On-farm biosecurity management relates to the steps producers take to prevent, control and eliminate the spread of infectious diseases, invasive pests or weeds.
Strong biosecurity measures protect livestock and farm businesses, while also strengthening the security of the wider red meat industry and its access to global markets.
On-farm biosecurity management is one of the mandatory requirements of the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program.
Important change: From 1 September 2026, producers seeking LPA accreditation or reaccreditation will need to upload an On-farm Biosecurity Management Plan for each property associated with their LPA account. This can be done using the free online tool in your LPA account or by uploading a copy of an existing plan that covers the required elements. If you have already uploaded a biosecurity plan, please check your plan and update if necessary.
Check the health of the livestock coming onto your property (e.g. obtaining an LPA NVD and Animal Health Declaration)
Inspect introduced livestock for signs of illness on arrival and quarantine them appropriately
Monitor your livestock regularly and act quickly if you see signs of illness or disease
Reduce the risk of livestock straying on or off your property
Keep records of livestock transfers (NVDs and NLIS) and (where practicable) the movement of equipment, vehicle and visitors
Use any other practices to reduce the risk of disease spreading, such as pest control, invasive species management, carcase disposal, staff training, and clean down processes.
Livestock: how you manage and record stock entering and moving around your property to reduce the risk of introducing or spreading disease.
People, vehicles and equipment: how you control and, where practicable, record who and what comes onto your property.
Animal health: how you monitor your livestock and manage diseases on farm.
Create or update your On-farm Biosecurity Management Plan
There are two ways to meet the requirement, and you should choose whichever suits you best:
1. Log in to your LPA account.
2. Select Record Keeping, then Biosecurity Plan.
3. You will be guided through a series of questions about your biosecurity practices. Based on your responses, a On-farm Biosecurity Plan will be generated for you and automatically saved against your Property Identification Code (PIC).
Need a hand? Follow this how-to guide for help creating or uploading documents in your LPA account. Read the step-by-step guide
Maintaining your records for future audits
Keep your On-farm Biosecurity Management Plan up to date. If your property is selected for an LPA audit, you will need to provide your documented plan together with supporting biosecurity records.
From 1 September 2026, your plan also needs to be saved in your LPA account. If it is not, you will be prompted to provide a copy of your plan or complete a new one when seeking accreditation or reaccreditation.
See something unusual in your livestock? Call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Build your biosecurity knowledge with the free LPA Learning module.
Watch this short video to learn how you can meet the LPA biosecurity requirements on farm and during transport.
From this date, you must provide a documented On-farm Biosecurity Management Plan when you seek LPA accreditation or reaccreditation. You can complete the plan using the online tool in your LPA account or upload a copy of an existing plan that covers the required elements.
Biosecurity has been a requirement of the LPA program since 1 October 2017. Its inclusion in LPA strengthens the assurances provided to customers, protects the industry, and makes record-keeping simpler for producers - both on farm and when transporting livestock between properties, feedlots, saleyards, processors and for live export.
No. If your existing Johne’s disease plan covers the three required areas – livestock, people/vehicles/equipment, and animal health – you can use it for LPA. You do not need to complete another plan.
If you already use a state-based biosecurity plan, this could satisfy LPA if it covers the three LPA-required elements of biosecurity risk. For example, QLD’s biosecurity management plan meets these requirements.
Floods and fires can spread pests and diseases. Review and update your plan to include these risks. If your property is affected, ensure you keep records of any feed introduced and which livestock received it. If your livestock have strayed to neighbouring properties, consider the pest, disease and biosecurity risks before bringing them home. The farm biosecurity plan template lists recommended practices to consider.
Some risks, such as feral animal incursions, can be outside your control. Note the risk in your plan, along with how you will manage it. This is important information to show if your property is selected for a random LPA audit.