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Queensland act
This is Queensland's main law for protecting the state from biological threats — things like exotic diseases, invasive pests and weeds, contaminated animal feed, and harmful pathogens (disease-causing organisms). Think of it as the rulebook for keeping Queensland's farms, animals, plants, environment, and people safe from biological risks.
Pretty much everyone in Queensland — farmers, landowners, pet owners, businesses, local councils, and the State Government itself. If you deal with animals, plants, soil, water, or any biological material, this law likely applies to you in some way.
Every person who knows (or should know) that something they're doing or dealing with poses a biosecurity risk must take all reasonable and practical steps to prevent or minimise that risk. This isn't optional — it applies automatically. Examples of breaching this duty include:
Breaching this obligation carries serious penalties — up to 3,000 penalty units or 3 years' imprisonment for the most serious cases ("aggravated offences" where significant damage to health, the economy, or environment was intended or recklessly risked).
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Direct links to the current provisions in Biosecurity Act 2014.
Zoe has indexed the source text for search and analysis. Use the official register for the original document and download formats.
View on official registerSourced from Queensland Legislation (legislation.qld.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
The Act draws a key distinction between two types of dangerous biological material:
Prohibited matter: Things not currently present in Queensland that could cause serious harm if they arrived (e.g., exotic diseases). You must not deal with prohibited matter at all, and you must report it immediately if you find it. Penalties up to 1,000 penalty units or 1 year's imprisonment.
Restricted matter: Things already present in Queensland that need to be controlled or contained (like certain invasive weeds or animals). Rules vary by category — Category 1 and 2 must be reported within 24 hours; Category 3 has restrictions on how you can dispose of it.
The government can rapidly declare something to be prohibited or restricted matter via emergency declarations (effective immediately) if there's an urgent threat.
Yes — if government action under this Act causes you loss or damage, there is a statutory compensation (government-mandated payment) scheme.
Yes — there are defences available, including: