How to nominate a biosecurity champion

Recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution over a sustained period. This contribution must be beyond their normal responsibilities.

Eligibility

• 10 or more years of sustained contribution to Australian biosecurity.

Assessment criteria

• Demonstrates significant contribution to Australian biosecurity and leadership in the areas of:
  • research
  • industry achievements
  • professional service.

Recognises an outstanding individual as an ambassador for science and innovation.

Assessment criteria

• Develops, promotes and leads efforts to strengthen scientific capacity. This can increase biosecurity capability in the domestic and/or international arena.
• Demonstrates outstanding scientific contribution to our animal or plant health status. This includes preparedness and response to animal or plant health or environmental biosecurity issues and incursions.
• Designs or leads new technology or approaches. These must assist in the detection and/or management of biosecurity risks.
• Develops and/or implements an innovation that has strengthened our biosecurity system.

Recognises Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals, groups and organisations for:

• outstanding contributions to Australian biosecurity
• exceptional commitment to protect Country and people from pests, weeds and diseases.

Eligibility

• Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Either as an individual, group, or organisation (such as ranger program).

Assessment criteria

• Contributes to managing the threat of exotic and established pests, weeds and diseases.
• Demonstrates connection to First Nations people, community and culture.
• Promotes Caring for Country and/or protecting Australia's biosecurity.
• Helps to increase First Nations capability, capacity and involvement in the biosecurity system.
• Embraces Indigenous Knowledge and/or develops new techniques or tools. Improves biosecurity outcomes through analysis, research or innovation.

We present this award with Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia.

Eligibility

• Be an Australian primary producer or grower, including individuals and organisations. This comprises all forms of Australian farming. It can include:
  • large commercial operations
  • new and emerging niche industries
  • operators
  • hobby-level farmers.

Assessment criteria

• Demonstrates a sound understanding of the 6 essentials of farm biosecurity:
  • farm inputs
  • people, vehicles and equipment
  • production practices
  • feral animals and weeds
  • farm outputs
  • train, plan and record.
• Applies biosecurity practices relevant to their property/properties.
• Carries out biosecurity activities as best-practice preventative measures. Not just responses to specific threats.
• Shows evidence of their biosecurity activities. For example, through planning, records, procedures.
• Advocates for proactive on-farm biosecurity practices among their peers and community.

Recognises individuals, groups or organisations. They must significantly contribute to Australia’s biosecurity in their related industry.

Assessment criteria

• Designs, implements and/or leads biosecurity initiatives pre-border, at border and/or post-border. Raises awareness of biosecurity risks and requirements to support Australia’s biosecurity integrity.
• Identifies, reports and/or leads the management of a disease outbreak or pest incursion. This can include reporting suspicious activities.
• Demonstrates an outstanding contribution to protecting animal or plant health or environmental biosecurity.
• Collaborates with us and/or other stakeholders to improve biosecurity outcomes. This can include First Nations individuals, groups or organisations.

Recognises government employees, partnerships or organisations. They must demonstrate a significant contribution to maintaining Australia’s biosecurity integrity.

Eligibility

• Cannot be employed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Assessment criteria

• Designs, implements and/or leads biosecurity initiatives pre-border, at border and/or post-border. Raises awareness of biosecurity risks and requirements to support Australia’s biosecurity integrity.
• Identifies, reports and/or leads the management of a disease outbreak or pest incursion. This can include reporting suspicious activities.
• Demonstrates an outstanding contribution to protecting animal or plant health or environmental biosecurity.
• Collaborates with us and/or other stakeholders to improve biosecurity outcomes. This can include First Nations individuals, groups or organisations.

Recognises individuals, groups or organisations. They must demonstrate a significant contribution to protecting our environment from biosecurity risks.

Assessment criteria

• Leads, develops and/or implements preparedness, response and management activities to non-native pests, weeds and disease incursions preventing their entry, spread, and establishment in Australia.
• Raises awareness of environmental biosecurity. Working with their community/region/industry sector and/or state, to reduce biosecurity risks. For example:
  • promoted environmental biosecurity in schools/community groups
  • introduced environment focused work practices in an organisation or sector
  • designed/implemented a program to improve environmental biosecurity practices.
• Develops or applies new knowledge, techniques or tools. Improving environmental biosecurity outcomes through analysis, research, extension or innovation.
• Promotes First Nations participation in activities to improve environmental biosecurity outcomes.
• Promotes networks and collaboration. Aims to improve responses to new and emerging environmental pests, weeds and diseases.

Recognises individuals, groups or organisations that significantly contribute to biosecurity outcomes in the community.

Assessment criteria

• Designs, implements and/or leads biosecurity initiatives within their community. Raises awareness of biosecurity risks and requirements to support Australia’s biosecurity integrity.
• Identifies, reports and/or leads the management of a disease outbreak or pest incursion. This can include reporting suspicious activities.
• Demonstrates an outstanding contribution to protecting animal or plant health or environmental biosecurity.
• Collaborates with us and/or other stakeholders to improve biosecurity outcomes. This can include First Nations individuals, groups or organisations.

Recognises individuals, groups or organisations that make a significant contribution to biosecurity education.

Assessment criteria

• Identifies as a school, curriculum or related initiative, including higher education facilities. Must offer biosecurity courses, curriculum or projects to raise community awareness.
• Develops biosecurity education approaches during the school year.
• Includes biosecurity related activities in their curriculum.
• Collaborates with us and/or other stakeholders to improve biosecurity outcomes. This can include First Nations individuals, groups or organisations.
• Demonstrates commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in the biosecurity space.