Biosecurity protects Australia’s environment, agriculture, economy and communities from pests and diseases.
The system is under increasing pressure from uncertain trade and traveller movement, rising costs and complexity in managing biosecurity risks, and changing economic, environmental and geopolitical conditions.
Australia’s Agriculture Ministers have agreed that the National Biosecurity Committee will develop and consult on national reforms to address the strategic risks to the system. Australia’s Agriculture Ministers released a joint statement on the reforms on 30 April 2026.
The proposed national reforms focus on strengthening Australian’s biosecurity system. They build on progress already underway through the National Biosecurity Strategy (NBS) 2022–2032.
This work underway in 2026 will:
- continue to deliver actions in the 2024-26 NBS Action Plan
- make national biosecurity governance advisory groups more effective
- improve readiness for emergencies including by creating a national preparedness framework
- streamline emergency arrangements governance
- update national research and innovation priorities
- develop a national investment priorities framework to align funding and resources with risk.
Consultation
We have consulted with a wide range of stakeholders on proposed medium and long-term reforms through meetings and written submissions responding to a discussion paper that was released in April 2026.
We met with and heard from a broad range of stakeholders, including industry, producers, state and territory governments, researchers, environmental and community organisations, First Nations representatives, and other delivery partners across the biosecurity system.
A summary of feedback and submissions will be published on National Biosecurity Reform Have Your Say page.
Feedback from this consultation is informing the development of a reform roadmap for consideration by Agriculture Ministers later this year. The roadmap will help set clear national priorities, strengthen coordination across governments and stakeholders, and guide future action to improve the national biosecurity system.
Once the roadmap is delivered, we will continue consultation on individual projects as required throughout the delivery of the reforms.