Australia’s National Biosecurity Strategy identifies a highly skilled workforce as a priority to protect the nation’s environment, agriculture and economy. However, the roles that contribute to Australia’s biosecurity system are dispersed across industries, without a central source that creates full picture.
This project will deliver a national, cross‑sector review of the roles, skills and training pathways that underpin Australia’s biosecurity system. It will clarify current workforce capability, identify skills gaps and highlight future skills needs.
Scope and design
This project will map the skills required to support Australia’s environmental biosecurity, including skills for the prevention, detection and response to existing and exotic pests, diseases and weeds.
Through consultation and research, the project will identify:
Consultation approach
Research and consultation will inform a Biosecurity Skills Review Report, providing a comprehensive evidence base and practical recommendations to support implementation of the National Biosecurity Strategy. To capture the cross-industry skills required, this project is being undertaken in partnership with Public Skills Australia, with contributions from ForestWorks and MINTRAC. Government departments and bodies are also engaged, including the National Biosecurity Implementation Committee; the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, New South Wales; and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia.
An advisory committee will guide consultation and research, ensuring direct input from:
To take part, or suggest an organisation we should engage with, please contact Ismat El Samad at [email protected]
Timeline
Skills Review questionnaire
Participate in our biosecurity survey and share your
valuable insights and perspectives.
Survey closes Friday 16 October 2026
The survey explores the following key facets:
Provide leadership, coordinate shared responsibility, clarify roles, and maintain system coherence across jurisdictions and stakeholders.
Identify emerging risks, anticipate pathways and impacts, and inform prevention and preparedness priorities
Reduce the likelihood of entry, emergence, establishment and spread by acting early and upstream, including through international collaboration and offshore activities.
Intercept and manage risks at the national border and high-risk entry pathways through regulatory screening, inspection, quarantine and treatment arrangements.
Provide ongoing monitoring of land and waters, detect incursions early, and support proof-of-freedom and ongoing management.
Provide accurate identification and confirmation of pests, weeds and diseases; support response decisions; and underpin proof-of-freedom.
Ensure the system can mobilise efficiently and consistently during an outbreak or incursion, build surge capacity, and train and exercise stakeholders.
Manage response and initial recovery operations through a consistent incident management approach applicable across sectors and scales.
Manage biosecurity within Australia’s borders, including enforcement, regulatory interventions, emergency responses and domestic trade facilitation.
Restore systems after incidents, confirm eradication success where relevant, or transition to ongoing management for established or non-eradicable threats.
Project team
Ismat El Samad
Executive Manager Projects
Skills Insight
[email protected]
Michelle Ingley-Smith
Stakeholder Engagement Manager
Skills Insight
[email protected]
Geoff Barbaro
Executive Manager Industry Skills Policy
Skills Insight
[email protected]
