water Resources]] would manage [[biosecurity]] risks associated with goods, people and vessels entering Australia.<ref>{{cite web | title=Vessel Reporting Requirements and the Biosecurity Act | website=Australian Government. Department of Agriculture | date=16 June 2016 | url=https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/avm/vessels/vessel-reporting-requirements-biosecurity-act | access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref>

The Biosecurity Bill 2014 passed through [[Australian parliament|parliament]] on 14 May 2015 with [[bipartisan]] support, as possibly "one of the most substantial and significant pieces of legislation to pass through Parliament during the term of the [[Abbott Government|[Abbott] Government]]". The Act did not radically change operational functions, but were more clearly described, with the aim of being easier to use and reducing the complexity of administering it. The main change relate was the compliance and enforcement of powers.<ref name=maddocks/>

As recommended by the ''Beale Review'' (''One Biosecurity: A Working Partnership'', Roger Beale et al., 2008<ref name=bealextr>{{cite web| first=Roger| last=Beal| title=The Beale Review of Biosecurity| website=Issues Magazine| url=http://www.issuesmagazine.com.au/article/issue-march-2010/beale-review-biosecurity.html| quote=...an edited version of Chapter 1 of One Biosecurity: A Working Partnership (the Beale review).| access-date=23 March 2020| archive-date=13 July 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713153101/http://www.issuesmagazine.com.au/article/issue-march-2010/beale-review-biosecurity.html| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |first1=Roger |last1=Beale|first2=Jeff|last2= Fairbrother|first3=Andrew|last3= Inglis|first4=David |last4=Trebeck|author5=Australia. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | author6=Biosecurity Australia | title=One Biosecurity : a working partnership | date=Sep 2008|quote=The independent review of Australia's quarantine and biosecurity arrangements report to the Australian Government. | publisher=Dept. of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | isbn=978-0-9803714-5-1 }} Full text [https://web.archive.org/web/20140213095500/http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/931609/report-single.pdf here]</ref>) and the earlier Nairn Report,<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Journal of Law and Medicine|date= April 2018|volume=25|issue=3|title=Analysis of Australia's New Biosecurity Legislation [Abstract]|last1=Durant|first1=S.|last2=Faunce|first2= T|pages= 647–654|pmid= 29978659}}</ref> the Act effected a [[risk]]-based approach, but includes several measures to manage unacceptable levels of biosecurity risk.<ref name=maddocks/>

Each State and Territory has either a single Biosecurity Act or a suite of biosecurity-related statutes to manage biosecurity within Australia.

===Administration===
From August 2007 until September 2009, Biosecurity Australia, an agency of the [[Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)|Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry]], provided science-based [[quarantine]] assessments and policy advice to protect plant and animal health in Australia, in order to protect the Australian [[agricultural economy]] and to enhance Australia's access to international animal- and plant-related markets.<ref>{{cite web | title = About Biosecurity Australia | publisher =[[Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)|Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry]] | url =http://www.daff.gov.au/ba/about | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070830120714/http://www.daff.gov.au/ba/about | url-status =dead | archive-date =2007-08-30 | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> [[Import]] risk assessments (IRAs) by Biosecurity Australia included a variety of [[flora and fauna]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Current Animal IRAs |publisher=[[Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)|Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry]] |url=http://www.daffa.gov.au/ba/ira/current-animal |accessdate=2007-03-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501203836/http://www.daffa.gov.au/ba/ira/current-animal |archivedate=2007-05-01 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Current Plant IRAs |publisher=[[Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)|Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry]] |url=http://www.daffa.gov.au/ba/ira/current-plant |accessdate=2007-03-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501203940/http://www.daffa.gov.au/ba/ira/current-plant |archivedate=May 1, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title =Finalised Animal IRAs | publisher =[[Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)|Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry]] | url =http://www.daffa.gov.au/ba/ira/final-animal | accessdate =2007-03-29 | url-status =dead | archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20070501204019/http://www.daffa.gov.au/ba/ira/final-animal | archivedate =2007-05-01 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Finalised Plant IRAs |publisher=[[Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)|Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry]] |url=http://www.daffa.gov.au/ba/ira/final-plant |accessdate=2007-03-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901142404/http://www.daffa.gov.au/ba/ira/final-plant |archivedate=September 1, 2007 }}</ref>

In September 2009, a division of DAFF known as Biosecurity Services Group took over its functions.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929091917/http://www.daff.gov.au/bsg|url=http://daff.gov.au/bsg|archive-date=29 September 2009|title=Biosecurity Services Group}}</ref>

DAFF became the [[Department of Agriculture (Australia, 2013–15)|Department of Agriculture]] in September 2013, followed by the [[Department of Agriculture and Water Resources]] in September 2015, and then the [[Department of Agriculture (Australia, 2019–20)]], each of which was responsible for biosecurity.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/about/corporatepublications/corp-plan/corporate-plan-2016.pdf|publisher=Australian Government|author=Department of Agriculture and Water Resources|title=Corporate Plan 2016–17|date=2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019150847/http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/about/corporatepublications/corp-plan/corporate-plan-2016.pdf|archive-date=19 October 2016}}</ref>

==Current federal governance==
{{as of |March 2020}}, National biosecurity in Australia is governed and administered by two federal departments, the [[Department of Health (Australia)|Department of Health]] and the [[Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment]]. They administer and enforce the various pieces of legislation in the ''Biosecurity Act 2015'' and related [[Primary and secondary legislation|ordinances, determinations and instruments]].<ref name=dohbio>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity Information | website=Department of Health | date=31 January 2020| url=https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-biosecurity-information.htm | access-date=21 March 2020}}</ref>

