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)
The 2024 independent review of the IGAB is underway and will provide a review report to Commonwealth, state and territory Ministers responsible for biosecurity matters on findings and any recommendations for improvement.
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: Christie Sawczuk, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Australian Capital Territory: Bren Burkevics Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate
New South Wales: Lisa Szabo and Rachel Connell, 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: Sharyn Williams, 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 communiqués
Key issues considered at previous NBC meetings are outlined in the communiqués listed below.
- NBC Meeting 42 – 19-20 March 2025
- NBC Meeting 37 – 28-29 September 2022
- NBC Meeting 35 - 11-12 November 2021
- NBC Meeting 33 and Strategic Workshop 20 – 16-18 September 2020
- NBC Meeting 32 and Strategic Workshop 19 – 11-12 March 2020
- NBC Meeting 31 and Strategic Workshop 18 – 24-25 September 2019
- NBC Meeting 30 and Strategic Workshop 17 – 26-27 March 2019
- NBC Meeting 29 and Strategic Workshop 16 – 31 October - 1 November 2018
- NBC Meeting 28 and Strategic Workshop 15 – 27-28 June 2018
- NBC Meeting 27 and Strategic Workshop 14 – 14-15 February 2018
- NBC Meeting 26 and Strategic Workshop 13 – 4-5 October 2017
- NBC Meeting 25 and Strategic Workshop 11 - 7-8 June 2017
- NBC Meeting 24 and Strategic Workshop 10 - 15-16 February 2017
- NBC Meeting 23 and Strategic Workshop 9 - 6 October 2016
- NBC Meeting 22 and Strategic Workshop 8 – 13-14 July 2016
- NBC Meeting 21 and Strategic Workshop 7 – 20-21 April 2016
- NBC Strategic Workshop 5 November 2015
- NBC Meeting 20 - 13 August 2015
- NBC Strategic Workshop 14-15 May 2015
- NBC Meeting 19 - 6 March 2015
- NBC Meeting 18 - 7 August 2014
- NBC Meeting 17 - 28 February 2014
- NBC Meeting 16 - 8 August 2013
- NBC Meeting 15 - 26 February 2013
- NBC Meeting 14 - 2 August 2012
Contact
For any enquiries about NBC please contact the NBC secretariat nbc@aff.gov.au