This online course provides a holistic understanding of the major agricultural industries and introduces students to the principles of the biosecurity continuum, and the social and economic contextual framework as it applies to challenges involving biological threats to Australian plants and animals. It will examine how policy, standards, delivery systems and risk management can reduce biosecurity threats and proactively prepare for emerging biosecurity challenges to ensure safety for plant and animal agriculture.

The course introduces strategies and tools available to successfully monitor and respond to biosecurity risk agents. You will be required to critically assess a possible biosecurity breach to develop a plan to control and monitor an identified disease, pests or invasive plants.

Part 1: Introduction to Biosecurity

• define biosecurity and describe the biosecurity continuum
• identify and describe the role of the major biosecurity organisations in Australia
• discuss the role of legislation in underpinning biosecurity measures in Australia
• identify and access sources of accurate and current information relating to biosecurity in Australia
• list the major threats to offshore, at-shore and onshore biosecurity in Australia
• discuss the environmental, economic and social impact of a biosecurity breach in Australia
• discuss the broad strategies in place to reduce the risk of a biosecurity breach in Australia
   

Part 2: Agriculture in the 21st Century

• investigate and discuss the products, economics, and importance of the major agricultural industries globally
• investigate and discuss the products, economics, and importance of minor Australian agricultural industries to regional and peri-urban communities
• compare and contrast the major food security challenges of the 21st century
• articulate the social, economic, and environmental factors impacting production and management decisions
• discuss the integration of ICT and genetic technologies into agricultural systems to manage the health and productivity of plants and animals
• describe the operations and logistics of major agricultural industries.
   

Part 3: Biosecurity Surveillance and Monitoring

• explain the different surveillance methodologies and discuss their use in Australian biosecurity
• discuss the role of each major Australian biosecurity agency in the surveillance and monitoring of biosecurity breaches
• outline government preparedness plans, strategies and tools to prevent and monitor biosecurity breaches
• describe the personnel and processes involved in reporting and monitoring a biosecurity breach
• determine the appropriate reporting process and prepare a report for an identified biosecurity breach
• examine the requirements and impact of biosecurity surveillance and monitoring on a relevant local business
• obtain, analyse and interpret government documents relating to biosecurity surveillance and monitoring processes

You should undertake this course if you are an individual associated with agriculture and primary industries, or Federal, State or Local Government Departments that manage or regulate agriculture and other natural resources.
 

After successful completion, you will have skills in the detection, diagnosis and management of both exotic and established plant pests and diseases that impact Australian agricultural systems. 

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