Biosecurity Act 2015

Biosecurity Act 2015 is an Australian law that was enacted to manage biosecurity risks that could harm Australia's economy, environment and human health. The Act replaced the Quarantine Act 1908, providing a modern, flexible and responsive system. It is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.

Overview

The Biosecurity Act 2015 provides the legal framework for the Australian Government to manage biosecurity risks. The Act is designed to be flexible and responsive to changes in technology and future biosecurity challenges. It provides powers to manage biosecurity risks associated with goods, people and conveyances entering Australia.

Key Provisions

The Act includes provisions for managing biosecurity risks associated with:

• The movement of people and goods into and out of Australia
• The handling and treatment of goods that are subject to biosecurity control
• The management of pests and diseases of animals and plants
• The regulation of certain types of technology that could pose biosecurity risks

Biosecurity Risk

A biosecurity risk is defined in the Act as the likelihood of a disease or pest entering, establishing or spreading in Australia, and the consequences of that happening. The Act provides for the management of biosecurity risks at their source, along the pathway, and at the border.

Enforcement

The Act provides for a range of enforcement options, including civil penalties, criminal sanctions, and administrative sanctions. It also provides powers for the Australian Border Force and other authorised officers to manage biosecurity risks.

Impact

The Biosecurity Act 2015 has had a significant impact on the way biosecurity risks are managed in Australia. It has provided a more modern and flexible framework for managing biosecurity risks, and has helped to protect Australia's economy, environment and human health from the impacts of pests and diseases.