Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and Australia's director of Biosecurity, Andrew Metcalfe AO, said producers, researchers and community groups are doing vital work to help protect Australia's biosecurity.

"Biosecurity risks are becoming more complex and harder to manage for many reasons, including the increasing spread of pests and diseases overseas and an increase in cargo and mail volumes," Metcalfe said.

"Australia's biosecurity system protects $50 billion in inbound tourism, $64 billion in agricultural exports and 1.6 million Australian jobs.

"It safeguards our human, animal and plant health against potentially devastating exotic pests and diseases such as foot and mouth disease which would be devastating for our livestock industries if it were to reach our shores.

"The Australian Biosecurity Awards highlight the incredible and diverse work of Australians who maintain and improve Australia's biosecurity system in the face of increasing and evolving threats."

Last year's winners include a biosecurity team that helped thwart the illegal import and sale of prickly-pear cactus into Queensland, a nursery whose biosecurity innovation improved business quality and efficiency, and an industry, community and government partnership that is managing fruit fly and plant health in Victoria.

There are eight award categories in 2022:

• Education Award
• Environmental Biosecurity Award
• Industry Award
• Dr David Banks Biosecurity Lifetime Achievement Award
• Dr Kim Ritman Award for Science and Innovation
• Government Award
• Community Award
• Farm Biosecurity Producer of The Year Award — jointly presented with Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia.

Nominations close on 22 August and winners will be announced in November. For more information on the 2022 Australian Biosecurity Awards, including how to submit a nomination, visit: agriculture.gov.au/ABA