National Biosecurity Committee

The National Biosecurity Committee in consultation with key stakeholders has developed a National Biosecurity Strategy to provide a strategic direction for Australia’s biosecurity system.

 

The National Biosecurity Committee (NBC) was formed on 1 July 2008 as a ministerial advisory committee to provide strategic leadership in managing national approaches to emerging and ongoing biosecurity policy issues across jurisdictions and sectors.

In 2012, the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB) authorised the NBC to provide the strategic management and oversight of the national biosecurity system and intergovernmental relationships, and the operation of the Agreement.

The NBC provides information and advice on progress implementing the IGAB to the Agriculture Senior Officials Committee (AGSOC) and the Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting (AMM)

NBC membership

The NBC is co-chaired by the Deputy Secretary responsible for Biosecurity at the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and a state or territory NBC member.

Membership comprises of senior officials from the Australian, state and territory primary industry and/or environment agencies, as well as New Zealand. Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia are observers.

  • Co-chair: Justine Saunders, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  • Co-chair:  Rachel Chay, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Primary Industries
  • Commonwealth: Dr Peter Finnin, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  • Australian Capital Territory: Bren Burkevics, City and Environment Directorate 
  • New South Wales:  Lisa Szabo, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Northern Territory: Lorraine Corowa, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
  • Queensland: Rachel Chay, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Primary Industries
  • Tasmania: Rae Burrows, Department of Natural Resources and Environment
  • South Australia: Georgie Cornish, Department of Primary Industries and Regions
  • Victoria: Charlotte Austin, Agriculture Victoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
  • Western Australia: Mia Carbon, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • New Zealand: Stuart Anderson, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries
  • Observer: Samantha Allan, Animal Health Australia
  • Observer: Sarah Corcoran, Plant Health Australia

NBC sectoral committees and expert groups

The NBC is supported by six sectoral committees and a biosecurity and agricultural emergency network.

  • Animal Health Committee
  • Plant Health Committee
  • Marine Pest Sectoral Committee
  • National Biosecurity Communication and Engagement Network
  • Environment and Invasives Committee
  • National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Committee
  • Biosecurity and Agricultural Emergency Network

These provide policy, technical and scientific advice on matters affecting their sector, covering all pests and disease risks to the terrestrial and aquatic (inland water and marine) animals and plants, and the environment.

From time to time, the NBC forms expert groups and short-term task specific groups to provide advice and deliver key initiatives.

NBC Governance

Key documents relating to NBC’s governance arrangements, strategic priorities and planned activities are listed below:

NBC Annual Report 2025

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NBC 3-year rolling workplan

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NBC Terms of Reference

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NBC communiqués

Key issues considered at previous NBC meetings are outlined in the communiqués listed below.

Previous communiques

​Contact

For any enquiries about NBC please contact the NBC secretariat nbc@aff.gov.au