===Human health===
The Department of Health defines [[biosecurity]] as "all the measures taken to minimise the risk of [[infectious disease]]s caused by [[virus]]es, [[bacteria]] or other [[micro-organism]]s entering, emerging, establishing or spreading in Australia, potentially harming the Australian population, our food security and economy". These risks may enter Australia after people enter the countries from other places (whether on holiday or any other reason), having developed [[infection]]s through food, water, insect bites, or contact with animals or other people. Often the infection is unknown because it is not obvious, and the infected person is not aware of it themselves, until they become unwell some time later. Some of these diseases may be serious, and biosecurity measures are necessary to ensure that the infection does not spread throughout the population.<ref name=dohbio/>

The Act lists specific diseases (Listed Human Diseases, or LHDs) which are [[contagious disease|contagious]] and can cause significant harm to human health; {{as of|lc=yes|March 2020}}, these LHDs include:<ref name=dohbio/>
{{div col}}
*[[human influenza]] with [[pandemic]] potential
*[[plague (disease)|plague]] 
*[[severe acute respiratory syndrome]] (SARS)
*[[Middle East respiratory syndrome]] (MERS)
*[[smallpox]] 
*[[viral haemorrhagic fever]]s (VHDs) 
*[[yellow fever]] 
*human [[coronavirus]] with [[pandemic]] potential{{#tag:ref|Note: The coronavirus group includes SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. |group=Note}} 
{{div col end}}

Biosecurity Officers from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment must be informed by any aircraft [[captain]] or [[sea captain|ship's master]], should any of their passengers show signs of an infectious disease.<ref name=dohbio/>

Human biosecurity in Australia covers protective measures enforced at the border, travel information and warnings, the import and export of [[human body|human remains]], national public health emergency response planning at the borders and Australia's international obligations, in particular the [[International Health Regulations]] (IHR).<ref>{{cite web | title=Australia's Human Biosecurity | website=Department of Health | date=3 October 2017 | url=https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-humanbiosecurity | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> A [[Joint External Evaluation]] (JEE) e following the 2013–2016 [[Western African Ebola virus epidemic]] showed that Australia has very high level of capacity of response. Australia's ''National Action Plan for Health Security 2019-2023'' was developed to help to implement the recommendations from the JEE.<ref>{{cite web | title=Australia's Human Biosecurity Portal – International Obligations | website=Department of Health | date=27 September 2017 | url=https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-biosec-international-obligations.htm | access-date=24 May 2020 }} [https://extranet.who.int/sph/docs/file/2458 ''National Action Plan for Health Security 2019-2023'', December 2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614021854/https://extranet.who.int/sph/docs/file/2458 |date=14 June 2020 }}</ref> Management of ill travellers is one aspect of human biosecurity management; prevention of potential [[disease vector]]s (such as exotic [[mosquito]]es) is another.<ref>{{cite web | title=Protecting Australia's Health Through Human Biosecurity | website=Department of Health | date=27 September 2017 | url=https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-biosec-protect-aus-health.htm | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

====COVID-19 pandemic====
{{further|COVID-19 pandemic in Australia|Biosecurity Act 2015#Invocations}}
One of the biggest threats to human health in the history of Australia arose with the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia]] in March 2020. The Federal Government under [[Scott Morrison]] invoked the ''Biosecurity Act 2015'' to announce a [[state of emergency]], and brought in various measures to restrict the movement of people in and out of Australia.<ref name=decl>{{cite report |url=https://nswbar.asn.au/uploads/pdf-documents/biosecurity_emergency.pdf|title=Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020 |date=18 March 2020| access-date=29 March 2020|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia}}</ref><ref name=parlexpl>{{cite web | title=COVID-19 Biosecurity Emergency Declaration | website=Parliament of Australia | date=27 March 2020|first1=Howard|last1= Maclean|first2=Karen |last2=Elphick| url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2020/March/COVID-19_Biosecurity_Emergency_Declaration | access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref>

On 30 April 2021, following a [[COVID-19 pandemic in India#2021|dramatic rise in cases in a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic]], the Federal Government announced a ban on Australian citizens and [[permanent resident]]s in India from entering Australia via any route, between 3 May and 15 May.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duran |first1=Pauline |title=Australia bans arrivals from India, says offenders face jail, fines |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-bans-arrivals-india-says-offenders-face-jail-fines-2021-05-01/ |access-date=1 May 2021 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=1 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501083703/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-bans-arrivals-india-says-offenders-face-jail-fines-2021-05-01/ |archive-date=1 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Those caught returning from India to Australia via any route would be subject to punishment under the ''Biosecurity Act'',<ref name=guardiancmo>{{cite web | last=Martin | first=Sarah | title=Australians could die from Covid in India under travel ban, medical chief warns | website=The Guardian | date=3 May 2021 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/03/australians-could-die-from-covid-in-india-under-flight-ban-medical-chief-warns | access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> with penalties for breaches including up to five years' jail, a fine of {{AUD|66,600}}, or both.<ref name=guardianfines>{{cite web | last=Murphy | first=Katharine | title=Covid crisis: Australians trying to return home from India face up to $66,000 fine or five years' jail | website=the Guardian | date=1 May 2021 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/apr/30/australian-government-may-make-it-a-for-citizens-to-return-from-covid-ravaged-countries | access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> On 7 May 2021 Morrison announced that the flight ban would end on 15 May and that repatriation flights to the [[Northern Territory]] would start on this date.<ref>{{cite web | last=Hitch | first=Georgia | title=Scott Morrison says repatriation flights will begin as soon as India COVID travel ban ends | website=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) | date=7 May 2021 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-07/india-covid-travel-ban-scott-morrison-repatriation-flights/100123156 | access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref>

