Reporting Biosecurity Threats

Myrtle Rust (Austropuccinia psidii) Photo: Pete Woodall CC BY NC

Report an invasive species

Reports from the public are critical to keeping Australia safe from invasive species. Pests and diseases can spread quickly over large distances and early reporting gives biosecurity managers the best chance of containing biosecurity threats before they spread. If you suspect you've seen an invasive species of biosecurity concern, record and report it.

For information on notifiable pests and diseases visit:

Moon cactus, white flower with green foliage

Figure 1. Moon cactus (Harrisia martinii) Photo: Sara Young CC BY NC

How to report an invasive species

There are three ways to report a potential invasive species, via an app, online form or phone call.
In all cases biosecurity agencies request a photo, location and, if possible, a sample of the pest/weed/disease.

Option 1.

Using a smartphone, log a sighting on a citizen science app compatible with ALA's Biosecurity Alerts Service:

Or other partner apps of the ALA

Option 2.

Fill out the online form on the Commonwealth's Reporting portal.

Option 3.

Call the relevant biosecurity hotline:

Exotic Plant Pest Hotline: 1800 084 881 (plant pests and diseases, weeds and bees)
Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888 (sick livestock, poultry and aquatic animals)

More information

Learn more about our campaign to promote myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii)
Learn more about ALA's Biosecurity programs and partnerships
For more information, contact support@ala.org.au

Invasive Species

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) — Red Fox (*Vulpes vulpes*)
Photo: KHarrison CC NY NC

European Wasp (Vespula germanica) — European Wasp (*Vespula germanica*)
Photo: Lynn Craggs CC BY NC

Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius) — Dromedary Camel (*Camelus dromedarius*)
Photo: Yingyod Lapwong CC BY NC

Water Hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) — Water Hyacinth (*Pontederia crassipes*)
Photo: EmmaFallon01 CC BY NC

Red-Eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) — Red-Eared slider (*Trachemys scripta elegans*)
Photo: rgm66 CC BY NC

European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) — European Rabbit (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*)
Photo: Roxanne Lazarus CC BY NC

Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) — Annual ryegrass (*Lolium rigidum*)
Photo: Leithalb CC BY NC

Marmorated Brown Stinkbug (Halyomorpha halys) — Marmorated Brown Stinkbug (*Halyomorpha halys*)
Photo: Elaine Parker CC BY NC

Black Rat (Rattus rattus) — Black Rat (*Rattus rattus*)
Photo: Gillbsydney CC BY NC

Chess grasses (Bromus spp) — Chess grasses (*Bromus spp*)
Photo: James Bailey CC BY NC

Dengue Mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) — Dengue Mosquitoes (*Aedes aegypti*)
Photo: Lavandulan CC BY NC

Donkey (Equus asinus) — Donkey (*Equus asinus*)
Photo: Julius Simonellie CC BY NC

Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) — Red Imported Fire Ant (*Solenopsis invicta*)
Photo: A Rector CC BY NC

Long-Fruited Wild Turnip (Brassica tournefortii) — Long-Fruited Wild Turnip (*Brassica tournefortii*)
Photo: Ellura Sanctuary CC BY NC

Medflies (Ceratitis capitata) — Medflies (*Ceratitis capitata*)
Photo: Fay Arcaro CC BY NC

Record a sighting

Upload your observations, identify species, and contribute to the ALA.

Explore the Spatial Portal

Visualise and analyse relationships between species, location and environment.

The ALA is made possible by contributions from its partners, is supported by NCRIS, is hosted by CSIRO, and is the Australian node of GBIF.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and Country

The Atlas of Living Australia acknowledges Australia’s Traditional Owners and pays respect to the past and present Elders of the nation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We honour and celebrate the spiritual, cultural and customary connections of Traditional Owners to country and the biodiversity that forms part of that country.