Biosecurity is all about protecting our industry, environment and society from invasive pests, weeds and disease.
Keep updated with biosecurity threats to keep our industry safe.
Imported Red Fire Ants
Fire ants infest around 830,000 ha in Southeast Queensland, close to the NSW border which poses an ongoing risk of new infestations in NSW. Most of NSW has been free of fire ants. Nests found in South Murwillumbah (November 2023), Wardell (January 2024) and Tweed heads (July 2025) were destroyed and surveillance and treatment are ongoing, in partnership with the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program.
The current Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order defines the emergency zones and requirements for moving fire ant carriers.
If you are moving the defined fire ant carriers from the parts of QLD and NSW shown in red, orange or yellow on this map, you must comply with the current Emergency Order. View the current order and Plain English Guide.
Fireweed and Restrictions into the ACT
Quick Facts
- Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) is an introduced weed that competes strongly with pasture species and is toxic to livestock.
- It can dominate pastures.
- It is responsible for illness, slow growth and poor conditioning of cattle and can result in death.
- Fireweed is a weed of both arable country and rangelands.
Turf Growers should follow the requirements of the Act Govt when transporting turf in the ACT – treated with a pre-emergent herbicide prior to delivery.
The supplier should have a document or quality assurance certification to confirm the turf is free of fireweed seed and has been treated.