A general biosecurity direction is a direction that applies to the public generally or to a specified class of persons. A general biosecurity direction may be issued by publication on the NRE Tas website or in the Tasmanian Government Gazette. It is an offence for a person to contravene a biosecurity direction (penalty of 2500 penalty units for a body corporate and 500 penalty units for a natural person).
Below is a compiled list of all current general biosecurity directions that have been issued under section 192 of the Biosecurity Act 2019 and are currently in force. An archive of general biosecurity directions that have been issued but are no longer in force is also provided.
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus in South Australia - General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency)
Due to the detection of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in South Australia and Victoria, Biosecurity Tasmania's Chief Plant Protection Officer has put in place an emergency biosecurity direction to prevent the movement of ToBRFV host plants or materials from areas known to be infected with the virus. This emergency biosecurity direction is in addition to the movement controls in place at infected properties interstate.
General Biosecurity Direction Emergency Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (PDF 151Kb)
Bees, Apiary Products and Used Apiary Equipment - General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency)
Due to the ongoing threat of Varroa mite (Varroa destructor)
on Mainland Australia, the Chief Plant Protection Officer (Tasmania) has put in place
an extension to General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency) to further
prevent the introduction of this honeybee parasite into Tasmania.
This direction is in effect from 12:01 am 23 December 2025 and remains in effect for 6 months, unless it is revoked earlier.
General Biosecurity Direction Emergency Bees and apiary products used equipment (PDF 171Kb)
Primary Production of Abalone - General Biosecurity Direction
To assess, prevent, control or manage biosecurity risks in respect of the primary production of abalone, including (but not limited to) biosecurity risks posed by Haliotid herpesvirus, the pathogen responsible for Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis, Biosecurity Tasmania has issued the following General Biosecurity Direction (GBD) and Abalone live holding premises: Water treatment, sampling and testing protocol.
General Biosecurity Direction - Primary Production of Abalone (PDF 251Kb)
NRE Tas Abalone Live Holding Water Treatment Sampling Testing Protocol (PDF 221Kb)
Potato Mop Top Virus - General Biosecurity Direction
To support the ongoing management of Potato Mop Top Virus (PMTV) in Tasmania, Biosecurity Tasmania has issued a General Biosecurity Direction (GBD) detailing measures to slow the spread of the virus in Tasmania.
General Biosecurity Direction Potato Mop Top Virus (PDF 136Kb)
Apiaries
Expired Directions
General Biosecurity Direction - Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease - Issued 13/07/2022, expired 13/01/2023
General Biosecurity Direction - Small Hive Beetle - issued 8/03/2023, expired 21/04/2023
General Biosecurity Direction - Small Hive Beetle - issued 29/11/2023, revoked 22/04/2024
General Biosecurity Direction - Potato virus Y NTN Strain - issued 31/03/2023, expired 30/09/2023
General Biosecurity Direction - Livestock Traceability - issued 29 September 2022, revoked 19 May 2025