===Agriculture===
====Animals====
Animal biosecurity involves protecting livestock, [[Australian wildlife|wildlife]], humans and the environment from new diseases or pests. Australia has remained free of many of the serious animal diseases, such as [[foot and mouth disease]] and [[avian influenza]] (bird flu), but occurrence of one of these diseases would result in significant damage to the economy, as trade would have to be ceased in the affected products. Australia has already experienced outbreaks of animal disease events such as the [[2007 Australian equine influenza outbreak]] and when bird flu was found on [[poultry farm]]s in [[New South Wales]], leading to widespread [[cull]]ing.<ref name=fitt2013/>

New diseases in livestock, often first arising in wild species, may also affect human health, when they are known as [[zoonotic disease]]s. These include bird flu, [[SARS]] and [[Hendra virus]], the effects of which can be deadly.<ref name=fitt2013/>

In November 2016, [[white spot virus]] was detected on a [[prawn farm]] on the [[Logan River]] in south-east [[Queensland]] for the first time in the country.<ref>{{cite web | last=McCarthy | first=Marty | title=Australia's aquaculture industry confident white spot prawn disease has not spread to wild stock | website=ABC News| publisher= [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date=8 December 2016 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2016-12-08/source-of-prawn-virus-still-unknown/8103722 | access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> By March 2021 it was also being detected in [[Deception Bay (Queensland)|Deception Bay]] and was widespread in [[Moreton Bay]], in the [[Brisbane]] area. The federal government was reviewing its import requirements, and farmers and fishers were lobbying for the inclusion of a requirement that imported prawns should be cooked.<ref>{{cite web | last=Nichols | first=Jennifer | title=White spot virus killing wild Australian prawns and crabs, with some experts saying 'it is here to stay'| website=ABC News| publisher= [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date=16 January 2021 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2021-01-17/prawn-white-spot-virus-killing-wild-australian-prawns-and-crabs/13060200 | access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref>

====Plants====
[[Plant]] industries, in particular the [[wheat]] industry and also [[horticulture]], wine, [[cotton]] and sugar industries, can be negatively impacted by pests and diseases, as they lead to poorer quality food, less of it, higher costs to produce it, and reduced trade. Australia has remained free of many of the most harmful pest species, such as [[citrus greening]] and [[varroa mite]] (with Australia the only continent free of this pest affecting [[honeybee]] productivity).<ref name=fitt2013/>

====Food safety====
{{main|Food safety in Australia}}

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is also responsible for [[food safety]] in Australia. It works with industry and other government agencies, in particular the Department of Health, and [[Food Standards Australia New Zealand]] (FSANZ), to develop policy and [[food standards]], and the regulatory system involves the governments of Australia, New Zealand and the [[Australian states and territories]].<ref name=doafood>{{cite web | title=Food regulation and safety | website=Department of Agriculture | url=https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/food/regulation-safety |publisher=Australian Government|date=4 November 2019| access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref> The department administers relevant legislation at the Australian border, and imported food must meet Australia's biosecurity requirements under the ''Biosecurity Act 2015'', as well as food safety requirements of the ''Imported Food Control Act 1992''.<ref name=doafood/><ref>{{cite web | title=Imported Food Inspection Scheme | website=Department of Agriculture | url=https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/food/inspection-compliance/inspection-scheme|date=4 February 2020|publisher=Government of Australia | access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref>

==Agricultural and environmental biosecurity coordination==
===Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB)===
The Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB) was created in January 2012. It was an agreement between the federal, [[Australian states and territories|state and territory]] governments, with the exception of Tasmania, intended to "improve the national biosecurity system by identifying the roles and responsibilities of governments and outline the priority areas for collaboration to minimise the impact of pests and disease on Australia's economy, environment and the community". It was focussed on controlling animal and plant pests rather than human biosecurity, as it was considered that this aspect was already covered by existing agreements, and set out to improve collaboration and understanding of shared responsibilities among all parties, including industry stakeholders.<ref name=igab1>{{cite web | title=Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity | website=Council of Australian Governments | date=13 January 2012 | url=https://www.coag.gov.au/about-coag/agreements/intergovernmental-agreement-biosecurity | access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref>

The 2012 IGAB created a framework for governments to coordinate and identify priority areas of reform and action to build a stronger and more effective national biosecurity system. The agreement comprised two parts: the first part established the goal, objectives and principles of the system, as well as the purpose and scope of the agreement; the second part, the schedules, outlined the priority work areas for governments and their key decision-making committee, the NBC (National Biosecurity Committee). The work based on IGAB led to the development of significant and sound national policy principles and frameworks, including the National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement (NEBRA).<ref name="priorities">{{cite book |last1=Craik |first1=Wendy |url=https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/sitecollectiondocuments/biosecurity/partnerships/nbc/priorities-for-aus-bio-system.pdf |title=Priorities for Australia's biosecurity system: An Independent Review Of The Capacity of the National Biosecurity System and Its Underpinning Intergovernmental Agreement |last2=Palmer |first2=David |last3=Sheldrake |first3=Richard |date=2017 |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |isbn=978-1-76003-131-2 |author-link=Wendy Craik |access-date=23 May 2020}} [[File:CC-BY_icon.svg|50x50px]] Text was copied from this source, which is available under a [[creativecommons:by/4.0/|Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License]].</ref>

===2017 review===
An independent review of Australia's biosecurity system and the underpinning IGAB undertaken in 2017, resulting in the ''Priorities for Australia's biosecurity system'' report, noted that the "application of shared responsibility for biosecurity is difficult and challenging,... primarily because the roles and responsibilities of participants across the national biosecurity system are not clearly understood, accepted, or consistently recognised across the system by all involved". The review examined many aspects of the existing system.<ref name= priorities/>

Excluded from the review were:<ref name= priorities/>
* biosecurity arrangements specific to human health;
* biosecurity Import Risk Analyses (BIRAs);
* comprehensive reviews of emergency responses deeds;
* response plans, such as the Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN);
*matters to do with specific biosecurity legislation; and
* matters to do with Australia's international obligations relating to biosecurity.

