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 tasked the National Biosecurity Committee with developing and consulting 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.
Have your say
Consultation on the reforms is underway.
To find out more and to get involved, visit the National Biosecurity Reform Have Your Say page or email BiosecurityReform@aff.gov.au for more information.