Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Minister
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Plant health
    • Drought and rural support
    • Mouse infestation advice
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade Lowering biosecurity risks to Australia, and assisting industry to accelerate growth towards a $100 billion agricultural sector by 2030.
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Plant Innovation Centre
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Budget 2023-24

    Budget 2023-24

    The 2023–24 Portfolio Budget Statements were released on 9 May 2023.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Biosecurity
  4. Biosecurity risk analysis
  5. Weed assessments
  6. The Weed Risk Assessment process

Sidebar first - Biosecurity

  • Weed assessments
    • Development of the Weed Risk Assessment system
    • Weed risk assessments frequently asked questions
    • Reasons for the Weed Risk Assessment system
    • The Weed Risk Assessment process
      • Weed Risk Assessment system

The Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) process

The Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) process is a science-based biosecurity risk analysis tool for determining the weed potential of proposed new plant imports.

The department conducts WRAs on all new plant species proposed for introduction into Australia as seeds, tissue culture or any other material for propagation. WRAs are usually done at the species level but sub-specific taxa or hybrids are also occasionally assessed.

The WRA process is a three-tiered system that involves the importer and the department.

Tier 1: determine status in Australia

The first step involves validating the taxonomic name of the plant proposed for introduction. Importers can begin the process by checking the biosecurity import conditions (BICON) system for the plant proposed for introduction. If the species is not listed as either permitted subject to import conditions or prohibited on BICON, the importer must complete a New plant introduction form and submit it to the department.

The department then completes Tier 1 by determining whether the plant is:

  • not present in Australia
  • present in Australia but under official control or
  • present in Australia and not under official control.

Tier 2: conduct a weed risk assessment

If the plant is not present in Australia, the species advances to tier 2 and a Weed Risk Assessment is conducted by the department.

Tier 3: Post-entry evaluation

If the species falls into the ‘further evaluate’ category following a Weed Risk Assessment, importers are given the opportunity to provide more information for re-assessment of the species or continue to Tier 3 – post-entry evaluation.

History

The WRA process was adopted in 1997, following consultation with government agencies, nursery and seed industry associations, state noxious weed agencies, private importers, public and private sector scientists and weed experts from around the world.

The Department of the Environment was involved in developing the system and accepts the outcomes in its legislation (the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).

In developing biosecurity policies for the importation of plants and plant products, the department complies with Australia's rights and obligations as a signatory to the World Trade Organisation, under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), and the International Plant Protection Convention.​

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern

Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI
Last updated: 04 November 2019

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.