It explicitly states that its recommendations were not intended to change or impact on human health arrangements in the health department or between the departments of agriculture and health.<ref name= priorities/>

The report, under a section titled "Market Access is key", said that Australia's world class biosecurity system is a trade and economic asset, but that there was scope for improvement.<ref name= priorities/>

The report named a number of challenges and topics needing future focus, such as environmental biosecurity (which includes both natural [[ecosystem]]s and social amenities), which has been viewed as subordinate to agricultural biosecurity in the national biosecurity system, and thus received less funding. Among its recommendations was the appointment of a new position of Chief Community and Environmental Biosecurity Officer (CCEBO) within the environment department, to perform a national policy leadership role similar to the Chief Veterinary Officer and Chief Plant Protection Officer in the national biosecurity system.<ref name= priorities/>

The report stated that Australia has a mixture of biosecurity strategies and policies that have been tailor-made for each jurisdiction, taxon and/or agency, and that an agreed national approach for prioritising exotic pest and disease risks is desirable, to guide governments' investments. In the area of research, it concluded that the system "no longer [had] the required structure, focus or capacity to address existing and emerging national biosecurity challenges" with "many players but no captain". It recommended several steps for improved governance, including that the NBC should improve its transparency and accountability, including making more information publicly available". In all, it published 41 recommendations to improve Australia's biosecurity system.<ref name= priorities/>

Managing biosecurity risk has become more challenging due to increasing risks, the changing nature of risks, and increases in associated management costs. Factors such as globalisation, international and interstate migration, climate change, tourism, and the increasing movement of goods are all contributing to increases in biosecurity risks.<ref name= priorities/>

While the IGAB and NBC had been pivotal in fostering improved government collaboration, there was room for the NBC to improve its transparency and accountability, making more information publicly available. The IGAB had provided a strong mandate for advancing national biosecurity capacity and capability, which critically impacts whole-of economy and whole-of-government arrangements, affecting trade and market access, tourism, agricultural productivity, human health, environmental quality, biodiversity and social amenity.<ref name= priorities/>

The report considered future challenges, funding measures, governance and [[performance measurement]], listed 42 recommendations, and outlined an implementation pathway for its recommendations, and the potential features of a future system.<ref name= priorities/>

In June 2018, the role of Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer (CEBO) was created to oversee environmental biosecurity, with Ian Thompson appointed to the role.<ref>{{cite web | title=New appointment of Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer shines spotlight on environmental biosecurity | website=Landcare Australia | date=26 November 2018 | url=https://landcareaustralia.org.au/project/new-appointment-of-chief-environmental-biosecurity-officer-shines-spotlight-on-environmental-biosecurity/ | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

===IGAB2===
A second agreement was effected in January 2019, known as IGAB2, with all states and governments as signatories, following the review.<ref name=nbc>{{cite web | title=National Biosecurity Committee | website=Department of Agriculture | url=https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/partnerships/nbc | access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref>

===National Biosecurity Committee (NBC)===
The National Biosecurity Committee (NBC) was established under the IGAB in 2012.<ref>{{cite web | title=Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB) | website=Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment | url=https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/partnerships/nbc/intergovernmental-agreement-on-biosecurity | access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref> The NBC is "responsible for managing a national, strategic approach to biosecurity threats relating to plant and animal pests and diseases, marine pests and aquatics, and the impact of these on agricultural production, the environment, community well-being and social amenity", with one of its core objectives being to cooperation, coordination and consistency among the various government agencies involved.<ref name=nbc/>

The Secretary of the [[Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment]] ([[Andrew Metcalfe]] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}} {{as of|lc=yes|May 2020}}) chairs the NBC and up to two senior officials from the federal, state and territory primary industry and/or environment agencies and jurisdictions. It provides advice on national biosecurity matters, and provides updates on progress towards implementing the recommendations of the 2017 Review to the Agriculture Senior Officials Committee.<ref name=nbc/>

==State-based agencies and legislation==
===Summary of state-based legislation===
State and Territory Governments have authority for biosecurity within their jurisdiction and administer specific biosecurity legislation to manage pests and diseases, including the movement of goods, plants and animals between States that pose a biosecurity risk.

{{as of|May 2020}}, the [[New South Wales Government|NSW]], [[Western Australian Government|WA]], [[Queensland Government|Queensland]] and [[Tasmanian Government]]s have developed and passed consolidated Biosecurity Acts. The [[Government of the Australian Capital Territory|Australian Capital Territory Government]] has developed a framework for a new Act, which will closely align with the New South Wales legislation. The [[Government of South Australia]] is in the process of developing a new Act.<ref name="pirsanewact" />

===ACT===
The [[Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate]] of the [[Australian Capital Territory]] is responsible for biosecurity. {{as of|May 2020}}, two Acts provide the mechanisms "to protect the health and welfare of people and animals and to protect markets relating to animals and plants and associated products": the ''Animal Diseases Act 2005'' and the ''Plant Diseases Act 2002'', while the ''Pest Plants and Animals Act 2005'' protects land and aquatic resources from threats posed by from animal and plant pests in the ACT.<ref>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity legislation | website=Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate - Environment | date=12 May 2020 | url=https://www.environment.act.gov.au/parks-conservation/plants-and-animals/Biosecurity/biosecurity-legislation | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

Between 2017 and 2019, consultation took place on proposals for a new ACT Biosecurity Act, to manage biosecurity as a shared responsibility consistent with approaches taken by the other states and the Commonwealth.<ref>{{cite web | title=ACT Biosecurity Act | website=YourSay ACT | date=12 June 2018 | url=https://www.yoursay.act.gov.au/act-biosecurity-act | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/hdp.au.prod.app.act-yoursay.files/4115/2887/0912/Proposed_Framework_for_an_ACT_Biosecurity_Act_-_Summary_-_accessible.pdf|title=ACT Biosecurity Act consultation paper: Summary|date=2017|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

