Biosecurity Act 2025

In this Act, an animal or plant is a pest—

if it is a non-indigenous animal or a non-indigenous plant (as the case may be) and it has an adverse effect on, or is suspected of having an adverse effect on, the environment, the community or the economy by—

competing with other organisms for resources, including food, water, nutrients, habitat and sunlight; or

destroying or damaging the habitat of other organisms; or

preying or feeding on other organisms; or

transmitting disease to other organisms; or

causing harm to other organisms through toxicity or disturbance; or

reducing the productivity of any primary industry, or the value of any primary produce or commodity; or

damaging infrastructure; or

reducing the amenity or aesthetic value of premises; or

harming or reducing biodiversity; or

doing any other prescribed thing or having any other prescribed effect; or

if it is an animal or plant declared by the Minister to be a pest for the purposes of this Act.

However, an animal or plant is not a pest if it is excluded from the ambit of subsection (1) by the regulations.

A declaration of the Minister under this section—

must be by notice in the Gazette; and

may be varied or revoked by the Minister by further notice in the

Gazette.