Biosecurity Amendment Miscellaneous Regulation 2025 | Department of Primary Industries

Legislation	Regulation	Section/Clause	Amendment	What this means
Biosecurity Act 2015	Prohibited matter	[1] Schedule 2, Part 1	Omit the following from Part 1 under the heading “Pests and Diseases of Plants”— Cryptotermes brevis (West Indian drywood termite ) Pyricularia oryzae Rice blast Phyllosticta spp. (except Phyllosticta maculata) Banana freckle Phyllosticta cavendishii Banana freckle	A 2023 Technical Feasibility of Eradication assessment for West Indian drywood termites (Cryptotermes brevis) in NSW established that the species is no longer considered technically feasible to eradicate in NSW. The species has been removed from the prohibited matter list and will be regulated under the General Biosecurity Duty. Resources and guidance will be provided to support effective management. See advice below for Pyricularia oryzae Rice blast. The general listing for Phyllosticta spp. (except Phyllosticta maculata) has been removed from the prohibited matter list. A more specific listing, Phyllosticta cavendishii (the species known to cause banana freckle in Cavendish bananas) has been included as prohibited matter. If a person suspects or detects the presence of prohibited matter, they must report it immediately to the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). Also, a person must not deal with prohibited matter, including (but not limited to) to keep, move, possess, control, produce, supply, buy, or sell, the prohibited matter.
Biosecurity Act 2015	Prohibited matter	[2] Schedule 2, Part 1	Omit the following from under the heading “Pests and Diseases of Animals”— Varroa destructor Varroa mite Insert in alphabetical order— Mycobacterium caprae Mycobacterium tuberculosis Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV )	Varroa destructor (Varroa mite) has been removed from the prohibited matter list because it is present in NSW. As part of this regulation and to support international trade arrangements, Varroa mite has been included on Schedule 1 of the Biosecurity Regulation. This means it is a notifiable pest. Anyone who sees or suspects Varroa mite for the first time must report it to the DPIRD within 1 working day. If you have previously notified varroa mite, and you see it again while conducting beekeeping activities, there is no need to notify the Department again. Varroa mite is still a serious pest, however the focus has shifted from trying to eliminate it to managing and controlling its impact. Three serious diseases of animals have been included as prohibited matter, including: Mycobacterium caprae – a type of tuberculosis bacteria that can infect animals and humans. Mycobacterium tuberculosis – the main bacteria that causes human tuberculosis. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – a virus that causes severe respiratory illness. If a person suspects or detects the presence of prohibited matter, they must report it immediately to DPIRD. Also, a person must not deal with prohibited matter, including (but not limited to) to keep, move, possess, control, produce, supply, buy, or sell, the prohibited matter.
Biosecurity Act 2015	Prohibited matter	[2] Schedule 2, Part 1	Omit the following under the heading “Pest Terrestrial Invertebrates” — Apis florae (Dwarf honeybee) And insert instead Apis florea (Dwarf honeybee)	This amendment corrects the spelling of the scientific name for the Dwarf honeybee to Apis florea.
Biosecurity Act 2015	Prohibited matter	[4] Schedule 2, Part 1	Omit the following from under the heading “Terrestrial and Freshwater Weeds”— Centaurea x moncktonii Black knapweed Hieracium spp. (all species except Hieracium murorum) Hawkweed Miconia spp. (all species) Miconia Insert in alphabetical order— Centaurea x moncktonii Meadow knapweed Miconia calvescens Miconia nervosa Miconia racemosa	This amendment corrects an error in the scientific and common name for the terrestrial weed, Centaurea x moncktonii, Meadow knapweed. Hiercium spp. has been removed from the prohibited matter list due to taxonomic revision. Hawkweed species are now included under the Pilosella genus, which is currently included as prohibited matter. There are nearly 1900 Miconia species, however, there are only three Miconia species which pose a significant risk to NSW. These have been included as prohibited matter. This will ensure a more targeted and risk-based approach to this weed. If a person suspects or detects the presence of prohibited matter, they must report it immediately to DPIRD. Also, a person must not deal with prohibited matter, including (but not limited to) to keep, move, possess, control, produce, supply, buy, or sell, the prohibited matter.