===New South Wales===
*The [[Department of Primary Industries (New South Wales)|NSW Department of Primary Industries]] is the primary agency responsible for biosecurity in the state, executing its functions under the ''Biosecurity Act 2015'' (NSW),<ref name=nswdpi>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity & food safety | website=NSW Department of Primary Industries | url=https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity | access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref> which came into effect on 1 June 2017.<ref>{{cite web | title=New biosecurity act for NSW | website=Australian Interstate Quarantine – Australian Interstate Quarantine | url=https://www.interstatequarantine.org.au/new-biosecurity-act-for-nsw/ | access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=bionswleg>{{cite web | title=NSW legislation | website=NSW Government | url=https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/2015/24 | access-date=1 April 2020}}</ref> In addition, the ''[[Public Health Act 2010]]'' was amended in September 2017 to expand the scope of public health orders relating to relate to a few very serious notifiable (Category 4 and 5) conditions, such as [[MERS]] or [[Ebola]], to enable people to be detained as a public health risk, where they do not cooperate with voluntary quarantine. The changes were made to bring the ''Public Health Act'' into line with the federal ''Biosecurity Act 2015''.<ref>{{cite web | title=Public health orders | website=NSW Health | date=14 September 2017 | url=https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/phact/Pages/pha-ph-orders.aspx | access-date=1 April 2020}}</ref>
**During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia]], a serious breach of biosecurity occurred when the cruise ship ''[[Ruby Princess]]'' was allowed to dock and its 2,777 passengers to disembark, despite some passengers having been diagnosed with [[COVID-19]], with serious consequences. [[Australian Border Force]] is responsible for [[passport control]] and customs, while the federal Department of Agriculture is responsible for biosecurity; however, it is up to each state's health department to prevent illness in the community. Responsibility for the breakdown in communications will be determined by a later enquiry.<ref name=davies>{{cite web | last=Davies | first=Anne | title=Finger-pointing over the Ruby Princess debacle won't help solve coronavirus crisis | website=the Guardian | date=25 March 2020 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/26/finger-pointing-over-the-ruby-princess-debacle-wont-help-solve-coronavirus-crisis | access-date=1 April 2020}}</ref>

===Queensland===
*[[Biosecurity Queensland]], which is part of the [[Department of Agriculture and Fisheries]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity | website=Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland | date=2 October 2018 | url=https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/biosecurity | access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref> is responsible for biosecurity in the state. The state's ''[[Biosecurity Act 2014]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/inforce/current/act-2014-007|title=Biosecurity Act 2014: Current as at 1 March 2020|publisher=Queensland Government |date=2020|access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref> and the ''Queensland Biosecurity Strategy 2018-2023''<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/7297ead6-e4ba-4069-87ed-8a6b866b993f/resource/408b8459-dfd5-4785-913c-a9b3d23a0ee2/fs_download/biosecurity-queensland-strategy-update.pdf|title=Queensland Biosecurity Strategy: Our Next Five Years: 2018-2023|publisher=Department of Agriculture and Fisheries|date=2018|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727005142/https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/7297ead6-e4ba-4069-87ed-8a6b866b993f/resource/408b8459-dfd5-4785-913c-a9b3d23a0ee2/fs_download/biosecurity-queensland-strategy-update.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> govern and guide the department's responsibilities with regard to biosecurity in Queensland.
*Queensland has had frequent biosecurity incursions affecting a wide range of crops and livestock including [[Fall armyworm]], [[Austropuccinia psidii|Myrtle rust]], [[Panama disease|Panama TR4 Disease]] and [[Red imported fire ant|Red Imported Fire Ants]].
*[[Queensland Health]] liaises with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in biosecurity matters which relate to [[public health]] (whether by human or animal transmission, for example [[diphtheria]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Diphtheria | website=Queensland Health | date=26 September 2019 | url=https://www.health.qld.gov.au/cdcg/index/diphtheria | access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref>), issues health alerts to the public and provides advice regarding travel and other restrictions on residents' activities relating to biosecurity risk.<ref>{{cite web | title=Queensland Health | website=Public health and wellbeing | date=24 January 2020 | url=https://www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health | access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Coronavirus (COVID-19) | website=Queensland Government | date=6 March 2020 | url=https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19 | access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref>

===Northern Territory===
*The Department of Primary Industry and Resources and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are responsible for biosecurity in the [[Northern Territory]] of Australia. [[Banana freckle]] disease, [[Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus]], browsing ant ([[Lepisiota|''Lepisiota frauenfeldi'']]) and [[Asian honey bee]] have been recent threats to agriculture and the environment. The ''Northern Territory Biosecurity Strategy 2016-2026'' was developed in order to address increasing biosecurity risks.<ref>{{cite web | title=NT Biosecurity Strategy 2016-2026 | website=Department of Primary Industry and Resources | date=20 July 2016 | url=https://dpir.nt.gov.au/primary-industry/agriculture/agricultural-developments/nt-biosecurity-strategy-2016-2026 | access-date=24 May 2020}} [https://dpir.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/358717/nt-biosecurity-strategy.pdf PDF]</ref>

