QLD priority EAD sample transport subsidy pilot

31 Jul 2025

The AVA is pleased to share the below communication from Biosecurity Queensland regarding the launch of the Priority EAD Sample Transport Subsidy pilot.

This important initiative is a direct result of sustained advocacy led by the AVA Queensland Division Committee, which commenced in early 2023 in response to concerns raised about the cost impact on submitting EAD exclusion samples. The pilot is a positive step forward in supporting private veterinarians to carry out this critical work and ensuring Queensland remains free of high-risk exotic animal diseases.

From Biosecurity Queensland

The prompt detection and early response to exotic and emergency animal diseases (EADs) is critically important to protect animal health and our livestock industries in Queensland and Australia.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) fully subsidises the cost of laboratory testing for submissions meeting the Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory (BSL) specimen receipt policy, while the submitter is responsible for the costs of transporting the samples to BSL. In recognition of the potential for this cost to be a limiting factor in the submission of EAD exclusions, the DPI is piloting a sample transport subsidy.

Queensland (and Australia) remains free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), African swine fever (ASF), lumpy skin disease (LSD) and H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) and we want to keep it that way.  The sample transport subsidy pilot will therefore target these 4 priority EADs.

The pilot has been designed for busy mixed and large animal private practices throughout Queensland to provide administrative and financial support for the logistics of sending samples to the BSL in Coopers Plains, Brisbane, for the exclusion of these EADs. It opened on Monday 4 August 2025 and will run for up to 6 months.

Further information on accessing this sample transport subsidy, including eligibility, are available at:

As private veterinarians, you play a key role in general surveillance in Queensland, providing expertise in evaluating, clinically investigating and reporting of significant animal disease events, and the DPI remains committed to working with and supporting you in undertaking this vital work.

If you have a genuine suspicion of an EAD, please telephone Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23, or the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.