National Plant Health Policies

What is their purpose?

Australia’s strong participation in global plant trade is supported by a robust biosecurity system and active engagement in the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), which sets international standards for plant health. Contracting parties to the IPPC make provision for establishment of a National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO). In Australia, this role is carried out by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

As the NPPO, the department is responsible for Australia’s national plant health system and works with stakeholders to ensure the system aligns with the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). To support this, Australia has a series of domestic policies to provide a framework for scientifically justified measures to protect plant health, prevent the spread of pests to facilitate safe domestic and international trade. Each policy defines the responsibilities of governments, industry and other stakeholders.

The nationally endorsed plant health policies are:

Official Control of Plant Quarantine Pests: National Policy 2025 – Outlines requirements for official control programs to contain or manage quarantine pests that have established with a limited distribution.
National Policy on Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests (RNQPs) – Outlines requirements for managing pests that are present and potentially widespread in Australia but regulating those pests on the plant propagative material can minimise the economic damage.
National Policy on Pest Freedom Programs and Pest Absence – Outlines requirements for establishing pest free areas (PFAs), pest free places of production (PFPPs), pest free production sites (PFPSs), and determining areas of pest absence to support trade.

These policies are endorsed by the Plant Health Committee (PHC), which is the peak government forum for decision making on plant biosecurity policy. The policies support consistent decision-making across jurisdictions, enable safe trade, and reinforce Australia’s reputation for science-based regulation.

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General enquiries

Email us at Nationalpestpolicy@aff.gov.au for further information.