Evaluation of the Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy

Northern Australia is the frontline of Australia’s defence against a multitude of biosecurity risks due to its proximity to neighbouring countries and unique climatic conditions. Over the last decade, numerous weeds, pests and diseases have entered Northern Australia through active biosecurity risk pathways. This has caused considerable financial, environmental and social costs to industry, the environment and the public. 

The Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy (NABS) was developed in 2019 in response to consultations and a review of jurisdictions’ and industries’ biosecurity strategies. The review identified gaps in the northern biosecurity system and challenges in coordination of the system in northern Australia.  

NABS is a systems improvement response designed to support and improve coherence of the system of actors, institutions, policies and activities that act on biosecurity risks and pathways. It operates in a complex and rapidly changing environment. 

The NABS aligns with and works to achieve goals of the National Biosecurity Strategy (NBS). It is a strategic platform to focus national efforts on high priority activities in Northern Australia (the northern extent of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland, including the Torres Strait) and to improve responsiveness to key challenges present in the north. It is also cross-sectoral, bringing together biosecurity stakeholders from plant, aquatic and animal areas. 

ARTD worked with the NABS team to evaluate the benefits of NABS after 18 months of operation. The purpose of the evaluation was to: 

• understand and communicate the current and future value of NABS for biosecurity preparedness and response 

• identify what has and has not been working well, and the value-add of NABS to the biosecurity system 

• identify gaps and priority projects for additional funding to enhance the collaboration necessary to maintain a strong biosecurity system in northern Australia.   

ARTD took a mixed methods exploratory sequential approach to the evaluation of NABS. We started by reviewing existing documents and financial data, which strengthened our contemporary understanding of the issues, and informed our subsequent stakeholder consultations. This sequential design ensured effective progress and comprehensive analysis in the 5-month timeframe of the evaluation, minimised the burden of data collection on stakeholders and maximised their contribution.  

Our consultation included interviews and focus groups with Technical Working Groups (animal, plant and aquatic biosecurity advisory groups made up of jurisdictional representatives and national bodies), government stakeholders across the three states and territories, and industry representatives.  

Given the evaluation’s focus on understanding the state of relationships and coordination between biosecurity actors, as well as on how it is delivering on its strategic objectives and those of the NBS, observations were a key part of our data collection approach. We attended a session of the Animal Technical Working Group, and the annual NABS Forum, where we did short vox-pop interviews and observations. This also meant we reached more stakeholders than we otherwise would have within the evaluation timeframe. It strengthened our understanding of NABS and the context in which it was being delivered, which we could then reflect in the subsequent stakeholder consultation.  

The evaluation found that stakeholders support NABS’ collaborative approach, and its focus areas. They particularly support building a biosecurity workforce pipeline, because this affects all other biosecurity efforts in the region. It also provided evidence of early outcomes in training, attracting and retaining workforce, and in improving diagnostic capabilities, surveillance and technology and datasets in northern Australia. The evaluation identified several areas to strengthen, including in stakeholder communications, as well as priority areas to scale up. 

The evaluation helped confirm trends and opportunities the NABS team were observing and provided evidence to support the prioritisation of actions. Our recommendations were accepted and are being used to implement forward planning and improvement for the next period of NABS’ delivery.