Biosecurity

Have you seen something you think is a biosecurity issue?

Report it by emailing ACTbiosecurity@act.gov.au or by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888or the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

Last updated: 3 January 2025

Avian Influenza The last detection of H7 Avian influenza (or bird flu) in the ACT was in early July 2024. H5 Avian influenza has not been detected in Australia.

Last updated: 4 April 2025

Varroa Mite Varroa mite has been detected in a beekeeper's hives on a property in the Kowen district of the ACT. This is the first time Varroa mite has been detected in the ACT. Varroa mites do not pose a risk to human health or food safety.

Biosecurity

Biosecurity means keeping our environment, economy and community safe from harmful pests, diseases and weeds.

The ACT Government leads the biosecurity effort in the ACT alongside other government agencies, the community and industry.

Everyone has a role to play in keeping the ACT safe. Here’s how you can help:

Take steps to prevent pests, diseases and weeds from entering the ACT and spreading to new areas.
Help with response activities if there is a pest or disease emergency.
Tell ACT Biosecurity if you see anything strange by emailing ACTBiosecurity@act.gov.au or calling 02 6207 3587.

Biosecurity legislation

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry administers Australian Government biosecurity laws. These laws:

protect Australia's animals, plants and human health
keep markets open for Australian food and other agricultural exports.

The ACT’s biosecurity legislation is the Biosecurity Act 2023. This Act aims to:

manage biosecurity risks
promote biosecurity as a shared responsibility
provide a flexible framework for the management of pests, diseases and other biosecurity matters that may impact the environment, economy or the community.
provide a framework for risk-based decision-making in relation to biosecurity
put into practice intergovernmental biosecurity agreements
facilitate trade by ensuring that biosecurity requirements in other states are met.

General biosecurity duty

The Biosecurity Act 2023 introduces a new legal obligation called the general biosecurity duty. It identifies that biosecurity is a shared responsibility and highlights the need for government, industry and the community to work together to manage biosecurity risks.

Everyone in the ACT must report biosecurity issues or concerns when they are identified.

There are multiple biosecurity matters that are notifiable under the Biosecurity (Notifiable and Prohibited Biosecurity Matter) Declaration 2025.

If you notice anything unusual or something that might be considered a biosecurity threat, report it by:

calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888
calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881
emailing ACT Biosecurity on ACTBiosecurity@act.gov.au or calling 02 6207 3587.

Biosecurity permits and registrations

You may need a biosecurity permit if you plan to do something that is usually not allowed. This includes:

dealing with banned biosecurity materials
doing a banned activity
not following an emergency rule.

‘Dealing with’ includes a wide range of activities, including to keep, grow, move, supply or create biosecurity matter.

You may also need a biosecurity registration for certain activities like:

beekeeping
operating a goat depot
dealing with vaccines that contain a biosecurity matter.

To apply for a permit or registration, call ACT Biosecurity on 02 6207 3587 or email ACTBiosecurity@act.gov.au

Biosecurity control declarations

The Minister may make a control declaration to manage a biosecurity threat.

There are currently three control declarations in place, including:

If you are required to provide information to Access Canberra under a biosecurity control declaration, email ACTBiosecurity@act.gov.au.

ACT Biosecurity Strategy

Managing biosecurity risks is important to reduce the effects of weeds, pests, and diseases that harm plants and animals. The ACT Biosecurity Strategy explains how important biosecurity is for the ACT and shows the steps needed to respond to biosecurity matters.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry administers Australian Government biosecurity legislation to protect Australia's animal, plant and human health status and to maintain market access for Australian food and other agricultural exports.