From the desk of the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer

Australia has a favourable animal health status underpinned by a highly effective biosecurity system. This is founded on the principle of partnerships and shared responsibilities across public and private entities through to communities and individuals. The reach of the biosecurity system is extensive, and as such it is reasonably complex. As Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer (ACVO), and from my roles prior to this, I am fortunate to have some unique insights into the workings of the system and how it functions within the national and international landscape. As we embark on 2025, there are several key activities on our horizon at a national and international level.

Australia’s federated animal health system

My role as ACVO sits within the Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). As ACVO, I am Australia’s representative of, and advisor to, the Australian Government on all matters relating to the maintenance and improvement of Australia’s animal health status and its supporting systems. This is a significant responsibility, and I don’t do it alone but work collaboratively across the department and outside of it.

When it comes to animal health and biosecurity, DAFF and state and territory governments have different – but complementary – roles and responsibilities. Each state and territory government has exclusive authority and responsibility for animal health matters within their boundaries.

I collaborate closely with my Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) counterparts in the states and territories. Last year, I was fortunate as ACVO to chair the Animal Health Committee (AHC). The AHC provides veterinary leadership and technical expertise for Australia’s animal health system. After a history of the chair rotating between those occupying the ACVO and jurisdictional CVO roles, this year marks the first time that new arrangements will be trialled, with me as ACVO co-chairing with a jurisdictional CVO. In 2025, I will be sharing the role with Dr Graeme Cooke, Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer.

I am delighted to continue to support the delivery of strategic policy, technical and regulatory advice, and national leadership on animal health and biosecurity matters under our federated system through AHC. The priorities for AHC this year include enhancing Australia’s preparedness and response capacity for emergency terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases, improving Australia’s animal health surveillance and diagnostics capabilities, facilitating an understanding of veterinary workforce needs and leading antimicrobial resistance (AMR) activities for the animal sector.

The importance of a One Health approach

As ACVO, I am privileged to be able to advocate for One Health approaches that recognise the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, and support a strong veterinary voice in One Health issues.

AMR is a key cross-sectoral issue requiring a One Health approach. DAFF is committed to addressing AMR. AMR in relation to animal health falls under my responsibility. I promote a consistent national approach to AMR in the animal health space through committees such as AHC. I will also continue to work closely with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to ensure a consistent national approach to AMR and other cross-sectoral issues such as high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).

Beyond domestic efforts, Australia’s engagement in global biosecurity governance is equally critical. DAFF, supported by my office, is a member of the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform, which was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization (WHO), and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). These are collectively known as the Quadripartite organizations. The platform aims to address AMR by fostering cooperation between stakeholders across the One Health spectrum.

International contributions to animal health

The international animal biosecurity landscape is constantly changing. It is essential that Australia’s international participation is consistent and strategically influences fair global animal health standards, while maximising Australia’s biosecurity and trade access.  

DAFF is also responsible for international animal health matters, including quarantine (pre-export and post-arrival), export certification and trade, as well as disease reporting to WOAH. As ACVO, I represent Australia internationally on animal health and welfare matters. I engage with my counterparts around the globe, seeking to strengthen relationships, promote Australia’s animal health system and mitigate biosecurity risks before they arrive in our country. This year is shaping up to be a busy year for me with a significant number of international engagement opportunities. I have already hit the ground running with a visit to Indonesia in January to meet with officials, reinforce relationships and discuss regional animal biosecurity concerns and promote the rigorous animal system that underpins our robust animal health status.

My role as ACVO also means that I am heavily involved in multilateral engagements. For example, I am Australia’s Delegate to WOAH. Delegates form the World Assembly of Delegates, which is the highest authority within WOAH and is responsible for driving global animal health standards and guidelines. Australia has a long-standing reputation as a strong contributor to WOAH, advocating for standards to be science-based and effective without imposing an unjustified burden on Australian producers.

