9-10 September 2025
Communiqué
The National Biosecurity Committee (NBC) met on 9 and 10 September 2025 in Melbourne. The meeting was co-chaired by Justine Saunders (Deputy Secretary, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (department)) and Rachel Chay (Deputy Director General & Chief Biosecurity Officer, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Primary Industries).
Day 1 - NBC priorities and updates from NBC subcommittees and working groups
The NBC considered the progress of activities under the National Biosecurity Strategy (NBS) Action Plan and agreed to priority focus areas for further consideration including biosecurity skills needs analysis, data/information sharing and traceability. The NBC agreed to the draft plan to implement the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB) 2024 Review completed by Dr Michelle Allan. The NBC also agreed to progress this plan to agriculture senior officials and agriculture ministers in October and November 2025 respectively.
The NBC discussed a coordinated approach to key national investments in the biosecurity system, reinforcing collaboration and shared responsibility for critical capabilities and infrastructure. Sustainable funding considerations for the plant health system and how this relates to the broader system, were also considered.
The NBC noted the significant uplift in H5 bird flu preparedness following the Australian Government’s $100 million investment. This was complemented by a presentation on behavioural insights research in relation to public sentiment towards H5 bird flu. This research, conducted by the HPAI Preparedness Taskforce, will help inform targeted communications for preparedness and response.
Updates were provided from the five NBC subcommittees (Animal Health Committee, Plant Health Committee, National Biosecurity Communications and Engagement Network, Marine Pest Sectoral Committee and Environment and Invasives Committee) covering ongoing and future priorities to strengthen the national biosecurity system.
Day 2 - NBC reform strategic workshop
The NBC continues to advance its reform agenda to strengthen its strategic leadership of the national biosecurity system. As part of this effort, NBC members leveraged their collective expertise to preliminarily identify and rate key system-wide strategic risks for the biosecurity system, as a starting point. These risks will be revisited at each meeting to ensure NBC maintains a current understanding of how these risks might impact the national biosecurity system. They will also inform discussion and decisions by agriculture senior officials and agriculture ministers.
The NBC noted pressures on the national biosecurity emergency response arrangements due to increased frequency, complexity and cost of biosecurity incursions. As a result, the NBC agreed to review long-standing policy issues with the existing cost-sharing arrangements in partnership with the deed Custodians (the department, Plant Health Australia and Animal Health Australia) and industry representatives. Initial stakeholder consultation on this project will occur by end-December 2025. The NBC also held preliminary discussions on longer term reforms to the system to support its resilience and sustainability.
The NBC will strengthen communication with its subcommittees to align national priorities. The NBC also considered a refreshed National Biosecurity Communication and Engagement Strategy to enhance real-time communication and engagement with stakeholders.
Finally, the NBC agreed to a draft 3-year rolling workplan, a version of which will be made public upon its finalisation, that sets out key overarching deliverables and is aligned to agriculture ministers’ priorities, the NBS and the IGAB. The NBC also agreed to an updated Terms of Reference and a communications plan. These documents will be presented to senior officials and agriculture ministers for their endorsement in the coming months.
The NBC will next meet virtually in October (for a traceability workshop) and in November 2025 with the next face to face meeting in March 2026 in Canberra.
The National Biosecurity Committee is responsible for managing a national, strategic approach to biosecurity threats relating to plant and animal pests and diseases, marine and aquatic pests, and the impact of these on agricultural production, the environment, community wellbeing and social amenity. The Committee provides advice to the Agriculture Senior Officials Committee and the Agriculture Minister’s Forum on national biosecurity issues, and on progress in implementing the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity.
For more information, visit the National Biosecurity Committee’s website, hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry