Biosecurity Officer - Career Advice - Government and Defence

Agricultural Inspector
Apiary Inspector

Biosecurity officers, Quarantine officers or Quarantine inspectors, work at checkpoints across Australia to prevent unwanted pests, weeds and diseases being brought into Australia or State/Territory. Future Growth Strong

They control the movement of agricultural and horticultural produce, and examine incoming and outgoing animals, plants, food, humans and machinery.

They may screen and inspect mail parcels, baggage, cargo containers and ships entering Australia.

They identify anything that poses a biosecurity risk and these items may be confiscated or destroyed.

Biosecurity officers examine imported plants, animals and products (timber, seeds and dried fruits, for example) and make quarantine arrangements where necessary.

They may also play an educational role in advising farmers about disease management, health regulations, and the implications of breaches of regulations.

ANZSCO ID: 5995

Alternative names: Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspector; Quarantine inspector; Agricultural Inspector

Knowledge, skills and attributes Biosecurity Officer

A biosecurity officer needs:

sound knowledge of pests and diseases
good verbal and written communication skills
strong analytical and research skills
to be observant with attention to detail
good organisational and problem solving skills
the ability to remain calm and patient in high pressure situations
to be able to work independently and as part of a team.

Working conditions

Biosecurity officers work in airports, ports, mail centres, in the field, and at border crossings throughout Australia. They may also work inspecting aircrafts, or vessels in open water. Biosecurity officers may be required to travel between locations or work in regional areas.

Biosecurity officers may need to work shiftwork, including weekends and public holidays.

Tools and Technologies

Biosecurity officers use equipment such as X-ray machines to screen mail parcels and baggage, and detector dogs are used to locate materials that pose a quarantine risk. They may also administer special treatments, tests and washes on livestock entering into the state. Biosecurity officers use computers to perform research, write reports, and produce documentation to record the movement of agricultural products.

Biosecurity sign

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a biosecurity officer you must first become an employee of either a Department of Agriculture and Food or a Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in any State or Territory.

You will then be required to undertake a VET qualification in government and will be provided with training on the job.

Applicants must be an Australian citizen, and need to hold a current National Police Certificate, pass medical checks, and may also need to hold a driver’s licence to drive manual vehicles.

Completing a bachelor degree in agricultural science, biological sciences, animal science or a related area may improve your employment chances in obtaining a specialist role.

Most universities in Australia offer relevant courses.

Biosecurity Officer at Port Macquarie getting rid of the highly invasive aquatic weed, Kidney-leaf mud plantain. February 2020
(Source: Port Macquarie News)

Did You Know?

Biosecurity has played a critical role in reducing risk and shaping our nation to become one of the few countries in the world to remain free from the world’s most severe pests and diseases.

While our geographical isolation has played a key role in maintaining this status, our isolation as an island nation is rapidly changing as the barriers of time and distance become less relevant and international travel and trade increase.

With more than 60 000 kilometres of coastline offering a variety of pathways for exotic pests and diseases, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources screens, inspects and clears the millions of people, mail parcels, baggage, ships, animals, plants and cargo containers entering Australia every year using x–ray machines, surveillance, and, of course, the instantly recognisable detector dogs.

Australia works across the whole biosecurity continuum with offshore, at the border and onshore measures. The department uses a range of sophisticated technologies and approaches including, research, shared international resources and intelligence, to help prevent the introduction and spread of disease. Surveillance and monitoring of risk areas is also critical along with border control activities, which focus on assessing and managing potential biosecurity threats at Australia’s airports, seaports, and international mail centres.

Today, biosecurity controls at Australia’s borders minimise the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering Australia and protect our $32 billion agriculture export industries as well as our unique environment, native flora and fauna, our tourism industries and lifestyle.
(Source: Department of Agriculture and Water Resources)

Agricultural inspectors inspect agricultural assets, processing equipment, and facilities, and aquaculture and timber operations, to ensure regulations and laws concerning health, quality, and safety are being adhered to. Future Growth Static

ANZSCO ID: 311313

Knowledge, skills and attributes

To become an agricultural inspector, you should have:

knowledge and experience of agriculture
good communication skills
good observation and problem-solving skills
fairness and reliability
tact and diplomacy
up-to-date knowledge of relevant laws
You may be required to be able to handle animals confidently and humanely

Duties and Tasks

Agricultural inspectors make sure that the food we eat is safe and of a high quality. They are responsible for checking plants, animals and produce at farms, businesses and food processing plants, and could work for a variety of government inspection agencies.

