Whether you are a researcher, grower or member of the public, any unusual plant pest or disease should be reported immediately to the relevant state or territory agriculture agency through the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881 or other formal reporting means promoted by state or territory jurisdictions (see contact details below). Prompt reporting increases the chance of effective control and eradication.

Calls to the hotline will connect to an automated system that allows the caller to choose the state or territory that the call relates to. The caller will then be connected to the relevant authority for that jurisdiction where calls will be answered by an experienced person, who will ask some questions to help understand the situation, such as:

• what was seen (describe the pest or send a photo) and when was it was first noticed
• where it was found and what it was on
• how many pests are present/how infected is the crop
• how widely distributed it is.

Every report is taken seriously and treated confidentially. In some states and territories, the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline only operates during business hours. The info below outlines the operating hours in each jurisdiction and an alternative contact if necessary.

Remember: Suspect material should generally not be moved or samples collected without seeking advice from the relevant state or territory department, as incorrect handling of samples could spread the pest or render the samples unsuitable for diagnostic purposes.