Overview
The project aims to develop an AMS assessment framework for use by industries to identify areas for improvement. This follows on from a previous Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) project – Quantifying antimicrobial usage (AMU) in Australian companion and production animals.
It will define quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to provide context for AMU data. These indicators will also highlight gaps in AMS that impact all Australian-specific animal health contexts.
Project Lead: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Project Contact: animalplan@aff.gov.au
Project Status: Active
Objective alignment:
- 4 – Manage the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Activity alignment:
- 4.1 – Implement AMR activities as identified in the One Health AMR Master Action Plan and Australia’s Animal Sector AMR Action Plan 2023 to 2028.
Project updates
Future Actions
The project is developing methodology for using the framework as the basis for conducting a national-level assessment. This will help to identify areas requiring support across all sectors. The outcomes of this assessment will suggest updates to the Australian Animal AMR Action Plan.
May 2025
The draft framework has been completed and is being prepared for publication. The framework is being used as the basis for a sector-level AMS action plan for the wildlife and zoo sector (partnership between Wildlife Health Australia and the Zoo and Aquarium Association). This is expected to be finalised by the end of June 2025.
Negotiations with industry groups and sectors are ongoing regarding the process and resources needed to adapt and complete a national-level AMS assessment./p>
Discussions with international partners to adapt the process to different country contexts are underway.
February 2025
The ‘AMS Assessment Framework’ project successfully developed a national framework. It is being prepared for public release. This framework provides a comprehensive definition of AMS. It has already been adapted and adopted by several industries. The adapted frameworks for the pig, wildlife and zoo sectors are nearly finished.
November 2024
The draft framework was completed and was being prepared for publication. A framework for the wildlife sector was being finalised as a sector-level action plan with discussions on expansion to include the zoo and aquarium sectors.
Negotiations with each industry were ongoing regarding the process and resources needed to adapt and complete a national level AMS assessment.
See more
One Health AMR Master Action Plan (amr.gov.au)
Australia’s Animal Sector Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan 2023 to 2028 (agriculture.gov.au)
Quantifying antimicrobial usage (AMU) in Australian companion and production animals (publication.csiro.au)