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Biosecurity legislation, strategy and control declarations

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry looks after Australia’s biosecurity laws. These laws help to:

  • protect our animals, plants and people from pests and diseases
  • keep overseas markets open for Australian food and farm products.

In the ACT, the main law is the Biosecurity Act 2023 and Biosecurity Regulation 2025. This Act and Regulation aim to:

  • manage biosecurity risks
  • make biosecurity everyone’s responsibility
  • provide flexible ways to deal with pests, diseases and other risks that could affect our environment, economy or community.
  • support good decision making about biosecurity risks
  • put national biosecurity arrangements into action
  • support trade by making sure ACT’s laws line up with other states.

The Act brings together and updates older laws into one system. This makes it easier to manage pests, diseases and other biosecurity risks. It also links the ACT with Australia’s wider national biosecurity system, so we can work together to protect our community, environment and economy.

Key parts of the Biosecurity Act 2023

  • Shared responsibility: everyone has a duty in reducing biosecurity risks.
  • Reporting requirements: you must report certain pests, diseases or risks to authorities.
  • Prohibited dealings: there are strict rules about dealing with things that pose serious biosecurity risks.
  • Emergency response: quick action can be taken in a biosecurity emergency.
  • Permits and registrations: some activities need permits or registrations, with clear steps for applying, renewing, or cancelling.
  • Compliance and enforcement: The Act includes fines and penalties to help keep the system fair and effective.

Why was it introduced?

  • To update and simplify biosecurity legislation so it is flexible and able to respond to new risks, new pests and more movement of people and goods.
  • To make sure the ACT’s biosecurity system works well with NSW and the rest of Australia.
  • To provide a fair and effective system that protects our environment, economy and community.

Reporting

If you notice something unusual that could be a biosecurity threat, report it by:

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.

Biosecurity control declarations

The Minister may make a control declaration under the Biosecurity Act 2023 to manage a biosecurity threat.

Current control declarations: