National Plant Biosecurity Strategy

The National Plant Biosecurity Strategy provides a national framework to strengthen Australia’s plant biosecurity system. It sets the focus and strategic direction for plant biosecurity activities, and drives the way for effective collaboration and action by all participants, including governments, plant industries and the community.

The second-generation strategy outlines four interconnected priority areas needed to build a resilient and contemporary national plant biosecurity system that supports Australia’s plant industries, economy, environment and communities. Each priority area is supported by a series of actions that will guide and support national policy and inform investment across all aspects of the system.

This strategy is preceded by the 2010–2020 National Plant Biosecurity Strategy. The 2010–2020 strategy recognised the importance of working together to respond to current and future biosecurity challenges, and played a key role guiding activities to support improvements to Australia’s plant biosecurity system. It helped deliver a system vital to supporting our way of life where:

The rapid and accurate diagnosis of potential plant pests is carried out using a sophisticated nationally integrated diagnostic network.
The capacity and skills of people to prepare for potential plant biosecurity incidents is enhanced through various training and professional development activities.
A range of digital resources are available and routinely used to prevent, identify and respond to plant biosecurity incidents.
Various software and technology platforms are in place to manage the collection, collation and analysis of plant biosecurity information.

Annual action plan

The 2022-23 Action Plan complements, supports and builds on the strategy in outlining the key activities that contribute to the delivery of the actions and expected outcomes.

The Action Plan also identifies the lead/champion for each activity to provide transparency and accountability for stakeholders across the system.