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Request for audit
Performance and financial audits of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's biosecurity programs and activities
Response provided
Responded: Tuesday 16 December 2025
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The Auditor-General responded on 16 December 2025 to correspondence from the Hon David Littleproud MP dated 4 December 2025, requesting that the Auditor-General undertake a performance and financial audit of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's biosecurity programs and activities since the 2023–24 Budget.
Auditor-General's response
16 December 2025
The Hon. David Littleproud MP
Shadow Minister for Agriculture
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
By email: David.Littleproud.MP@aph.gov.au
Dear Mr Littleproud
Performance and financial audits of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's biosecurity programs and activities
Thank you for your correspondence dated 4 December 2025 requesting a performance and financial audit of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's (DAFF) biosecurity programs and activities since the 2023–24 Budget.
I have considered the request made in your letter. I can advise that the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) is currently preparing the Annual Audit Work Program (AAWP) for 2026–27 and will consider potential audit work relating to biosecurity from a performance audit, performance statements audit and financial statements audit perspective.
The AAWP reflects the ANAO’s audit strategy and informs the Parliament, government entities and the public of the planned audit coverage for the Australian Government sector. The 2026–27 AAWP is expected to be published in early July 2026.
DAFF’s financial and performance statements are audited as part of the ANAO’s annual program of financial statements and performance statements audits. A performance audit of Cost recovery in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is also currently underway, and Auditor-General Report No. 8 2025–26, Compliance with Domestic and International Travel Requirements in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, was tabled in the Parliament on Monday 24 November 2025. A potential performance audit of Management of approved arrangements for the import of live animals is included in the AAWP for 2025-26.
Yours sincerely
Dr Caralee McLiesh PSM
Auditor-General
Correspondence from the Hon David Littleproud
Transcript of letter from the Hon David Littleproud
4 December 2025
Dr Caralee McLiesh PSM
Auditor-General
Australian National Audit Office
GPO Box 707
Canberra ACT 2601
Via email: ag1@anao.gov.au
Dear Dr Mcliesh
I write to request that the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) undertake a performance and financial audit of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry biosecurity programs and activities since the 2023-24 Budget.
The 2023-24 Budget included a commitment of $1.0 billion over 4 years from 2023-24 (and $268.1 million per year ongoing). The budget measure included $845.0 million to maintain biosecurity policy, operational and technical functions on a sustainable basis, including regulation, surveillance, domestic preparedness and response, and international engagement and capability development.
The Government's commitment included 'long-term, predictable and sustainable funding, coupled with increased equity and greater accountability and transparency...', and.an annual publication of biosecurity income and expenditure to provide transparency and accountability. The first two annual publications in 2023-24 and 2024-25 did not include a level of detail that provided transparency and accountability on the biosecurity programs and activities being funded.
The recent 2024-25 annual publication included expenditure by pathway which included 47 per cent at the border and 28 per cent for 'across the continuum activities'. Across continuum activities was defined as:
- Delivering whole-of-system strategy, engagement, business administration or law reform activities
- Includes costs that cannot be assigned to a specific stage.
Australia's biosecurity status is a high priority for the agriculture industry, the environment and for all Australian's way of life. Biosecurity is based on a risk-based approach and the activities put in place and the pests and diseases targeted are critical. Biosecurity risks to Australia also continue to increase with increased travel and trade, and movement of diseases closer to Australia such as foot and mouth disease.
It is timely to undertake this audit, to also assist with reporting transparency on current and future biosecurity programs. The 5-year review of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (20 August 2025) by Dr Michele Allan AO released on 20 August 2025 ascertained that there is a need for greater transparency of national biosecurity funding and the activities conducted using this funding. The review recommended implementing the National Biosecurity Action Plan's 'Sustainable Investment' as priority which includes new public reporting of funding and expenditure by governments and industry.
The recent ANAO audit on the biosecurity workforce and the lack of implementation by the Department of recommendations when questioned at senate estimates has been concerning. In addition, the three reports by the Inspector-General of Biosecurity (7 November 2025) also have concerning findings that is putting Australia's biosecurity status at risk.
Biosecurity is of national importance, and this audit will assist ensure that Australia implements the strongest biosecurity system for Australia's future.
I look forward to your response.
Your sincerely
David Littleproud MP
Shadow Minister for Agriculture