Overview

The plant biosecurity system in Australia

Keeping Australia’s plant industries free of pests and diseases is a continuous process.

Pre-border and at the Australian border, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) minimises the likelihood of pests and diseases entering the country.

Post-border, the management of plant biosecurity is a partnership between federal and state governments, plant industries and producers. The following chart shows how these parties interact. Plant Health Australia focuses its efforts post-border, increasing collaboration between the parties to aid in the effectiveness of all activities.

Components of the system

Pre-border – DAFF

• Risk analysis and import approvals (including import risk analysis & policy, risk management & communication)
• Export market access negotiations
• Offshore assessment, audit and verification
• International standards development
• Capacity building in overseas countries
• Gathering global pest intelligence

At the border – DAFF

• Implementation of risk management system
• Policy implementation
• Education & awareness
• Inspection & monitoring
• Enforcement & compliance

Post-border – DAFF, state & territory governments, PHA, plant industries and producers

• Emergency preparedness
• Practice & simulations
• Education & awareness
• Monitoring & surveillance
• National coordination & response to pest incursions
• Domestic quarantine
• Pest management
• Pre-emptive breeding

The video below explains our plant biosecurity system in more detail.