Plant health diagnostic services

Our role

The Plant Health Diagnostic Service (PHDS) plays a critical role in safeguarding the multi-billion-dollar food industries and environment of New South Wales against emerging plant pest and disease threats. Our plant pathologists and entomologists have strong expertise identifying pests and diseases affecting a broad range of horticultural and broadacre food crop, ornamental, and native plant species. With our purpose-built laboratories and modern facilities at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) we offer comprehensive diagnostic services in the following areas:

• crop, amenity and native plant pest (insect and mite) and disease identification
• soil-borne plant pathogen detection and identification
• import and export plant commodity testing for exotic/regulated pathogens
• pathogen testing for evidence of absence (area freedom certification)
• in-crop inspections for evidence of pest and disease absence and export
• assessment of samples collected for monitoring pests and diseases
• suspect exotic (new) pest and disease testing

We hold accreditations through the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) and Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), meaning our activities are quality assured and biosecurity compliant.

PHDS works with plant pest and disease researchers based at EMAI and regional DPIRD institutes to develop specialist expertise and foster a community of practice for solving complex diagnostic problems. We have access to Australia’s oldest collection of agricultural pests and diseases housed in The Biosecurity Collections based at Orange Agricultural Institute (OAI). Together these resources form the Plant Biosecurity Diagnostics and Research Unit.

Emergency response

Diagnostic capability and capacity are critical for responding effectively and efficiently to exotic (new) pest and disease incursions; the laboratories are required to be 'response-ready' and able to cope with surges in testing.

To combat emerging biosecurity threats, we continually seek to improve our capability and capacity by updating our knowledge, upgrading technology, and developing new tests. New and improved tests are developed and validated in accordance with our quality assurance and biosecurity requirements.

Suspect exotic pests and diseases can be reported via the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

Diagnostics on a national scale

As part of our commitment to improvement and quality assurance, the PHDS participates in proficiency testing through the Australian National Quality Assurance Program (ANQAP) and arrangements with other state laboratories.

Our pathologists and entomologists are members of the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network (NPBDN) and represent NSW on the Plant Health Australia (PHA) Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostics (SPHD).