Biosecurity (Biosecurity Activity Zones) Determination 2016

Administered by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Legislation au F2016L00854 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

Issued by Authority of the Director of Biosecurity

 

Biosecurity Act 2015

 

Biosecurity (Biosecurity Activity Zones) Determination 2016

 

Legislative Authority

 

The Biosecurity Act 2015 (the Biosecurity Act) provides the Commonwealth with powers to assess and manage the risk of pests and diseases entering Australian territory and causing harm to animal, plant and human health, the environment and the economy.

 

Subsection 395(1) of the Biosecurity Act provides that the Director of Biosecurity may determine that a specified area in Australia is a biosecurity activity zone. Under subsection 395(1), the Director of Biosecurity can make such a determination if (a) the area is a place where areas are exercised or functions or duties are performed by, or on behalf of, the Commonwealth under the Biosecurity Act and (b) the Director of Biosecurity is satisfied it is necessary to make the determination for the purpose of managing biosecurity risks associated with the exercise of those powers or the performance of those functions or duties. Subsection 395(4) of the Biosecurity Act provides that a determination under subsection 395(1) is a legislative instrument.

 

A determination for a biosecurity activity zone will remain in force until it is revoked under section 398 (see subsection 395(5)) of the Biosecurity Act).

 

Purpose

 

The purpose of the Biosecurity (Biosecurity Activity Zones) Determination 2016 (the Determination) is to determine areas as biosecurity activity zones under the Biosecurity Act. Once determined as a biosecurity activity zone, certain powers under the Biosecurity Act may be exercised in those zones in relation to goods and premises allowing for greater ability to assess and manage biosecurity risk.

 

Background

 

The Biosecurity Act commenced on 16 June 2016 12 months after royal assent. The Biosecurity Act replaces the Quarantine Act 1908 (the Quarantine Act) and provides a strong regulatory framework that enables the management of biosecurity risks in a modern and responsive manner. The Biosecurity Act enhances Australia’s capacity to manage biosecurity risks into the future by providing a high-level legislative framework that clearly sets out the powers that can be exercised by officials as well as the requirements for those being regulated.

 

The Biosecurity Act is principles-based and lays the foundation for biosecurity risk management. The detail and specific information requirements for certain activities under the Biosecurity Act are provided for in the Biosecurity Regulation 2016 and other delegated legislation, including this Determination. This Determination sets out biosecurity activity zones which enables certain powers under the Biosecurity Act to be exercised in those zones in relation to goods and premises.

 

Impact and Effect

 

The determination of biosecurity activity zones by the Director of Biosecurity provides greater ability to assess and manage biosecurity risk in those areas. The availability of these powers are necessary for areas which have a higher biosecurity risk because of the nature of activities undertaken at those locations.

 

Consultation

 

During the 2015–16 implementation of the Biosecurity Act, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources actively raised awareness among clients, stakeholders and the general public that new Biosecurity legislation commences on 16 June 2016.

 

This included holding forums targeting peak industry bodies in Canberra and major city regions in Australia, which were attended by over 700 representatives overall from shipping, ports, petroleum, airlines, airports, freight, cargo, food and beverage industries, research, education, science, plant and animal health and state, territory and federal governments. Meetings and workshops were also held with state and territory governments, other government agencies (including the Department of Health, Department of Defence and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection), as well as with consultative committees, and environmental groups. Regular biosecurity legislation update notifications were distributed to subscribers across five of the department’s subscription lists. International trading partners were also notified via the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary notification.

 

The consultation undertaken built upon extensive consultation on the Biosecurity Act which began in 2009. During the development process, the department consulted with industry representatives from the cargo, shipping, ports, supply chain and logistics, airline, airport, customs, environment, animal, plant, invasive species, primary production and petroleum/exploration sectors through working groups.

 

Targeted consultation with state and territory governments was undertaken to determine biosecurity activity zones, however public consultation was not necessary for this Determination as it relates to the management of Commonwealth premises.

 

The department consulted with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) in the drafting of the Determination, and the Office of Best Practice Regulation advised on 31 March 2016 that the Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) conducted for the Biosecurity Bill 2014 (ID: 16609) was sufficient for the purposes of the Biosecurity delegated legislation and a further RIS is not required .

 

The Determination is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2003. However, under subsection 395(4) of the Biosecurity Act, the Determination is not subject to disallowance. The decision to make a determination under subsection 395(1) of the Biosecurity Act is a technical and scientific based decision to manage biosecurity risks associated with activities undertaken at those specified areas.

 

A Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights was prepared for the Biosecurity Act. An additional statement is not required for this Determination as it is not subject to disallowance.

 

Details of the Biosecurity (Biosecurity Activity Zones) Determination 2016.

 

Section 1 – Name

 

This section provides that the name of the Determination is the Biosecurity (Biosecurity Activity Zones) Determination 2016.

 

Section 2 – Commencement

 

This section provides that the Determination commences at the same time as section 3 of the Biosecurity Act commences. Section 3 of the Biosecurity Act commences on 16 June 2016.

 

Section 3 – Authority

 

This section provides that the Determination is made under subsection 395(1) of the Biosecurity Act.

 

The determined biosecurity activity zones are places were powers are exercised or functions or duties are performed by, or on behalf of the Commonwealth under the Biosecurity Act. The Director of Biosecurity is satisfied that it is necessary to make this Determination for the purpose of managing biosecurity risks associated with the exercise of those powers or the performance of those functions or duties.

 

Sections 4 to 6 – Biosecurity activity zone

 

For each of the sections 4 to 6, subsection (1) specifies that the area in subsection (2) is a biosecurity activity zone.

