Our biosecurity system

Livestock like sheep, cattle, and goats are one of Australia’s biggest exports. People around the world trust Australian animals to be safe and healthy – and that’s because of our strong biosecurity measures.
One major threat is Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). It spreads quickly and causes painful blisters in animals. An outbreak would hurt animals, farmers, and the economy.
That’s why:

• biosecurity officers inspect airports, ports, and mail
• the Government works with other countries to stop diseases before they reach us
• travellers are told what they can and can’t bring into Australia
• farmers monitor animals and limit who can access their properties.

Want to see biosecurity in action? Check out this video from Biosecurity Queensland, where they speak with an Australian cattle company about how they are putting biosecurity measures into practice, and why it’s crucial for protecting their animals and their business.

Australia grows everything from mangoes to macadamias, and we want to keep it that way. But plant pests and diseases can ruin entire crops.

Some pests are tiny and hard to see. Some diseases hide inside plants until it’s too late. That’s why prevention is key.

Unlike animals, plants can’t be vaccinated. So farmers and experts use smart biosecurity strategies like:

• regular crop checks
• limiting farm access
• cleaning tools and equipment between uses.

If pests and diseases spread, food becomes harder to grow, more expensive, and lower in quality. Protecting plants means protecting food for everyone.

Explore how plant pests and diseases can harm crops:

If you are curious about how biosecurity works in horticulture, check out this video from Biosecurity Queensland. It shows how growers are using smart, science-based strategies to protect their crops – and why their work is so important for all of us.

When you think of an Australian summer, there is a good chance prawns come to mind. But have you ever thought about where they actually come from?

Seafood is a big part of what Australia produces. Prawns, fish, and crabs are grown on farms called aquaculture. But pests and diseases can spread quickly in water and threaten entire farms.

One major threat is White spot disease, a virus that affects prawns and other crustaceans. It doesn’t harm humans, but it can:

• cause white spots on shells
• stop prawns from eating or moving
• kill large numbers in a short time.

That’s why seafood farmers use strong biosecurity practices to keep their animals healthy:

• checking water quality often
• monitoring for signs of disease
• controlling who and what enters the farm
• cleaning and disinfecting equipment.

An outbreak of White Spot Disease can destroy whole prawn farms, interrupting seafood supplies and creating serious challenges for the businesses and workers who depend on aquaculture to make a living.

To stop this from happening, prawn farmers in Australia follow strict biosecurity rules on their farms. They regularly check water quality, watch for signs of disease, clean equipment, and limit who and what can enter their farming areas. These actions help keep aquatic animals healthy and protect our seafood industry.

Want to see how this works in real life? Watch the video below, where Biosecurity Queensland interviews an Australian prawn company about how they use biosecurity to protect their farm and why it matters so much to them.