Victoria is facing an increasing risk of exotic animal or plant disease outbreaks or pest incursions. Key drivers of risk include the increased movement of people, goods and vessels into Victoria, climate change, criminal activities such as international smuggling, and changes to land use and industry practices. These factors are causing significant increases in the size, scale, complexity and frequency of biosecurity threats.

Recent outbreaks that Victoria has dealt with include Avian Influenza and Japanese encephalitis. There is currently an emerging threat from a range of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease.

Effective biosecurity is essential to the ongoing health of Victoria’s agricultural production, community, economy and environment.

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Publish year Assurance activity Summary Organisation
2022 Human Biosecurity for International Air Travellers during COVID-19 (External link) An audit conducted to provide assurance that human biosecurity for international air travellers has been managed effectively, the Auditor-General made six recommendations to improve governance arrangements and ensure that departmental systems for traveller processing adequately support human health outcomes. Australian National Audit Office
2022 Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030: Action Plan 2022 (External link) Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030 outlines how the Australian government will progress changes and reforms to ensure a risk-based biosecurity system that effectively, efficiently and sustainably protects Australia’s agriculture, environment and social amenity from current and future threats. This Action Plan 2022 is the first yearly action plan and outlines the priority activities for 2022 and an overview of work undertaken the previous year. Australian Government
2021 Shaping Victoria’s Biosecurity Future Workshop ‘What was said’ Report (External link) The Shaping Victoria’s Biosecurity Future workshop held on 17 and 18 June 2021 brought together experts from industry, community and government to identify opportunities to strengthen Victoria’s biosecurity system. The ‘What was said’ Report shares insights from the conversations held during the workshop. Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions