Sustainable biosecurity funding

Strengthening our biosecurity system

Sustainable biosecurity funding supports the national biosecurity system including stronger biosecurity policy and operational and technical functions on a sustainable basis, including for the Indigenous Biosecurity Ranger Program in Northern Australia. It also supports digital modernisation of biosecurity processing in cargo pathways via implementation of streamlined digital systems through the Simplified Targeting and Enhanced Processing System (STEPS) program for more efficient and effective clearances.

The Australian Government has introduced a broad-based funding model that maximises available funding for biosecurity to protect and grow Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries. This is the first time Australia has had sustainable and predictable funding.

The model, as announced in the 2023-24 Budget, includes more than $1 billion over four years, and $267 million per year ongoing from 2027-28. The Budget package also includes:

• greater transparency and accountability of Commonwealth biosecurity funding and expenditure
• a new low value import biosecurity clearance charge from 1 October 2024
• introduction of a proposed Biosecurity Protection Levy
• a more cost reflective arrangement with Australia Post

In addition to more money for biosecurity, the Budget also delivered structural reform to biosecurity funding including returning importers to full cost recovery. In 2023, the department reviewed biosecurity cost recovery arrangements for the first time since 2015 – and subsequently increased fees and charges for importers by 28 per cent on average. Their contribution will be almost $100 million more in 2024- 25 compared to 2021-22. The department has also committed to an annual review of regulatory charges and made changes to legislation to include indexation.

Transparency and accountability

Biosecurity funding and expenditure reporting

A new Commonwealth Biosecurity Funding and Expenditure Report will be released annually, with the first report planned for release in the second half of 2024. The new report will provide greater transparency of how the department works to achieve national biosecurity priorities. The report will provide transparency and accountability of the department’s biosecurity funding and expenditure to external stakeholders and demonstrate how the department is achieving biosecurity outcomes through effective and efficient use of funding.

Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel

On 28 February 2024, the Government announced it would extend its commitment to greater transparency and accountability through a new Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel. The work of the Advisory Panel will build closer collaboration between government and key stakeholders, with regular meetings to share insights, discuss biosecurity funding priorities and explain spending decisions. Membership of the Advisory Panel is drawn from major agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors, importers, and environmental and research organisations.

Further details on Advisory Panel arrangements, including membership and key documents are available on the Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel webpage.

Biosecurity cost recovery arrangements for low value goods

From 1 October 2024, a new cost recovery charge will be introduced for goods valued up to $1,000 that are imported by air or sea. The charge will cover the cost of biosecurity not currently subject to cost recovery. Prior to this date, taxpayers were covering this cost. Please visit the Self-assessed clearances costs recovery page for more details.

Proposed Biosecurity Protection Levy

The Government announced a proposed new Biosecurity Protection Levy on domestically produced agriculture, fisheries and forestry products to commence from 1 July 2024. Further details on this proposal are available on the Biosecurity Protection Levy page.

Further information

• Proposed Biosecurity Protection Levy
• Biosecurity cost recovery
• Previous proposal: Onshore Biosecurity Levy (2018-19)
• Minister’s media release on new Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel

Fact sheets

Contact us

To find out more about Sustainable Biosecurity Funding, email: secretariatbsf@aff.gov.au