As Australia’s Delegate, I am responsible for notifying WOAH of animal diseases present in Australia, providing Australia’s position on various animal health matters, and ensuring that WOAH standards, guidelines, and resolutions are appropriately implemented. I do this with support from my office, which coordinates Australia’s WOAH work and draws on the expertise of other Australian government departments and agencies, industry bodies, and other experts on the issues under consideration. I am looking forward to travelling to Paris in May to represent Australia at the 92^nd WOAH General Session.

In addition to my role as WOAH Delegate, I have been elected to the Governance Review Committee for WOAH’s constitution – the Basic Texts. My role on the Committee gives me the opportunity to present Australia’s position, and that of the Asia and the Pacific region, on recommendations relating to WOAH’s institutional, financial, and technical governance. This allows Australia to guide reform and uplift WOAH’s capability as an international organisation. The Governance Review Committee has already commenced work, and I will be travelling to Paris throughout the year, including in mid-February to progress this important work.  Australia’s position on updating WOAH’s constitution will be developed through broad consultation with a variety of stakeholders throughout the year.

Strengthening regional animal health partnerships

Our collaboration with regional partners through the Pacific Heads of Veterinary and Animal Production Services (PHOVAPS) and other initiatives strengthen Australia’s biosecurity defences by reducing the risk of transboundary animal diseases before they reach our shores. These diseases include foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, rabies, HPAI, African swine fever and very virulent infectious bursal disease virus.

DAFF has a long history of working closely with neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region to address shared animal health and biosecurity challenges. This year, I am particularly eager to further relationships with our Pacific neighbours to foster collective preparedness against emergency animal disease threats. As a member of the PHOVAPS Council, I am working collaboratively with my colleagues to strengthen animal health and production throughout the Pacific and am committed to supporting a regionally coordinated approach to transboundary animal disease threats.

My office also continues to lead initiatives to reduce pre-border biosecurity risks such as the Partnerships for a Healthy Region Project and the Papua New Guinea Biosecurity Twinning Program. These initiatives aim to reduce pre-border biosecurity risks that threaten Australia while bolstering the region’s overall animal health capacity. These initiatives are being funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Activities to reduce pre-border biosecurity risks also involve aiding near neighbours with disease response activities. An example of this is assisting Timor-Leste with their rabies outbreak which was confirmed in March 2024. My office has partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Fisheries and Forestry (MALFF) to support their rabies surveillance, dog vaccination programs, and community awareness campaigns. Last year, my office engaged a Risk Communications and Community Engagement specialist from RedR Australia to work with Timor-Leste’s Ministries of Agriculture, Health, and Education to develop a comprehensive rabies risk communications strategy for Timor-Leste. The strategy included a public awareness campaign for rabies which we will be rolled out this year. Our partnership with MALFF will also grow this year to include assisting the Timor-Leste poultry industry to develop industry biosecurity plans to mitigate the risk of HPAI.

Looking Ahead

By strengthening collaboration and investing in preparedness, we can ensure Australia remains a global leader in animal health and biosecurity.

As you are aware, our animal health and biosecurity system rely on a skilled and sustainable veterinary workforce. However, the sector is facing critical challenges, including a significant workforce shortage and a lack of national data about the workforce. It is in the national interest to ensure that we have enough veterinarians, with the right skills and the right support, in the places where they are most needed.

In August last year, I convened a Veterinary Workforce Data and Governance Roundtable in Canberra. The objective was to foster collaboration among veterinary professionals, academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to pursue a comprehensive national data solution, which can be used as a tool for advocacy, policy making, and planning. The success of the roundtable has led to the establishment of a Veterinary Workforce Data Taskforce, supported by my office. The taskforce will review governance and operational options for a national workforce data solution and provide recommendations and remains a key priority for the coming year. I am delighted that Dr Helen Scott-Orr AM PSM has agreed to lead this important work as the Chair of the Taskforce.

It's going to be a busy year, but I wouldn’t have it any other way as it means we are working towards stronger animal biosecurity for both Australia and the region. I look forward to continuing to work to protect Australia’s animal health in partnership with you all.

If you would like to keep up to date on the activities undertaken by me and the dedicated officers from my office, please follow me on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.