We conduct a pest risk analysis (PRA) to assess the risk of a specific pest or disease across multiple import pathways. Where required, we identify risk management options.
Here you will find lists of current, finalised and ceased pest risk analyses.
In a PRA, we evaluate the evidence to determine whether an organism:
- is a pest
- needs regulation
- needs phytosanitary measures to manage its biosecurity risk.
We also conduct a group PRA to assess a group of pests across many import pathways and address new and emerging risks.
We follow 3 principal steps when conducting a PRA or group PRA:
- Our experts review the scientific knowledge that is relevant to the pest or group of pests. They then prepare a PRA report.
- We release a draft report for stakeholder consultation. The draft report identifies the biosecurity risks. It also identifies the risk management measures required to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection.
- We consider stakeholder comments and finalise the PRA or group PRA. We then publish a final report.
Group pest risk analyses
The group PRA process evaluates groups of pest organisms that share common biological characteristics. These organisms also have similar likelihoods of entry, establishment and spread, and comparable consequences. This means they pose a similar level of biosecurity risk.
We have conducted group PRAs for several pest groups and the viruses they transmit. These include:
Other pest groups may be considered for future group PRAs.
About the group PRA approach
We developed the group PRA approach as part of our work to improve the effectiveness and consistency of the PRA process.
Group PRAs are:
- built on more than 20 years of PRAs undertaken by our department. They are based on strong scientific analysis. They also include consultation with state and territory authorities, industry organisations and trading partners.
- validated with scientific evidence. This evidence includes interception data collected at Australia’s borders. It also includes reviewing thousands of research papers on major pests recognised internationally. We also use pests listed in Australian industry biosecurity plans, and pests identified as regional pests for Australia in consultation with states and territories.
- building blocks that help us review current and future trade pathways that need a PRA. This means we do not need to ‘reinvent the wheel’ each time we analyse the risks of individual species. It also helps us maintain a strong system that protects Australia from exotic pest and disease incursions, including new and emerging risks.
We use group PRAs to identify risk management measures that can address any biosecurity risks posed by these groups of pests. We may consider using these measures when:
- developing new import conditions for a commodity
- reviewing existing import conditions for a commodity.
Considerations during a pest risk analysis and group pest risk analysis
We undertake comprehensive risk assessments of pests and diseases. We also identify risk management options to address any risks of exotic pests and diseases. These measures reflect Australia’s approach to the management of biosecurity risk.
Zero risk is impossible. Aiming for zero risk would mean no tourists, no international travel and no imports of any commodities. Australia invests a lot in biosecurity to ensure risks are managed to the lowest possible level.
Australia exports over two-thirds of our agricultural produce. The future of our agricultural and food industries depends on maintaining good animal and plant health status.
Australia accepts imports only when we are confident the risks of pests and diseases can be managed. The risks must be managed to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia.
As a World Trade Organization (WTO) member, we are signatories to the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agreement). Through this agreement, all members have both rights and obligations.
The basic obligations of the SPS Agreement are that SPS measures must:
- be based on a risk assessment appropriate to the circumstances. They may also be drawn from standards developed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
- only be applied to the extent necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health
- be based on science
- not arbitrarily or unjustifiably discriminate between WTO members, or be a disguised restriction on trade.
Under the SPS Agreement, each WTO Member is entitled to maintain a level of protection it considers appropriate. This level of protection must relate to protecting human, animal or plant life or health within its territory. In other words, each member can set its own appropriate level of protection.
The appropriate level of protection (ALOP) for Australia is defined in the Biosecurity Act 2015 as ‘a high level of sanitary and phytosanitary protection aimed at reducing biosecurity risks to very low, but not to zero’. This definition was agreed with all state and territory governments. It recognises that a zero-risk stance is impractical.
The ALOP is a broad objective. Risk management measures are put in place to achieve that objective.
A risk analysis is an examination of the potential biosecurity risks associated with an import of animals, plants or other goods into Australia. It plays an important role in protecting Australia’s biosecurity.
If the assessed level of biosecurity risk does not achieve the ALOP for Australia, we will consider whether or not risk management measures would reduce the biosecurity risk to achieve the ALOP. If there are no risk management measures that reduce the risk to that level, trade will not be allowed.
New scientific information
Scientific information can be provided to us at any time, including after a risk analysis has been completed. We will consider the information provided and review the analysis.
More information
You can register as a stakeholder to receive regular updates on these reviews.
For further information, contact us on 1800 900 090 or send us an inquiry.