Biosecurity - Protect your animals and plants from pests and disease
Watch our biosecurity videos!
This series of videos show the simple things you can do to protect
your property from pests and diseases.
The 2007 equine influenza (horse flu) outbreak in Australia was a timely reminder of why biosecurity is both beneficial and necessary. Regardless of whether you own a large or small property, you are responsible for keeping your animals, plants and crops free from weeds, pests and disease.
This page provides vital biosecurity information for small and large rural landholders, regardless of your farming interests. It provides a simple explanation of what biosecurity is and how to keep weeds, pests and disease off your property. There is also specific information available for where you live.
What is biosecurity?
‘Biosecurity’ is protecting the economy, environment and people’s health from pests and disease. It includes trying to prevent new pests and diseases from arriving, and helping to control outbreaks when they do occur. While robust response arrangements are in place to combat outbreaks, preventing pest and disease incursions in the first place, remains a national priority.
How can I protect my property from pests and diseases?
Having good biosecurity measures in place is the key to avoiding pest and disease incursions on your property. Implementing biosecurity measures doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. Use the links below to access biosecurity information that is relevant to your farming interests.
Animal Biosecurity
Horses and donkeys
Birds and poultry
Alpacas and llamas
Plant Biosecurity
Biosecurity and farmers' markets
Biosecurity Videos
A series of six videos showing the simple things you can do to protect your property from pests and diseases.
Visitors and Travelling Farm Workers
On-farm service providers
Biosecurity and workers on your farm
Biosecurity for travelling farm workers (itinerant workers including fruit pickers, backpackers and grey nomads)
Outbreaks
Report a new weed, plant pest or disease
Report an animal disease
Australia's pest and disease Outbreak website
Further information
Biosecurity in your state or territory
Links to animal and plant industry organisations
www.farmbiosecurity.com.au
AusBIOSEC - Australia's biosecurity framework
Research into peri-urban farming
Engaging in Biosecurity in Horticultural Regions project
Biosecurity and Small Rural Landholders in Peri-urban Australia
Bureau of Rural Sciences 2007
Biosecurity awareness and peri-urban landholders: a case study approach
Bureau of Rural Sciences 2005
Stay up-to-date on biosecurity
To receive free biosecurity news and updates tick the 'On-farm biosecurity' box on the DAFF free subscription page.
Free biosecurity awareness materials
General
- 'Vital information for small rural landholders' brochure
(a summary of the information contained on these biosecurity pages) - Small rural landholder postcards
PDF [556kb]
Livestock and Birds
- Don't put this farm at risk! A2 biosecurity poster PDF [240kb]
- Report animal pests and disease office poster PDF [205kb]
- Feed scoop for bird owners
- Fridge magnet for bird owners
Plants and Cropping
- Vital information for plant producers PDF [276kb]
- Vital information for travelling farm workers PDF [266kb]
- Don't put this farm at risk! A2 biosecurity poster PDF [199kb]
- Report plant pests and disease office poster PDF [205kb]
These awareness materials can be mailed to you. Please send us an email with your name, postal address, and tell us what product you would like and the quantities required.
Note: The 'Report animal pests and disease' and the 'Report plant pests and disease' office posters are only available as web downloads.
If you are requesting fridge magnets, 'Don't put this farm at risk!' A2 size posters or feed scoops, you will need to provide us with a street delivery address. We cannot send these items to post boxes. Minimum order may be applicable.