===South Australia===
*[[Primary Industries and Regions SA]] (PIRSA) manages the risks related to animal and plant pests and diseases, [[food-borne illness]]es, and misuse of [[agrochemical|rural chemicals]] in South Australia.<ref name=bio>{{cite web | website=PIRSA | title=Biosecurity| date=12 August 2014 | url=https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity | access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> {{as of |2020}}, PIRSA is managing a review of current biosecurity legislation in South Australia, which has been covered by multiple pieces of legislation, with the aim of creating a new single and cohesive Biosecurity Act for the state<ref name=pirsanewact>{{cite web | website=PIRSA | title=Developing a new Biosecurity Act for South Australia (SA) | date=8 April 2019 | url=https://pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/biosecurity_act | access-date=26 March 2020 | archive-date=24 March 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324085359/https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/biosecurity_act | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/358731/Biosecurity_Act_fact_sheet_March_2020.pdf|publisher=PIRSA|date=13 March 2020|title=Fact Sheet -Biosecurity Legislation Project|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=26 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326071526/https://pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/358731/Biosecurity_Act_fact_sheet_March_2020.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/346874/201907_FAQs_Biosecurity_Act.pdf|publisher=PIRSA|title=Frequently Asked Questions: Biosecurity Act|date=July 2019|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=26 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326081146/https://pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/346874/201907_FAQs_Biosecurity_Act.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> based on the current policy developed by PIRSA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/188189/eA188141_-_A4069242_SA_Biosecurity_Policy_v141_-_2020_version.pdf|publisher=PIRSA|year=2020|title=South Australia's Biosecurity Policy 2020–2023|access-date=26 March 2020|journal=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326140650/https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/188189/eA188141_-_A4069242_SA_Biosecurity_Policy_v141_-_2020_version.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The discussion paper was published in 2019.<ref>{{cite web | title=New legislation for South Australia's Biosecurity- Directions Paper now out for consultation until 25 October 2019 | website=LGA South Australia | date=25 October 2019 | url=https://www.lga.sa.gov.au/news-and-events/news/latest-news/new-legislation-for-south-australias-biosecurity-directions-paper-now-out-for-consultation-until-25-october-2019 | access-date=24 May 2020 | archive-date=26 July 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726234422/https://www.lga.sa.gov.au/news-and-events/news/latest-news/new-legislation-for-south-australias-biosecurity-directions-paper-now-out-for-consultation-until-25-october-2019 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://www.lga.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0030/472935/BLP-DCE-Stakeholder-Letters-Attachment-1A.pdf New legislation for South Australia's Biosecurity: Directions Paper–For consultation]</ref>
*[[SA Health]], "the brand name for the health portfolio of services and agencies responsible to...the Minister for Health and Wellbeing",<ref name=aboutsah>{{cite web | title=About SA Health | website=SA Health| date=30 May 2017 | url=https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/about+us/about+sa+health/about+sa+health | access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> says that Biosecurity SA, under PIRSA, is responsible for managing the "risks and potential harm to the South Australian community, environment, and economy from pests and diseases". It cites a partnership known as "One Health", supported by the [[Zoonoses]] Working Group, which supports collaboration and coordination among stakeholders with regard to human, animal and environmental health.<ref>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity SA (under Primary Industries and Regions SA) | website=SA Health| date=8 December 2017 | url=https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public%20content/sa%20health%20internet/about%20us/about%20sa%20health/health%20in%20all%20policies/public%20health%20partner%20authorities/biosecurity%20sa | access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref>

===Tasmania===
*The island state of [[Tasmania]] has extremely stringent biosecurity requirements.<ref>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity requirements | website=Discover Tasmania | date=24 May 2020 | url=https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/travel-information/quarantine | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> The [[Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment]] (DPIPWE) is the parent department of the Biosecurity Tasmania agency.<ref>{{cite web | website=[[Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (Tasmania)|Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania]] | title=Biosecurity Tasmania | date=24 May 2020 | url=https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> Tasmania's ''Biosecurity Act 2019'' (assented to 26 August 2019)<ref>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity Act 2019| website=Tasmanian Legislation Online | date=24 May 2020 | url=https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/html/asmade/act-2019-022 | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> replaced seven separate Acts, whose regulations are still being applied until full implementation of the Act, expected around 2023. One of the key products of the Act was the creation of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee.<ref>{{cite web | website=[[Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (Tasmania)|Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania]] | title=Biosecurity Act 2019 | date=24 May 2020 | url=https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/about-biosecurity-tasmania/biosecurity-act-2019 | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>
*The State has benefited from its geographic isolation but has seen a number of incursions more recently including [[Thekopsora minima|Blueberry rust]]<ref name="Tas-DPIPWE-blueberry-rust" /> (with one incursion successfully eradicated), [[Austropuccinia psidii|Myrtle Rust]], [[red fox|European Red Fox]] (eradicated), [[common myna|Indian myna]] (eradicated) and [[Bactrocera tryoni|Queensland fruit fly]] (eradicated).

===Victoria===
*Agriculture Victoria, an agency of the [[Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions]] (DJPR) is responsible for managing biosecurity in Victoria. The executive director, Biosecurity Services is in charge of biosecurity.<ref>{{cite web | title=Executive Director, Biosecurity Services – Agriculture Victoria | website=Davidson Executive | date=26 September 2019 | url=https://www.davidsonexecutive.com.au/job/100562133354586/executive-director-biosecurity-services-agriculture-victoria/ | access-date=24 May 2020 | archive-date=26 July 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726234358/https://www.davidsonexecutive.com.au/job/100562133354586/executive-director-biosecurity-services-agriculture-victoria/ | url-status=dead }} [https://djpr.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1370394/DJPR-Organisational-Structure-20-Jan.pdf Organisational chart, DJPR, 20 January 2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409053238/https://djpr.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1370394/DJPR-Organisational-Structure-20-Jan.pdf |date=9 April 2020 }}</ref> The Victorian Chief Plant Health Officer Unit (CPHO), who exercises powers provided by the ''Plant Biosecurity Act 2010'' and Plant Biosecurity Regulations 2016, is the technical lead on plant health management in Victoria.<ref>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity | website=Agriculture Victoria | url=http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/biosecurity | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>
*Victoria's Chief Health Officer is also Chief Human Biosecurity Officer for Victoria.<ref>{{cite web | title=New Chief Health Officer announced | website=Department of Health and Human Services Victoria | date=22 March 2019 | url=https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/news/new-chief-health-officer-announced | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

