Australia has a favourable animal health status. We are free from many of the economically important diseases that occur in other parts of the world.
Laboratory diagnostics are key components of Australia’s animal health system.
Quality-assured diagnostics:
- detect emergency and emerging animal diseases early
- support the management of endemic pests and diseases
These activities support national and international trade in livestock products. This helps to safeguard the economy, environment and health of Australians.
Our network
We are part of a national animal health laboratory network. The network includes state and territory governments, CSIRO, universities and industry groups. The network undertakes and manages diagnostic activities in Australia.
By working together, the network helps Australia meet local and international requirements for animal health testing. This supports certification, trade and market access.
National laboratory policies and guidelines
We maintain several national policies and guidelines for animal health laboratories in Australia:
- Standards & Guidelines: Generation and Analysis of High Throughput Sequencing Data
- Decision making for High Throughput Sequencing Used for Biosecurity Diagnostic Purposes
- Guidelines for Implementing Diagnostic Next Generation Sequencing
- Policy for the Transfer of Biological Specimens to Overseas Laboratories.