 

For each of the sections 4 to 6, subsection (2) provides the specific description of the area that will be determined as a biosecurity activity zone.

 

The following biosecurity activity zones are determined:

  • Mickleham (Victoria) – the area is the land in folio identifier 2/LP202576J at Mickleham, City of Hume, County of Bourke, Victoria (known as 135 Donnybrook Road, Mickleham, Victoria)
  • Spotswood (Victoria) – the area is the land being Crown Allotments 64 and 66 Section 7 respectively Parish of Cut-Paw-Paw in Victoria being the whole of the land comprised in Certificates of Title Volume 7720 Folio 33 and Volume 9971 Folio 289 (known as 43 Craig Street, Spotswood Victoria), excluding the land and any buildings at 47 Craig Street.
  • Torrens Island (South Australia) – the area is the portion of land comprised in Certificate of Title Volume 6132 Folio 765 being portion of allotment 302 in the area named Torrens Island in the Hundred of Port Adelaide, South Australia (known as Torrens Island Avian Quarantine Facility, Grand Trunkway, Gillman, South Australia).

 

The notes to sections 3 to 5 provide that section 399 of the Biosecurity Act sets out the powers that may be exercised by a biosecurity officer in, or in relation to goods or premises in, a biosecurity activity zone. These powers include:

  • the power to cause the biosecurity activity zone to be identified (including by affixing notices or markings)
  • the power to cause goods or premises (including conveyances) within the zone to be identified (including by affixing notices or markings)
  • the power to direct a person in the biosecurity activity zone to leave the zone for up to 24 hours, and
  • any powers prescribed in the regulations for the purposes of section 399.

The powers provided in relation to entry and exit requirements in sections 333 and 334 of the Biosecurity Act may also be exercised in a biosecurity activity zone.

These powers will assist with the assessment and management of biosecurity risk in these post entry quarantine facilities, which have a higher biosecurity risk because of the nature of activities undertaken at those locations. Additionally, demarking the zone will notify the public of the potential biosecurity risks associated with the area, goods or premises.

 

Overview

The Biosecurity Act 2015 was enacted to provide a comprehensive legislative framework for managing biosecurity risks in Australia, replacing the outdated Quarantine Act 1908. This Act aims to enhance Australia's ability to protect its animal, plant, and human health, as well as the environment and economy, from pests and diseases that may enter the country. The Biosecurity (Biosecurity Activity Zones) Determination 2016, made by the Director of Biosecurity under the authority provided by the Biosecurity Act, identifies specific areas as biosecurity activity zones where certain powers under the Act can be exercised to manage biosecurity risks more effectively. These zones include Mickleham in Victoria, Spotswood in Victoria, and Torrens Island in South Australia, areas recognised for their higher biosecurity risks due to specific activities conducted there. The policy objective of this determination is to facilitate better risk assessment and management within these high-risk zones, thereby supporting the overarching goals of the Biosecurity Act. The determination process involved extensive consultation with industry stakeholders, state and territory governments, and other relevant agencies to ensure the zones were appropriately identified. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources played a key role in this consultation, aiming to raise awareness and ensure the smooth implementation of the new biosecurity framework. This Determination, as a legislative instrument, complements the Biosecurity Act by providing the necessary details for the practical application of biosecurity measures in designated high-risk areas.

Scope and Application

The Biosecurity (Biosecurity Activity Zones) Determination 2016 applies to specific geographic areas within Australia that have been identified as biosecurity activity zones under the Biosecurity Act 2015. These zones include Mickleham in Victoria, Spotswood in Victoria, and Torrens Island in South Australia. The determination is made by the Director of Biosecurity and is based on the need to manage biosecurity risks associated with the exercise of powers or performance of functions and duties by or on behalf of the Commonwealth under the Biosecurity Act. Once designated, these areas enable the exercise of certain powers under the Act in relation to goods and premises, thereby facilitating better biosecurity risk assessment and management. The determination is a legislative instrument and, under the Biosecurity Act, it is not subject to disallowance. The Determination remains in effect until revoked by the Director of Biosecurity under the provisions of the Biosecurity Act.

Key Provisions

The Biosecurity (Biosecurity Activity Zones) Determination 2016, made under subsection 395(1) of the Biosecurity Act 2015, establishes specific areas as biosecurity activity zones. These zones are defined in sections 4 to 6 of the Determination, encompassing areas in Mickleham, Victoria; Spotswood, Victoria; and Torrens Island, South Australia. Once designated, these zones allow for certain powers under the Biosecurity Act to be exercised within these areas in relation to goods and premises, thereby enhancing the ability to assess and manage biosecurity risks. The obligations imposed by the Determination primarily concern the identification and demarcation of biosecurity activity zones. Section 399 of the Biosecurity Act allows biosecurity officers to affix notices or markings to identify the zones and any goods or premises within them. Additionally, officers can direct individuals within these zones to leave for up to 24 hours, a measure aimed at controlling potential biosecurity threats. The Determination also enables the exercise of entry and exit powers under sections 333 and 334 of the Biosecurity Act, which further assists in managing biosecurity risks in these high-risk locations. The Determination includes provisions for civil and criminal penalties for breaches. Under the Biosecurity Act, individuals or entities failing to comply with the provisions of the Determination, such as unauthorized entry or tampering with biosecurity measures, can face significant penalties. For example, for offences involving the carriage of prohibited goods, the maximum penalty can be substantial, reflecting the seriousness of biosecurity breaches. The Biosecurity Act also provides for both civil and criminal penalties, ensuring that there are adequate deterrents and consequences for non-compliance. This framework ensures that biosecurity measures are strictly enforced, safeguarding Australia’s biosecurity integrity.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.