Australia strengthens its biosecurity against pests and diseases in agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries with added funding package of $267 M per year
Australia is designing the new Biosecurity Protection Levy model that will commence from 1 July 2024. Strong and sustainably funded biosecurity is essential to protect Australia against potentially devasting
pests and diseases, and to safeguard our economy and agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries. The new model recognises that primary producers, whether growing for the domestic market or exporting into premium overseas markets, benefit considerably from Australia’s biosecurity status.
The Australian Government’s 2023-24 Budget announced a biosecurity sustainable funding package of
$1.03 billion over 4 years and $267 million per year ongoing from 2027-28. This package introduces a new model for funding biosecurity based on shared responsibility – between those who create risk and those who receive significant benefits from the Australian Government’s efforts at the border.
The Biosecurity Protection Levy will be introduced to contribute to the cost of Australia’s biosecurity activities. This levy will see producers join taxpayers and risk creators, such as importers, in delivering a fairer system of funding for the biosecurity system. The cost will be shared between taxpayers, importers, international travellers and producers. It is expected from 2024-25:
- 44% of the biosecurity system cost will be covered by ongoing taxpayer funding
- Importers will be paying 48%
- Producers will contribute 6%
- Australia Post 2%
The Biosecurity Protection Levy will apply to domestic agricultural, fisheries and forestry producers. It is
intended to collect around $50 million per year, equivalent to 6 per cent (on an annual basis) of the total
Australian Government biosecurity funding in 2024-25. This levy will collect an amount equivalent to 10 per cent of 2020-21 levy rates or another comparable metric where such levies are not in place. The Biosecurity Protection Levy is separate to, and does not change, existing industry-led agricultural levies supporting R&D, marketing, residue testing, and Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia membership levies.
