The Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards are presented to individuals, organisations or businesses that have significantly contributed to the support, maintenance or improvement of biosecurity systems within Tasmania.
Biosecurity is foundational to Tasmania's economic, cultural, and natural values and we all share the benefits of our strong biosecurity system as it:
underpins our multi-billion-dollar agri-food production and export industries, and
helps to protect our unique flora, fauna and ecosystems that are of immeasurable value to Tasmanians, including our First Nations peoples, the original and ongoing custodians of Land and Sea Country, as well as visitors to our state.
The Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards:
spotlight outstanding biosecurity projects, contributions and/or advocacy
represent a platform to reinforce, recognise and promote positive biosecurity behavioural change in our industries and the Tasmanian community
recognise those in our communities and industries who have gone above and beyond to help protect our future and deliver a sustainable Tasmania.
Biosecurity Tasmania has hosted the awards annually since 2023.
Award categories
There are two categories in the Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards:
Nominations are assessed by an panel comprised of both government and independent experts.
Nominations are submitted via the online Nomination Form. Nominations close midnight 31 August 2025.
Award criteria
The Community Biosecurity Award and the Industry Biosecurity Award each have their own criteria:
Community Award:
The Community Award recognises individuals, groups, organisations and associations that make a significant contribution to the development or delivery of biosecurity initiatives for the Tasmanian Community.
| Significantly contribute to the support, maintenance and/or improvement of biosecurity systems within Tasmania, including protection of animal and plant health, or community, natural and/or cultural values.
Increase biosecurity awareness and education within their networks and communities. Report activities or events that may be of biosecurity concern. Identify, report or contribute to the management of pest or disease outbreaks or incursions.
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Industry Award:
The Industry Award recognises individuals, groups, organisations, and associations that have demonstrated a significant contribution to maintaining or improving biosecurity practices for Tasmania’s primary industries and/or other key industries such as tourism, transport, logistics, infrastructure and utilities.
| Significantly contribute to the support, maintenance or improvement of biosecurity systems within Tasmania including the development or negotiation of market access and trade, or protection of economic, natural and/or cultural values. Increase biosecurity awareness and education within their operations and industry sector. Report activities or events that may be of biosecurity concern. Identify, report or contribute to the management of pest or disease outbreaks or incursions.
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2025 Tasmanian Biosecurity Award winners
Tasmanian Commmunity Biosecurity Award Winner: Lalani Hyatt
Lalani has a leadership role in Landcare Tasmania’s Rainbow Lorikeet Management Group (RLMG). This volunteer group is dedicated to the ongoing management of invasive rainbow lorikeets in Tasmania, with the aim of eventually eradicating this introduced pest species from our state.
If rainbow lorikeets were to become fully established in Tasmania it would result in high levels of food and nest competition with our threatened and endemic species, such as swift parrots, blue-winged parrots and green rosellas. In the agricultural sector, rainbow lorikeets are a major pest for fruit growers and can lead to significantly higher operational costs and lower crop yields.
Lalani is working to spread awareness of the importance of reporting and removing rainbow lorikeets from the wild, including giving talks at community events and advocating for more resources for control, as well as engaging with farmers, shooters and landowners to increase statewide volunteer removal efforts.
Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award Winner: Nathan Saunders, Elders Rural Services Tasmania
Nathan has supported the Tasmanian livestock industry with the new mandatory sheep and goat electronic identification (eID) requirements that came into effect on 1 January 2025. This passion resulted in an invitation to join the Tasmanian Sheep and Goat eID Taskforce, ensuring that the practical realities from farms and agencies were considered prior to the release of the new requirements.
Nathan has also helped to deliver workshops supporting farmers and agents with various aspects of the transition to eID, including explaining updated requirements and how to implement or adapt gear and systems. Nathan’s work has helped to strengthen industry confidence and set producers and agents up for compliance with the modern systems Tasmania needs for biosecurity and traceability.
You can read about previous winners here.