Biosecurity Act 2015	Prohibited matter	[5] Schedule 2, Part 1	Amend the name “Pest Marine Invertebrates” to “Pest Marine and Freshwater Invertebrates”
Biosecurity Act 2015	Prohibited matter	[6] Schedule 2, Part 1	Omit the following from under the heading “Pest Marine and Freshwater Invertebrates”, as amended by item [5]— Didemnum vexillum Colonial sea squirt Insert in alphabetical order— Corbicula fluminea Freshwater gold clam Cipangopaludina chinensis Chinese mystery snail Cipangopaludina japonica Japanese mystery snail Dreissena bugensis Quagga mussel Dreissena polymorpha Zebra mussel Pomacea canaliculata Golden apple snail Pomacea maculata Island apple snail Tarebia granifera Quilted melania	Didemnum vexillum (Colonial sea squirt) has been removed from the prohibited matter list because it is known to be present in Sydney Harbour. It is regarded as infeasible to eradicate. As part of this regulation, Colonial sea squirt has been included on Schedule 1 of the Biosecurity Regulation. This means it is a notifiable pest. Anyone who sees or suspects Colonial sea squirt must report it to the DPIRD within 1 working day. Eight* high-risk aquatic pests have been included as prohibited matter: Freshwater gold clam Chinese mystery snail Japanese mystery snail Quagga mussel Zebra mussel Golden apple snail Island apple snail Quilted melania If a person suspects or detects the presence of prohibited matter, they must report it immediately to DPIRD. Also, a person must not deal with prohibited matter, including (but not limited to) to keep, move, possess, control, produce, supply, buy, or sell, the prohibited matter. *Golden Apple Snail is also listed as prohibited matter under “Pest and Diseases of Plants”
Biosecurity Act 2015		[7] Schedule 2, Part 2	Insert in alphabetical order under the heading “Plant Pests and Diseases”— Pyricularia oryzae (rice blast) Land within the following local government areas— (a) Balranald, (b) Berrigan, (c) Carrathool, (d) Edward River, (e) Federation, (f) City of Griffith, (g) Hay, (h) Leeton, (i) Murray River, (j) Murrumbidgee, (k) Narrandera.	Rice blast will remain prohibited matter, but only for lands within the 11 local government areas in southern NSW. These are key rice-growing regions and where rice blast is not known to occur. This area is known as the Rice Biosecurity Zone: Balranald Berrigan Carrathool Edward River Federation City of Griffith Hay Leeton Murray River Murrumbidgee Narrandera If someone suspects or detects the presence of Rice blast in the Rice Biosecurity Zone, they must report it immediately to DPIRD. Also, a person must not deal with Rice blast in the Rice Biosecurity Zone, including (but not limited to) to keep, move, possess, control, produce, supply, buy, or sell, the prohibited matter. As part of this regulation, Rice blast has been included on Schedule 1 of the Biosecurity Regulation for the area outside of the Rice Biosecurity Zone. This means that rice blast will remain a notifiable plant disease in all parts of NSW, but that Prohibited Matter provisions will only apply in the Rice Biosecurity Zone. Anyone who sees or suspects rice blast in an area outside of the Rice Biosecurity Zone, must report it to the DPIRD within 1 working day. Rice blast can devastate crops and threaten the rice industry. By formally recognising it and restricting activities in high-risk zones, NSW is aiming to protect local agriculture and prevent outbreaks. This change also recognises that the disease is present in northern NSW and so removed regulatory burden on the industry in that area.
Biosecurity Regulation 2017		[1] Part 5, Division 3A Insert after clause 71— Division 3A Chinese violet biosecurity zone	71A Establishment of biosecurity zone (1) For the Act, section 79(1), a biosecurity zone, to be known as the Chinese violet biosecurity zone, is established for all land within the State. (2) The Chinese violet biosecurity zone is established to manage the biosecurity risk of the weed Asystasia gangetica subsp. micrantha (Chinese violet). 71B Regulatory measures For the Act, section 80, an owner or occupier of land in the Chinese violet biosecurity zone on which there is the weed Asystasia gangetica subsp. micrantha (Chinese violet) must— (a) if the weed is part of a new infestation of the weed on the land—notify the local control authority for the land as soon as practicable in accordance with Part 6, and (b) eradicate the weed or, if that is not practicable, destroy as much of the weed as is practicable and suppress the spread of any remaining weed	A biosecurity zone has been established across all of NSW to manage the spread of the invasive weed Chinese violet (Asystasia gangetica subsp. micrantha). If you own or manage land in NSW and Chinese violet is found on your property, you must: Report new infestations – If the weed has newly appeared on your land, notify your local control authority (local council or county council) as soon as possible. Take action to control it – You must remove the weed completely. If full removal isn’t possible, you must destroy as much as you can and take all possible steps to stop it from spreading further. Biosecurity Zones are an appropriate management tool to manage biosecurity matter over an extended period where the focus is on containment, minimising the risk of spread and the impact of the weed in the affected area. Chinese violet has been regulated across NSW under a control order since 1 July 2019. Noting this Regulation, the Biosecurity (Chinese Violet) Control Order 2024 has been revoked.
Biosecurity Regulation 2017		[2] Clause 84 Requirement as to hives	Omit clause 84(2). Insert instead— (2) The registered entity must display the registered entity’s registration number on each of the entity’s hives so the registration number: (a) appears on a visible external vertical side of the hive, and (b) has a height of not less than 15mm. (3) If a hive of the registered entity was previously owned or used by another registered entity, all registration numbers of the previous registered entity must be struck out, permanently covered or removed from the hive so it is clear which entity currently owns or is using the hive.	All registered beekeepers in NSW must now: Clearly display their registration number on each hive: It must be on a visible vertical side of the hive. The number must be at least 15mm high so it can be easily read. Remove old registration numbers: If you’re using a hive that previously belonged to another beekeeper, you must strike out, cover, or remove the old registration number so it’s clear who currently owns or uses the hive. Proper labelling helps biosecurity officers quickly identify hive owners during inspections, disease outbreaks, or emergencies. It also supports better communication and disease management across the beekeeping community.
Biosecurity Regulation 2017		[3] Schedule 1 Pests and diseases required to be notified	Insert in alphabetical order in Part 1— Babesia divergens (Babesiosis) Varroa destructor (Varroa mite)	Babesia divergens (Babesiosis) is a parasite that can infect animals (and occasionally humans), causing the disease babesiosis, which affects red blood cells. Babesiosis has been included on Schedule 1 of the Biosecurity Regulation. This means anyone who sees or suspects Babesiosis must report it to the DPIRD within 1 working day. See advice above regarding Varroa mite.
Biosecurity Regulation 2017		[4] Schedule 1, Part 2	Insert in alphabetical order— Didemnum vexillum (Colonial sea squirt)	See advice above regarding Colonial sea squirt.
Biosecurity Regulation 2017		[5] Schedule 1, Part 4	Insert in alphabetical order— Pyricularia oryzae (rice blast) but only outside the rice biosecurity zone within the meaning of this regulation, Part 4, Division 5.	See advice above regarding Rice blast.