The general biosecurity obligation on project sites
Several Australian jurisdictions place a general obligation or duty on everyone who deals with weeds, pests, diseases or the things that carry them, including soil, water, vehicles and machinery. For a project that means taking reasonable and practical steps to stop biosecurity risks spreading, and being able to show that you did.
Where it applies
Queensland's Biosecurity Act 2014 sets a general biosecurity obligation. New South Wales (Biosecurity Act 2015), Tasmania (Biosecurity Act 2019) and the ACT (Biosecurity Act 2023) each set a general biosecurity duty. Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory manage weeds and pests under their own laws, including declared weed and pest lists and landholder control requirements. Our state service pages set out the main law in each jurisdiction.
What reasonable and practical looks like on a project
The law does not list every step. It expects you to understand the risks your work creates and manage them. On most project sites that comes down to a handful of things.
- Knowing which declared or priority weeds and pests are on or near the site
- Making sure vehicles, plant and equipment arrive clean and leave clean
- Controlling weeds on disturbed ground, stockpiles and access tracks
- Keeping soil, mulch, gravel and water from moving between infested and clean areas
- Training workers to recognise risks and report them
- Keeping records of inspections, washdowns and treatments
The records that matter
If a landholder, client or regulator asks what you did, records are your answer. Inspection certificates for each vehicle and machine, washdown logs, treatment records with product, rate and location, induction attendance and a current biosecurity management plan together show a clear picture of reasonable and practical steps.
How we help
We prepare biosecurity management plans, inspect and certify vehicles and plant, supervise washdown bays, control weeds and pest animals, and run site inductions. Every visit produces a record you can file. Tell us about your project and we will scope the controls that fit.
Frequently asked questions
Does the obligation apply to contractors as well as the landholder?
Yes. Where it applies, it applies to anyone dealing with biosecurity matter or carriers, so principal contractors, their supply chain and visiting crews all have a part to play.
Is this legal advice?
No. This is general information. Check the current legislation and speak to the relevant state agency about your specific circumstances.