Northern Australia’s vast, sparsely populated 10,000 kilometre coastline is the frontline for many high-risk animal and plant pests and diseases—particularly Torres Strait, whose northern islands are only a few kilometres from Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Biosecurity risks can reach Australia through the movement of people and goods by sea and air, through traditional trade between PNG and Torres Strait, and by natural pathways such as wind, tide and animal migration.
What to look for
Examples of biosecurity concerns include, but are not limited to:
- large numbers of sick or dying birds
- wild, domestic or farmed animals behaving in unusual ways
- mass die-off of plants, or sickness in plants
How to report a pest, weed or disease in Northern Australia
If you live in, work in, or are visiting northern Australia and see any Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy target pests, weeds or diseases, you can report it by:
- submitting the Report a pest, weed or disease in northern Australia online form
- calling the department on 1800 900 090
Report any signs of disease or unusual behaviour in animals to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Report plant or honey bee pests and diseases (including new weeds) phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
If possible:
- take photographs of the animal or plant from different angles
- take photographs of the immediate area surrounding the pest, weed or disease
- take a GPS location of where you have observed the pest, weed or disease and record it
Specially trained departmental officers will respond to all reports of biosecurity concerns.
Help us maintain Australia's freedom from exotic and invasive pests, weeds and diseases.
Launch Report a pest, weed or disease in northern Australia online form