===Western Australia===
*The Biosecurity Council of Western Australia was established on 27 February 2008 as a specialist advisory group to the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the Director-General of the [[Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity Council | website=Agriculture and Food | date=23 October 2018 | url=https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/bam/biosecurity-council | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> under the ''Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/publications/tabledpapers.nsf/displaypaper/4010213a4c3d7d22ffde7bb64825812300165804/$file/213.pdf|title=Biosecurity Council of Western Australia Annual Report 2015/16|publisher=[[Government of Western Australia]]|author=Western Australian Agriculture Authority|date=November 2016|access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref> (BAM Act). The ''Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Regulations 2013'' support the Act.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/publications/tabledpapers.nsf/displaypaper/3910148c640415c0d51daf6348257b6c00157500/$file/tp-148.pdf|journal=Western Australian Government Gazette|title=Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Regulations 2013|date=5 February 2013|access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref> The BAM Act replaced 16 older Acts and 27 sets of regulations with one Act and nine sets of regulations.<ref>{{cite web | title=Agriculture and Food | website=Biosecurity governance | date=15 August 2019 | url=https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/biosecurity-biosecurity-quarantinebiosecurity-governance | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 | website=Agriculture and Food | date=1 May 2013 | url=https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/bam/biosecurity-and-agriculture-management-act-2007 | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>
*Within the Department of Health, the State Health Coordinator and State Human Epidemic Controller form part of the Hazard Management Structure<ref>{{cite web | title=Hazard Management Structure | website=State Emergency Management Committee | date=24 May 2020 | url=https://semc.wa.gov.au/emergency-management/em-fundamentals/Hazard-Management-Structure | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> created by the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC), which was established by the ''Emergency Management Act 2005'' (EM Act).<ref>{{cite web | title=About SEMC | website=State Emergency Management Committee | date=24 May 2020 | url=https://semc.wa.gov.au/about-us | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> The State Hazard Plan was created in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://semc.wa.gov.au/emergency-management/plans/state-hazard-plans/Documents/StateHazardPlanHumanBiosecurity.pdf|title=State Hazard Plan|date=24 May 2019}}</ref>

==CSIRO==
The [[Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation]] (CSIRO), the government agency responsible for scientific research, collaborates with the relevant government departments, as well as industry, universities and other international agencies, to help protect Australian people, livestock, plants and the environment.<ref name=csiro>{{cite web | title=Health and Biosecurity | website=CSIRO | url=https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/BF | access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref>

In 2014, CSIRO produced an 87-page document titled ''Australia's Biosecurity Future: Preparing for Future Biological Challenges''.<ref>{{cite web | title=Australia's Biosecurity Future — preparing for future biological challenges | website=CSIRO | date=2 April 2020 | url=https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/BF/Areas/Our-impact-strategy/Biosecurity-Future-Report}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.csiro.au/rpr/download?pid=csiro:EP146693&dsid=DS4|title=Australia's Biosecurity Future: Preparing for Future Biological Challenges|publisher=CSIRO|date=2014|first1=Meredith|last1=Simpson| first2=Vivek |last2=Srinivasan|others=Many contributors}}</ref>

==Past and present threats==
===2020: Coronavirus===
{{main|COVID-19 pandemic in Australia}}
On 18 March 2020,<ref name=decl/> a human biosecurity emergency was declared in Australia owing to the risks to human health posed by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], after the [[National Security Committee (Australia)|National Security Committee]] met the previous day. The ''Biosecurity Act 2015'' specifies that the [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]] may declare such an emergency exists if the [[Minister for Health (Australia)|Health Minister]] (at the time [[Greg Hunt]]) is satisfied that "a listed human disease is posing a severe and immediate threat, or is causing harm, to human health on a nationally significant scale". This gives the Minister sweeping powers, including imposing restrictions or preventing the movement of people and goods between specified places, and [[Emergency evacuation|evacuation]]s.<ref name=emergdec>{{cite web | last=McPhee | first=Sarah | title=Human biosecurity emergency declared in Australia | website=NewsComAu | date=17 March 2020 | url=https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/coronavirus-australia-human-biosecurity-emergency-declared/news-story/cd7fbff78297c076c8bb774595459c59 | access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref> The ''Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020'' was declared by the Governor-General, [[David Hurley]], under Section 475 of the Act.<ref name=decl/> The Act only allows for three months, but may be extended for a further three if the Governor-General is satisfied that it is required.<ref name=emergdec/><ref name=parlexpl/>

The ''Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020'', made by the Health Minister on the same day, forbids international cruise ships from entering Australian ports before 15 April 2020.<ref name=parlexpl/>

On 25 March 2020, the Health Minister made a second determination, the ''Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Overseas Travel Ban Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020'', which "forbids Australian citizens and permanent residents from leaving Australian territory by air or sea as a passenger".<ref name=parlexpl/>

On 25 April 2020, the ''Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements—Public Health Contact Information) Determination 2020'', made under subsection 477(1) of the Act, was signed into law by the Health Minister.<ref name=appleg>{{cite web | title=Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements—Public Health Contact Information) Determination 2020|publisher=Australian Government | website=Federal Register of Legislation | date=25 April 2020 | url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2020L00480 | access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref> The purpose of the new legislation is "to make [[contact tracing]] faster and more effective by encouraging public acceptance and uptake of COVIDSafe", COVIDSafe being the new [[mobile app]] created for the purpose. The function of the app is to record contact between any two people who both have the app on their phones when they come within {{convert|1.5|m}} of each other. The encrypted data would remain on the phone for 21 days of not encountering a person logged with confirmed COVID-19.<ref name=covidsafe>{{cite web | first=t Brett|last= Worthington| title=Coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe released by Government to halt spread of COVID-19 in Australia| website=ABC News | date=26 April 2020 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-26/coronavirus-tracing-app-covidsafe-australia-government-covid-19/12186130 | access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref>