They may also inspect storage, shipping and aircraft facilities to ensure they meet hygiene and quality standards, and export requirements.

Working conditions

Agricultural inspectors will usually work full-time, which may include weekends and shift work. Inspectors are usually office based, but the job involves frequent travel, and you would spend at least half of your time visiting workplaces. There may be occasional overnight stays away from home.

If you are working with animals, conditions on some visits can be noisy and dirty, and you should be able to cope with strong smells. You may need to wear protective clothing for some jobs.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become an agricultural inspector, you usually have to complete a VET qualification in the relevant industry area – for example, meat processing (meat safety). You may be able to study through distance education.

As a quarantine inspector, you must be an employee of the federal Department of Agriculture & Water Resources. Once employed, you must complete on-the-job training.

Employment Opportunities

Employment of agricultural inspectors fell over the last few years, and the number of new job openings is expected to continue to be low.

Apiary Inspectors inspect apiaries for the detection and control of contagious diseases and mite parasites.

Work involves seasonal activities in the detection, proper diagnosis and control of contagious diseases of bees and the tracing of sources of infection in an assigned area. Apiary Inspectors work with beekeepers, demonstrating methods of controlling and preventing the spread of bee diseases. Work is outlined by a supervisor and may include instructions pertaining to special investigations or inspections. Work is checked by inspection and review of reports.

Apiary Inspectors at work
(Source: Honey Bee) Future Growth Very Strong

ANZSCO ID: N/A August 2025

Alternative names: Apiary Officer,

Number one on the least-wanted list for the Bee and Honey Industry is Varroa destructor, a pinhead-sized, blood-sucking mite that has devastated hives around the globe.
(Source: ABC News 2020)

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Knowledge of bee-culture and of prevalent bee diseases and necessary control measures.
Legal Comprehension: ability to comprehend and learn the Apiary Act.
Pest and Disease Control: a strong understanding of common bee pests and diseases and the ability to implement control measures.
Biosecurity: Knowledge of biosecurity regulations and best practices to prevent the spread of disease.
Ability to handle bees without gloves in order to prevent spreading bee diseases. An inspector must be able to tolerate being stung repeatedly.
Record-Keeping: Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills are crucial for inspections and reports. An ability to maintain records and to compile reports.
Ability to establish effective contacts with beekeepers, and to present information relating to bee-culture and disease control.
Physical Fitness: the ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and perform physically demanding tasks.
Communication: strong communication skills are needed to work with beekeepers, conduct training, and collaborate with teams.
Travel: a valid driver's license and a willingness to travel extensively are often required

Bee with Yarroa Mite
Varroa destructor is a distinctive-looking small mite, around 1mm in diameter. it is reddish-brown colour and can be seen with the naked eye.

Varroa destructor is an external parasitic mite that attacks European honey bees and the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana). This mite is thought to be one of the greatest threats to our honey and honey bee pollination plant industries.

The mite attaches itself to the bee and feeds on them. It weakens them and kills colonies. European honey bees infested with varroa are likely to die within 3 to 4 years if left untreated. The mite also transmits honey bee viruses.

If the mite established here, we could lose most wild European honey bee nests. We would also lose managed hives that are not adapted to Varroa mite. This would significantly reduce pollination and result in estimated losses of over $70 million a year.
(Source: Outbreak)

Hives to be destroyed in Kempsey area
Hives will be destroyed in the Kempsey area after a Varroa Mite detection - August 2023
(Source: ABC News)

Below is an example of physical destruction methods to eradicate the Yarroa Mite.

