National Biosecurity Strategy
The National Biosecurity Strategy provides a collective vision for Australia’s future biosecurity system - a biosecurity system that protects Australia’s way of life. The strategy, which is endorsed by all agriculture ministers, was released on 9 August 2022.
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National Biosecurity Strategy (PDF 10.0 MB)
National Biosecurity Strategy (DOCX 6.3 MB)
National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan (PDF 4.8 MB)
National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan (DOCX 642 KB)
National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan 2024 (PDF 16.9 MB)
National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan 2024 (DOCX 548 KB)
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Our shared purpose
To develop a risk-based system underpinned by science that protects Australia’s people, our environment, economy and lifestyle from the biosecurity threats of today and tomorrow.
Delivering benefits for all Australians
The task for Australia’s biosecurity system is becoming increasingly complex, creating new challenges for governments, industry and other stakeholders in protecting Australia’s biosecurity status.
Strong and efficient biosecurity is ever more essential as Australia, and the rest of the world, respond to changing global and domestic travel, trade and climate patterns.
The National Biosecurity Strategy builds on existing work to provide a strategic direction for Australia’s biosecurity system.
It aligns our collective efforts towards a common purpose and provides a clear commitment to prioritised action and investment. This will ensure the system remains fit to meet the challenges of the next decade.
The National Biosecurity Strategy is underpinned by the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity and will build on and provide a key next step to the National Biosecurity Statement, and Australian, state and territory, and sectoral biosecurity strategies.
The National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan (NBS Implementation Plan) was released on 8 February 2024 and supports the rollout of the strategy from now until 2032. The NBS Implementation Plan outlines governance arrangements and will inform future planning work over the 10-year life of the strategy. It will contribute to the development of future national action plans and support the vision of a connected, resilient and shared national biosecurity system.
Australia’s inaugural National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan (NBS Action Plan) was endorsed by agriculture ministers in late 2024. The NBS Action Plan acknowledges the considerable work already underway across the biosecurity system, complementing the intensive efforts of Australian, state and territory governments, industry, First Nations communities, landowners and managers, environmental groups and the community to strengthen our world class biosecurity system.
Priority areas
To achieve our vision and purpose, we will act in 6 priority areas.
Shared biosecurity culture
We will enhance our culture of biosecurity action so everyone understands its importance and plays their part.
Stronger partnerships
We will strengthen and expand partnerships and networks between all stakeholders at local, regional, national and international levels.
Highly skilled workforce
We will develop and sustain a highly skilled workforce to ensure we have the right capability, in the right place, at the right time.
Coordinated preparedness and response
We will boost our system’s adaptability and its capacity to prevent, detect, manage, respond to and recover from outbreaks.
Sustainable investment
We will ensure funding and investment is sufficient, co-funded, transparent, targeted to our priorities and sustainable for the long term.
Integration supported by technology, research and data
We will create a more connected, efficient and science-based system to facilitate more timely, informed and risk-based decisions.
National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Committee
Implementation of the National Biosecurity Strategy is underway.
The National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Committee has been established to support the delivery of the National Implementation Plan and National Action Plan.
The members of the National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Committee are:
- Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Queensland Department of Primary Industries
- Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
- Australian Local Government Association
- Western Australian Local Government Association and Local Government New South Wales (rotating)
- Australian Chicken Meat Federation (animal industry forum representative)
- Australian Forest Products Association (plant industry forum representative)
- Aquaculture Council of Western Australia
- Cattle Australia
- National Farmers’ Federation
- Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union
- Freight and Trade Alliance
- Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Invasive Species Council
- Natural Resource Management Regions Australia
- Grains Research and Development Corporation
- Integrity Systems Company (subsidiary of Meat & Livestock Australia)
- Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative
- University of Tasmania
- National Indigenous Australians Agency
National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Working Group
The National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Working Group was established from July 2023 through to July 2025.
The working group worked closely with the National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Committee (NIC) to support the implementation planning stage and the development of the first NBS Action Plan. The working group also played a key role in conducting broader stakeholder engagement.
We would like to thank all members for their valuable contributions to the group, and continuing collaboration through other forums to support strengthening Australia’s biosecurity system.
Get in touch
You can contact the National Biosecurity Strategy Team at nationalbiosecuritystrategy@aff.gov.au.