{{as of|April 2020}}, the (federal) Department of Health has a page devoted to the pandemic, which is updated daily.<ref name=dohcovid>{{cite web | title=Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert | website=Australian Government Department of Health | date=6 February 2020 | url=https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert | access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref>

The state and territory governments used existing legislation relating to public health emergencies in order to bring in various measures in March.<ref name=karp16mar>{{cite web | last=Karp | first=Paul | title=Australian state governments declare public health emergencies to contain coronavirus | website=the Guardian | date=16 March 2020 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/australian-state-governments-declare-public-health-emergencies-to-contain-coronavirus | access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref>

*In South Australia, a public health emergency was declared on 15 March 2020, under Section 87 of the ''Public Health Act 2011'' (SA). [[SA Health]] is responsible for the provision, maintenance and coordination of health services under the ''Emergency Management Act 2004'' the ''State Emergency Management Plan'' (SEMP).<ref>{{cite web | title=COVID-19: SA Health Response| website=SA Health| url=https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+topics+a+-+z/covid+2019/covid-19+response/sa+health+response+-+covid-19 | access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> A dedicated web page to provide information for the community and health professionals was created, with linked pages to key information updated daily.<ref name="Part">{{cite web |title=Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) | website=SA Health | url=https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+topics+a+-+z/covid+2019/novel+coronavirus | access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> On 27 March 2020, using the ''Emergency Management Act 2004'',<ref>{{cite web | title=Emergency Management Act 2004|website=South Australian Legislation | publisher=Government of South Australia. Attorney-General's Dept| date=27 March 2020 | url=https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/EMERGENCY%20MANAGEMENT%20ACT%202004.aspx | access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref> the State Coordinator, [[Commissioner of Police|Commissioner]] of [[South Australia Police]] Grant Stevens, made a direction to prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people, and with a limit of one person per 4 square metres.<ref name="South Australia Police - Keeping SA Safe 2020">{{cite web | title=Prohibited Gatherings of People in South Australia (New Declaration COVID-19) | website=South Australia Police | date=27 March 2020 | url=https://www.police.sa.gov.au/sa-police-news-assets/front-page-news/prohibited-gatherings-of-people-in-south-australia-new-declaration-covid-19 | access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref>
*In Victoria, a state of emergency was declared on 16 March under the ''Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008'' (Vic), allowing health officials to "detain people, search premises without a [[search warrant|warrant]], and force people or areas into lockdown if it is considered necessary to protect public health".<ref name="Murray-Atfield 2020">{{cite web | last=Murray-Atfield | first=Yara | title=Victoria has declared an 'unprecedented' state of emergency. Here's what that means | website=ABC News | date=16 March 2020 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-16/victoria-coronavirus-state-of-emergency-powers-explained/12059194 | access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=karp16mar/> The state of emergency was for four weeks to 13 April, and on 12 April was extended by four weeks to 11 May.
*On 18 March 2020, New South Wales used Section 7 of their ''Public Health Act 2010'' to require the immediate cancellation of major events with more than 500 people outdoors, and more than 100 people indoors.<ref>{{cite web | title=Diseases - Events and gatherings: Public Health (COVID-19 Mass Gatherings) Order 2020 | website=NSW Health | date=18 March 2020 | url=https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/covid-19-events.aspx | access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> [[NSW Health]] has a page dedicated to COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web | title=Alerts - COVID-19 - Frequently asked questions | website=NSW Health | date=11 March 2020 | url=https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx | access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Australian Plague Locust Commission]]
*[[Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis]] (CEBRA), at the University of Melbourne
*[[Food safety in Australia]]
* [[Food Standards Australia New Zealand]]
*[[List of Australian Commonwealth Government entities]]

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Tas-DPIPWE-blueberry-rust">{{cite web | title=Blueberry rust | website=[[Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (Tasmania)|Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania]] | date=2020-12-20 | url=http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant-biosecurity/pests-and-diseases/blueberry-rust | access-date=2020-12-20}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
*{{official|https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-biosecurity-information.htm|Department of Health: Biosecurity information}}
*{{official|https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity|Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Biosecurity}}
*{{cite web|url=https://beta.biosecurity.gov.au/|website=Biosecurity|publisher=Australian Government|title=Protect Australia from harmful pests, diseases and weeds|access-date=24 March 2020|archive-date=7 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307212430/https://beta.biosecurity.gov.au/|url-status=dead}} – Beta version of new government website (2020)
*{{cite web|url=https://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/|title=Farm Biosecurity}} – "part of the Farm Biosecurity Program, a joint initiative of Animal Health Australia (AHA) and Plant Health Australia (PHA), managed on behalf of members".
*{{cite web | title=About us  | website=Animal Health Australia | date=30 June 2018 | url=https://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/who-we-are/about/}}

===Biosecurity Australia (2007–2009)===

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120125120346/http://www.daff.gov.au/ba Biosecurity Australia] (archived)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120117172636/http://daff.gov.au/ Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry] (archived)

{{CC-notice|cc=by4|url=https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/sitecollectiondocuments/biosecurity/partnerships/nbc/priorities-for-aus-bio-system.pdf|author(s)=Wendy Craik, David Palmer & Richard Sheldrake}}

[[Category:Environment of Australia]]
[[Category:Agriculture in Australia]]
[[Category:Biosecurity|+]]
[[Category:Health in Australia]]

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