An example of ‘drone uncapping’ from New Zealand. Drone larvae and pupae (Varroa mites’ preferred prey) are mechanically extracted from brood frames to check for mites. The red-brown mites are easy to detect among white larvae and pupae; three mites are visible here.

[FCM: doesn't the uncapping implement look dirty!]
Photo: Kiwimana.co.nz 2011
(Source: Honey Bee)

Duties and Tasks

Visits beekeepers and inspects honey bee colonies
Checks compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations.
Promotes the prevention and control of communicable disease among honey bees.
Advises and directs the disposal of infected apiary equipment according to existing rules and regulations.
Issues reports of apiary inspections and maintains records.
Reports violators of law, rules or regulations.
Performs related work as required.

Hive Inspections
NSW Yarroa Mite distribution
Spread of Yarroa Mite in NSW - August 2024
(Source: DPI)

Working conditions

Apiary Inspectors or Officers have to be fully protected with beekeeper's uniform. They conduct bee biosecurity inspections when they visit horticultural operations across the State (where they are employed).

During these visits, the officers performed hundreds of brood inspections to assess colony health, conducted drone uncapping (image above) and alcohol washing for external mite surveillance, and collected honey samples for American foulbrood (AFB) and European foulbrood (EFB) testing. Some parts of Australia remain free from EFB and this testing was for surveillance only.

The officers also completed compliance checks for registration, branding, and apiary signage, which are all requirements of the Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice.

Lack of branding or failure to strike-out former brands was one of the more common issues. Beekeepers are reminded that these offences carry penalties as branding hives is a legal requirement. Correct branding is crucial for identification of ownership and helps biosecurity officers to trace outbreaks during an incident.
Dead-out hives in the apiary was another issue for the Apiary Inspectors. There can be issues around swarming, queenlessness and/or understrength colonies - common beekeeping challenges. However, dead outs, delivered by paid, professional beekeepers are disturbing discoveries.
Exposed, used hives are a biosecurity risk. It is an offence to leave hives, parts of hives including frames, combs, honey or beeswax, or appliances containing honey exposed to robber bees. Diseases, such as AFB, can quickly spread through bees robbing from these exposed materials.

Tools and technologies

Apiary Inspectors have been trained in specialised visualisation skills as well as the availability of miticides, sticky mats, icinging sugar (sticks to mites legs and they can't hold onto the bee), and mite alcohol washes - and that's just for the varroa mite. There are other virus and diseases that Apiary Officers /Inspectors look for within bee hives.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become an Apiary Inspector in Australia, you typically need a Certificate III in Beekeeping or significant equivalent experience in beekeeping, including hive management, pest and disease control, and biosecurity from TAFE.

You'll also require skills in record-keeping, physical fitness, and the ability to travel. Specific requirements can vary by employer and state, so it's best to check with local authorities and educational providers for the most current information.

One year of experience as a beekeeper or in related work affording a knowledge of bee handling and bee disease or Diploma or Degree, majoring in a biological field including a course in apiculture; or 6 months beekeeping experience and a beekeeping short course.

Certificate III in Beekeeping (AHC31818): This is a common qualification that covers the essential knowledge and skills needed for beekeeping, including establishing apiaries, managing bees for honey, and controlling pests and diseases.

Equivalent Experience: In some cases, a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in beekeeping can substitute for formal qualifications.

Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities for Apiary Inspectors in Australia are limited but exist primarily through state and territory governments and large commercial operations, with roles focusing on bee health, disease management, and regulatory compliance, rather than the more numerous commercial beekeeping positions for hive management.

The above statement was made at one of the Apiarist Inspectors sites but the ongoing problem with the Varroa mites might mean that the various Government Biosecurity Departments will need more experienced Apiary Inspectors.

Agricultural Consultant	Agricultural Scientist	Beekeeper	Border Force Officer
Cargo Manager	Crop Farmer	Farmer	Fisheries Officer
Harbour Master	Packer	Pest & Weed Controller	Primary Products Inspector
Public Servant	Supply, Distribution & Procurement Manager	Waterside Worker	Workplace Health and Safety Officer