Managing biosecurity risks to your business
Biosecurity is more than an agricultural issue—it's critical for all Queensland businesses.
Biosecurity plays a vital role in safeguarding industries, the environment and communities from pests, diseases and invasive species. It involves preventing, managing and responding to these threats to protect our economy, ecosystems and way of life.
While every business has legal obligations to uphold biosecurity standards, taking a proactive approach can safeguard your operations, strengthen supply chains, protect your bottom line and enhance your reputation.
Follow these steps to understand the main biosecurity risks to your business and take actions to minimise their impact.
Step 1: Know the potential impacts of biosecurity events
Answer these questions to understand the impact of a biosecurity event on your business.
Operational disruptions
Could your business survive indefinite closures, regulatory scrutiny, trade restrictions, or supply chain delays and movement controls caused by pests or diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, fruit fly or brown marmorated stink bug?
For example, a logistics company faced weeks of delays when imported goods were quarantined due to pest contamination.
Reputation damage
How would your customers and stakeholders react to a biosecurity breach linked to your operations?
For example, a retailer lost customer trust after contaminated shipments led to product recalls and negative media coverage.
Financial impact
What would the cost of inspections, fumigation, compliance measures or temporary business closure mean for your bottom line?
For example, a manufacturer incurred significant expenses when fumigation requirements delayed critical components, halting production.
Step 2: Assess your organisation's biosecurity readiness
Answer these questions to assess your organisation's biosecurity readiness across key areas.
Risk management
- What are the key biosecurity risks facing your business?
- How do you identify and assess biosecurity threats in your operations and supply chains?
- Are staff trained to recognise and report biosecurity risks?
Culture
- How do you engage employees in biosecurity awareness and training?
- Is biosecurity included in your onboarding and ongoing professional development programs?
- How do you communicate the importance of biosecurity to external stakeholders?
Finance allocation/investment
- Have you allocated resources for basic biosecurity measures (such as staff training, facility hygiene, and regular inspections of goods, vehicles and facilities) to identify risks early?
- Are you working with suppliers who comply with biosecurity regulations, even if it involves small additional costs?
- Are you aware of government programs or funding opportunities that could support your biosecurity efforts?
Legislative requirements
- Are you familiar with the current federal biosecurity legislation and Queensland biosecurity laws and regulations relevant to your industry?
- Do you have systems in place to ensure your organisation complies with these laws and regulations?
- Are you aware that non-compliance with biosecurity regulations can result in fines, legal action or reputational damage?
- How do you ensure, measure and track compliance with inspection, fumigation and quarantine requirements?
- Do you stay up to date with biosecurity alerts and changes to regulations?
- How do you communicate this information within your organisation?
Reputation
- How would a biosecurity breach impact your brand reputation?
- What steps are you taking to reassure customers about your biosecurity practices?
- How do you communicate your commitment to biosecurity as part of your corporate social responsibility?
Step 3: Strengthen your biosecurity practices
Take these steps today to protect your business from biosecurity risks.
Stay informed
- Stay up to date with biosecurity risks and management through Queensland Government and Australian Government newsletters and alerts.
- Know how to report a biosecurity pest or disease, including fire ants.
- Learn more about biosecurity and the work of Biosecurity Queensland.
Partner with government and industry biosecurity bodies
- Join the Queensland Biosecurity Partners Network to
- participate in awareness campaigns
- access expert advice
- contribute to Queensland's biosecurity resilience.
- Join the Biosecurity Business Network Australia and take the Biosecurity Business Pledge.
Strengthen your supply chain management
- Partner with trusted suppliers who comply with biosecurity regulations.
- Minimise risks by ensuring goods are treated, inspected or certified before shipment.
Train your staff
- Embed basic biosecurity training for all employees, especially those in logistics, procurement or facilities management. This will help them recognise and report potential risks.
- Look for courses on the National Biosecurity Training Hub, which is a centralised platform for biosecurity training
Educational videos
Use Biosecurity Queensland's educational videos as a training aid:
Maintain hygiene and sanitation
- To help prevent pest infestations, keep facilities and vehicles clean, and dispose of waste responsibly.
- Encourage employees and visitors to watch Come clean, go clean: a vehicle clean-down guide for visitors.
Implement monitoring systems
- Regularly inspect goods, vehicles and facilities for signs of pests or contaminants.
- Establish clear reporting procedures for staff.
Communicate with customers
- Be transparent about potential delays caused by biosecurity measures.
- Highlight your commitment to protecting supply chains and product quality.
Find out more
- Read about our Biosecurity in the Boardroom initiative.
- Download the Biosecurity in the Boardroom conversation starter.
- Email biosecurity.capability@dpi.qld.gov.au.