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Department of Agriculture

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  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Import
  4. Arrival of goods in Australia
  5. Check cargo, containers and vessels for pests
  6. Plant diseases

Sidebar first - Import

  • Check cargo, containers and vessels for pests
    • Asian gypsy moth
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    • Plant diseases
    • Weeds and seeds

Plant diseases

​The risk to Australia

Plant diseases cost Australia millions of dollars each year as they reduce productivity, increase the cost of production, impact on our ability to trade both locally and internationally and adversely affect our environment and biodiversity.

A photo of a leaf with markings from pest or/and disease.A photo of a variety of seeds.A photo of a diseased leaf.
Note: images are not to size

Australia is free of many serious plant diseases such as karnal bunt of wheat, citrus greening, black sigatoka of banana and plum pox of stone fruit. While some plant diseases only affect a small number of plants, others can infect many different species. These exotic diseases, which can enter Australia on leaves, seed, fruit, roots and timber, pose a significant risk to both our plant industries and the environment.

What plant diseases look like

Plant diseases can infect any part of a plant and symptoms can vary. Disease symptoms can include leaf spots, lumps, cankers, colour changes (mottling, ring spots and lines), wilting, rots, malformed foliage, root galls and excessive growth.

What to look for

Since any part of a plant, from the seed to the roots, can be infected, look for anything unusual on seeds, fruit, leaves and other plant material including timber. Seeds may appear healthy but can still carry disease, so be sure to keep an eye out for them.

SEE. SECURE. REPORT.

If you see a biosecurity risk or suspected plant disease, secure the plant or goods to limit the spread of disease where possible and immed​iately report it to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestryon 1800 798 636.

For safety, consult a departmental plant pathologist before handling diseased plants.

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

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Report a biosecurity concern

Other format

  • Plant diseases PDF  [614 KB, 2 pages]
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Page last updated: 10 January 2023

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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