Australia has just concluded its largest-ever defence exercise — Talisman Sabre 2025 — and the department played a critical role in ensuring this complex multinational operation was underpinned by strong biosecurity measures from the outset. With 19 nations participating in a series of high-tempo, joint military operations, the exercise highlighted not only military readiness, but also the importance of robust systems to protect Australia’s biosecurity.
Talisman Sabre 2025 provided a valuable opportunity to test the planning and execution of multinational and joint operations, including live fire exercises, field training, amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvres, air combat, and maritime operations.
Australia’s strict biosecurity controls apply to all arrivals — people, cargo, aircraft, and vessels — with no exceptions, even during significant defence exercises such as Talisman Sabre.
The department ensured that military equipment critical to the participating nations’ defence capabilities was free of biosecurity threats before entering the country.
To support this effort, 20 biosecurity officers travelled to Canada, the United States, Japan, the Philippines, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, and the Republic of Korea conducting approximately 500 days of offshore inspections in total.
Deputy Secretary of the Biosecurity and Compliance Group, Justine Saunders, said offshore biosecurity inspections are a vital component of the department’s support to the Australian Defence Force and international partners.
“Offshore biosecurity inspections are a critical element of the department’s support to the Australian Defence Force and partner nations for these multilateral exercises,” Ms Saunders said.
“It ensures that biosecurity risk is kept offshore to support forces moving into Australia’s training areas.”
“Australia’s biosecurity officers make a significant investment through our offshore inspection activities which contributes to our national security, from both an agricultural and defence perspective.”
Personnel and equipment began arriving in the weeks leading up to the exercise, the community may have noticed increased military activity in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales.
To manage the increased flow, biosecurity officers were also surged into Australia’s key points of entry.
More than 200 departmental staff contributed to the successful delivery of biosecurity activities associated with Talisman Sabre 2025, representing around 10 per cent of the Biosecurity Operations Division workforce.
“A strong, modern biosecurity system is essential for Australia’s success,” Ms Saunders said.
“This strength is only possible through continued investment, the commitment of our people, and the use of smart, responsive systems and technology.
“I’m immensely proud of the officers who worked tirelessly to support the ADF in delivering biosecurity outcomes for Talisman Sabre 2025.”
This week is National Biosecurity Week, an opportunity to recognise the critical role biosecurity plays in protecting our way of life. The department plays a central role every day—at our borders, in labs, on farms and in the field—to manage risks and keep harmful pests and diseases out.
You can help – if you spot something unusual call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
