April 2025 marks a significant milestone for Plant Health Australia (PHA): 25 years of leadership and collaboration in building and strengthening Australia’s plant biosecurity system.

Australia is recognised as having one of the strongest plant biosecurity systems in the world. Through close partnerships with governments, industries and research organisations, PHA has helped protect our environment, support farmers and communities, secure international trade, and safeguard our way of life.

This milestone reflects decades of bringing expertise, knowledge and stakeholders together to find solutions that improve plant biosecurity outcomes. It highlights the critical role that biosecurity will continue to play in ensuring a sustainable future for all Australians.

Reflecting on 25 years

Since its establishment in 2000, PHA has worked across sectors to coordinate national biosecurity efforts and ensure the system remains strategic, responsive and future-focused. Under the leadership of inaugural Chairperson Andrew Inglis and CEO Neil Fisher, early achievements included the development of the Australian Plant Pest Database (APPD), the expansion of the membership base, and the foundational work that led to the world-first Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD), ratified in 2005.

PHA’s commitment to practical partnerships has remained constant. Initiatives such as PLANTPLAN, the National Plant Health Status Report, and national surveillance coordination through AUSPestCheck® have all strengthened Australia’s ability to detect and respond to biosecurity threats.

In 2020, CEO Sarah Corcoran was appointed, ushering in a new five-year strategic plan that focused on enhancing national readiness, strengthening partnerships, and leveraging technology and innovation to support Australia’s plant industries.

Today, PHA’s membership includes 57 government and industry organisations, all united by a shared commitment to a strong, collaborative biosecurity system. As a not-for-profit company, PHA invests Member subscriptions into activities and initiatives designed to protect Australia’s plant industries and environment from harmful pests and diseases.

The importance of biosecurity

Biosecurity is the management of risks to the economy, environment and community from the entry, establishment or spread of pests and diseases. Australia’s island geography has helped maintain our freedom from many of the world’s most destructive pests, but global trade, climate change and emerging threats are putting growing pressure on the system.

In Australia, an average of 40 new plant pest incursions are experienced each year, with pests and diseases estimated to cause 20–40% of annual crop losses globally. The rising complexity of these threats requires a proactive, coordinated and resilient biosecurity system.

Strong biosecurity underpins our agricultural success, supports farmers, protects ecosystems, secures international markets for Australian produce and protects the Australian way of life. It is a shared responsibility, involving governments, growers, exporters, researchers, and the broader community who work together for shared benefits.

PHA’s role today

PHA is the trusted national coordinator of the government–industry partnership for plant biosecurity in Australia. Every day, we:

• coordinate national efforts to prevent, prepare for and respond to plant pest threats
• work with industry, government and research partners to strengthen surveillance, diagnostics and emergency response capabilities
• drive the development and use of digital systems, risk analysis tools and training programs to improve efficiency and readiness across Australia
• foster strong communication and collaboration across the plant industries, embedding biosecurity in daily practice.

Through these efforts, PHA helps ensure that Australia’s biosecurity system remains world-class, adaptable, and future-oriented.

Building the future

Reaching 25 years is both a time to celebrate and a time to look forward. PHA remains committed to strengthening biosecurity systems, embracing new technologies, and building the resilience needed to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Through collective action, innovation, and a shared commitment to protecting Australia’s plant health, we are preparing the system for the future—ensuring Australia’s agriculture, communities, and environment remain protected for generations to come.