Everyday farming practices are all part of being biosecure. This includes:

• good weed management
• pest animal control and management
• participating in the National Livestock Identification System, traceability and market assurance programs.
• having the right licences, registrations and permits
• preventing the spread of disease and pests by checking materials and machinery when they enter and leave your property for unwanted hitchhikers
• educating farm visitors on the importance of biosecurity
• having an emergency disease action plan.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2015 everyone has a general obligation to be aware of their surroundings and take action to prevent the introduction and spread of pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants.

Everyone has a responsibility to:

• take action to prevent, eliminate or minimise pests, weeds and diseases
• take part in pest animal and weed control programs
• work together with your neighbours
• keep an eye out for pests, weeds and signs of disease
• know how to report biosecurity concerns.

Learn more about the General Biosecurity Duty.

If you are a primary producer, you need to:

• understand your biosecurity risks
• know what actions to take to manage these risks
• take effective action to reduce these risks.

Learn more about the General Biosecurity Duty.

All farms in NSW should implement a farm biosecurity management plan.

A farm biosecurity management plan:

• outlines measures and actions for protecting biosecurity
• helps reduce or mitigate risks from pests, weeds and diseases
• should be tailored to your property, as biosecurity risks vary
• is crucial during an emergency animal disease outbreak
• helps you identify, prioritise, and implement the right practices for your property.

Farm biosecurity doesn’t have to be hard. A simple, tailored biosecurity management plan can help protect your farm business.

Learn more about on-farm biosecurity planning tips.

The Animal Health Australia template can also help you quickly and easily establish a farm biosecurity management plan.

Pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants can be accidentally brought onto your property by farm workers and visitors. As a property owner or manager, having a clear plan in place helps reduce this risk.

Simple steps to consider include:

• keeping a visitor register
• installing signs asking visitors to contact you before entering
• limiting visitor access to livestock, crops, and plant areas
• requiring visitors and workers to clean or check their vehicles, equipment, clothing, and boots in a designated area on arrival and departure
• training staff to identify and report biosecurity risks, including unusual weeds, pests and diseases.

You have the right to refuse entry if visitors do not follow your biosecurity requirements after they have been explained

If you operate a business with tourism or public access, you may face greater risks. Consider sending biosecurity instructions to visitors before they arrive to help protect your property.

We are working with key utilities and service providers in NSW to reach an agreement on how biosecurity practices will be managed when their employees and workers visit properties.

View the Primefact: Landholder Biosecurity and Utility Service Providers ( PDF, 439.4 KB) for more information.