National Biosecurity Strategy

The National Biosecurity Strategy (NBS) 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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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.

Annual reports

The NBS annual reports outline progress towards the NBS vision, summarise annual achievements, challenges and next steps across the six NBS priority areas.

2025

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Delivering benefits for all Australians

Australia’s biosecurity system is operating in an increasingly complex environment, shaped by changing global and domestic travel, trade and climate patterns. Strong, efficient and coordinated biosecurity arrangements are therefore more critical than ever to protect Australia’s biosecurity status.

The NBS provides a shared strategic direction for Australia’s biosecurity system, building on existing national, state, territory and sectoral efforts. Underpinned by the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity, it builds on and provides a key next step to the National Biosecurity Statement, aligning collective action and investment to ensure the system remains fit for purpose over the next decade.

Implementation is supported by key documents:

  • National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan (NBS Implementation Plan), released on 8 February 2024.
  • Inaugural National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan (NBS Action Plan), endorsed by agriculture ministers in late 2024.
  • National Biosecurity Strategy Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Framework (NBS MERI Framework), released on 30 April 2026.

Together, these establish governance arrangements, set delivery priorities and provide a consistent approach to monitoring progress, supporting effective implementation and continuous improvement.

Alongside the continued delivery of the NBS, Agriculture Ministers have tasked the National Biosecurity Committee with developing and consulting on reforms to meet evolving risks to Australia’s biosecurity system. Information can be found on the National Biosecurity Committee webpage.

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 Governance

Delivery of the National Biosecurity Strategy is supported by established governance arrangements. The National Biosecurity Committee (NBC) is the decision‑making body for implementation, with the National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Committee (NIC) working in partnership with the NBC to guide, support and provide strategic advice on delivery of the strategy.

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

During the early stages of implementation planning and development of the first NBS Action Plan, the National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Working Group (Working Group) operated from July 2023 to July 2025. The contribution of Working Group members is acknowledged and sincerely thanked, including their ongoing collaboration through other forums to support a stronger national biosecurity system.

Get in touch

You can contact the National Biosecurity Strategy Team at nationalbiosecuritystrategy@aff.gov.au.