Detector dog teams work hard on Australia’s frontline to detect biosecurity risk material before it crosses our border. By sniffing out meat, seeds and plant material at our borders, they help to keep out exotic pests and diseases hitching a ride.
The detector dog program succeeds not only because of the skilled noses of the dogs, but also because of the exceptional people who support them. Dog handlers, trainers, scientists, supervisors and program managers bring expertise, care, and purpose to every detection.
In 2026, the 34th year of the detector dog program, we’re celebrating the people and the dogs who work together to keep Australia’s agriculture, environment and communities protected.
Watch Holly Buckle, Assistant Secretary of Cargo Operations South and Detector Dogs talk about how the program helps strengthen our biosecurity system.
Look out for more videos this year that showcase our detector dog heroes and the talented people who support them.
My name is Holly Buckle, I am the Assistant Secretary of the Cargo Operations South and Detector Dogs branch.
Our detector dog program is mobile and versatile. We work at airports, seaports and mail centres.
Our detector dogs focus on 9 target groups, which equates to over 200 commodities.
We have a whole team of people dedicated to the welfare of our biosecurity detector dogs. We have over 50 detector dogs, over 60 handlers, and that’s just the beginning.
We have people that look after the transport and the kennelling, and everything that will look after the dogs’ welfare.
The detector dog program is important to me because of the vital role detector dogs and their dedicated teams play in supporting biosecurity’s frontline.
I’m privileged to work in this role, and I see the dedication that people put into the detector dog program.
There are people in this program who have worked here for decades, and they turn up to work every day with their wonderful detector dogs to find biosecurity risk material to protect Australia’s economy, community and way of life.
If you’re returning to Australia, you may be lucky enough to see our detector dogs and their dedicated handlers in action at our borders.
What you’re seeing is our commitment to Australia’s biosecurity and our way of life.
