What is Plant Biosecurity?
Plant biosecurity is a growing field of activity for many professionals involved in agriculture, horticulture, the environment and international and domestic trade. This growth is driven by the need to maintain agricultural and environmental integrity in a world where, due to ever increasing levels of trade and human movement, exotic plant-affecting organisms pose major and ongoing threats. Plant biosecurity is a continuum covering preborder, border and post-border activities and is underpinned by:
- plant pathology,
- entomology,
- weed biology,
- risk analysis,
- community engagement,
- emergency response planning,
- invasion biology,
- legislation,
- and quarantine processes.
The ability to respond in an appropriate and timely fashion to plant pest or disease incursions is essential to protect our valuable agricultural and horticultural plant industries and our natural ecosystems. In this course you will cover all aspects of plant biosecurity, from pre-border preparedness and prevention activities, to rapid emergency response in the event of a plant pest incursion, and then the management of pest organisms if they permanently establish and impact on trade.
This course is delivered by a consortium of five Australian universities, each with expertise in different areas of plant biosecurity, thus increasing your learning and professional experience.
Career Opportunities
Graduates will be able to pursue careers in biosecurity, quarantine and pest management, acting in technical, research and administrative
roles, with organisations such as Departments of Agriculture, Biosecurity Agencies, Trade Organisations and private industry.
Professional Recognition
These courses have been developed within the Australian Qualifications Framework in consultation with various government agencies. When you graduate from the program you can do so with the knowledge that your degree will be at the highest level of industry recognition.
Interested? Contact a course coordinator and enrol today!