Biosecurity
Report it by emailing ACTbiosecurity@act.gov.au or by calling the emergency animal disease hotline on 1800 675 888 (open 24 hours).
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.
New biosecurity laws
The ACT Government is implementing new biosecurity laws to help protect Canberra’s environment, industries and community from biosecurity risks.
The Biosecurity Act 2023 aims to:
- manage biosecurity risks
- promote biosecurity as a shared responsibility between government, industry and the community
- provide a flexible and responsive framework for the effective management of pests, diseases and other biosecurity matters that may have an adverse effect on the environment, the economy or the community
- provide a framework for risk-based decision-making in relation to biosecurity
- give effect to intergovernmental biosecurity agreements
- facilitate trade by ensuring that biosecurity requirements in other states are met.
To support a smooth transition to the new Act, the Biosecurity Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 was introduced in early 2024.
ACT Biosecurity Strategy
Managing biosecurity risks is very important for reducing the effects of weeds, pest animals, and diseases that affect plants and animals. These issues can harm our economy, environment, and community. The ACT Biosecurity Strategy highlights how important biosecurity is for the ACT and lays out the goals and actions needed to tackle these problems.