Protecting what we love

Australia’s natural environment is unlike any other

Ancient mountain ranges. Sweeping outback plains. Mighty rivers. Pristine coastlines. Australia is known the world over for our wide-open spaces, national parks, beautiful beaches, incredible wildlife and fresh air. These things make us unique.

Our rich and delicate biodiversity is made up of more than 600,000 organisms, and many are not found anywhere else on earth. These irreplaceable environmental assets underpin our $90 billion agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries, and the international trade that comes from them. 

They also provide our food, enhance our health, and allow our economy to prosper.

In fact, you could say that our way of life depends on our incredible land, sea and aquatic environments.

But these spectacular spaces and even our own backyards are at risk from invasive species.

Our native flora and fauna are iconic

We are home to so many incredible creatures found nowhere else on earth. Our unique flora and fauna evolved in isolation, surviving and flourishing because of the delicate, intricate relationships in our natural ecosystems.

These plants and animals are synonymous with Australia. We use many of them on emblems and name sporting teams after them because they represent our culture and heritage. People come from all over the planet to marvel at them. In the year ending June 2024, our $60 billion tourism sector showcased these amazing plants and animals to over 7.4 million international visitors.

But many of these species are under threat. Since European settlement around 100 native species have become extinct, largely due to the impact of invasive species. Invasive species out-compete and prey on native ones. They also destroy habitats, changing the balance of biodiversity and the landscapes we love.

Protecting the great Aussie outdoors

By protecting our iconic plants and animals, environmental biosecurity also protects the outdoorsy way of life we love.

Some exotic pests, if they became widespread, could stop us from enjoying the simple pleasures we take for granted, like going barefoot in the backyard, or having a BBQ picnic in the park, or kicking the footy around on the local oval.

Invasive species are non-native animals, plants and diseases that, if they were to establish here, would cause significant damage to our native animals, plants and eco-systems.

Dr Bertie Hennecke, Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer

How invasive species enter Australia

Australia is an island continent, surrounded by a vast ocean, so it’s difficult for invasive species to reach our shores of their own accord.

Some of the invasive species that do the most damage are animals that were brought here deliberately many years ago, before the term environmental biosecurity even existed. For instance, feral deer, foxes, rabbits and European carp were introduced by humans. Now, these have become established environmental pests.

These days, there are so many ways these pests can enter.

Pressure on the border is increasing

On average, each year Australia receives:

These numbers are predicted to steadily rise.

In addition, global pressures such as climate change, pollution and land degradation are increasing the movement of invasive species around the world, altering their predicted pathways. Australia can expect to face a new array of invasive species as these impacts continue.

Keeping exotic pests out

We work hard to keep exotic invasive species out of Australia. This protects our unique eco-systems, amazing plants and animals and our way of life. It also allows agricultural industries to be thriving and productive.

Our biosecurity system is a continuum. This means we work to keep pests out before they get to our shores, at the border and within Australia.

How we keep pests out

• We work with neighbouring countries to enhance their biosecurity practices.
• We prepare for the potential incursions of invasive species not yet in Australia, so we are ready to respond as needed.
• We have strong biosecurity measures at the border, including inspections and stiff penalties for doing the wrong thing.
• We engage in surveillance so we can detect pests as soon as they arrive.
• We partner with First Nations people, whose connection to Country and stewardship of natural resources has helped to protect Australia for thousands of years.
• We collaborate with biosecurity leaders in government, industry and the community.
• We make sure that our policy decisions are underpinned by the best available science.

But environmental biosecurity is everyone’s business

Everyone, at every level, plays a role. 

For example, states and territories take the lead during a biosecurity outbreak within their borders. They are also responsible for enforcing domestic regulations. 

Industry groups and environmental organisations help with coordination, capacity building and foster biosecurity awareness.

Research organisations equip us with the best available science. Citizen scientists collect data, helping us detect pests within our borders.

You can help too

When you are hiking, diving, camping, gardening or doing anything outdoors, look out for invasive species. If you spot something unusual report it.

Always follow biosecurity guidelines when travelling or shopping online.

Together, let’s make sure Australia’s unique environment--the plants, animals and eco-systems that we love--is available for future generations, too.

See how to protect Australia from invasive pests

See more on environmental biosecurity

Credits

• April Noble, Antweb.org, Bugwood.org
• Arthur Mostead
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Geoff Pegg, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland
• Lauren Hemara
• Michael Masters
• National Fire Ant Eradication Program