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Our Wins

We have a proud history of standing up to protect Australia's incredible natural world from the multiple threats of dangerous pests, weeds and diseases.

Impacts

NATIONAL

  • In 2025, we won $700,000 from the Australian Government for trout-free havens for 5 critically endangered native fish species.
  • In 2024, we won a historic national feral cat plan, the first time all states and territories (except for Qld) are working together.
  • In 2024, we won almost $100 million in federal funding to strengthen biosecurity preparations against the new deadly bird flu (H5N1) to save Australia’s birds and native mammals.
  • In 2024, we won a total of $593 million (including $268 million federal government funding in 2023) for the eradication of fire ants.
  • In 2023, we secured the National Deer Action Plan. This includes a cross-jurisdictional containment strategy to stop the westward spread of deer from eastern Australia. The plan has been adopted by all states and territory governments.
  • In 2023, we secured an agreement for federal biosecurity and environmental agencies to strengthen preparations for the potential arrival in Australia of the new strain of bird flu (H5N1) to defend our birds and native mammals.
  • In 2023, the federal government announced $268 million funding towards the eradication of fire ants.
  • In 2022, funding commitments we won at the federal election were delivered in the national budget: $25M for Queensland’s yellow crazy ant eradication programs, $10M to tackle gamba grass in Northern Territory.
  • In 2021, we won a commitment by state, territory and federal government to make 2020’s the Decade of Biosecurity, to build a stronger system to protect all Australians.
  • In 2018 we secured the appointment of a Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer, a permanent role within the federal government with a dedicated focus on the environment, largely working to prevent invasive threats from arriving and establishing in Australia.
  • In 2017 we secured $411 million in a 10-year commitment to eradicate red fire ants from S.E. Queensland and stop their spread across Australia, the world’s most ambitious ant eradication program.
  • In 2012, the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation instituted a requirement for risk assessment prior to research projects being initiated, preventing new industries being setup that would rely on growing invasive weeds or farming pest animals. They have since reneged. More work is needed here.
  • In 2009, the federal government rejected an application to import bumblebees for horticulture.
  • A 2014 review of weed management in NSW recommended a ban on the sale of weedy plants by plant nurseries. Secured a promise to implement this recommendation from the NSW Labor Opposition prior to the 2014 and 2019 elections.
  • A 2009 national review of Australia’s environmental law recommended national reform to regulate environmental weeds.

REGIONAL

  • In 2025, we protected NSW’s Kosciuszko National Park from feral horses with population numbers now down to 3000-4000, as a result of our advocacy around aerial shooting.
  • In 2025, we advocated for increased resources in the Australian Capital Territory, resulting in a 33% boost in national park rangers dedicated to environmental conservation and invasive species management.
  • In 2024, we protected Blue Mountains World Heritage as well as Barrington Tops National Park and the surrounding World Heritage Gondwana Rainforests from feral horses, as a result of our advocacy around aerial shooting.
  • In 2024, we protected Tasmania’s Walls of Jerusalem National Park in the Wilderness World Heritage Area from feral deer.
  • In 2024, our campaigning around the Queensland election helped secure: 150 new national park rangers; a $117.84 million boost to natural resource management (NRM); 100 additional Biosecurity Officers and a $50 million increase to Biosecurity Queensland funding.
  • In 2023, we overturned of the ban on shooting feral horses in Kosciusko National Park.
  • In 2023, we won commitments from the incoming NSW Labor government that are now being implemented, including: 100 new National Parks and Wildlife Service pest and weed officers; an independent biosecurity commission; a permitted list to stop the sale of weedy plants through nurseries; a commitment to reduce feral horse numbers in Kosciuszko National Park to 3000 by 2027; a comprehensive independent inquiry into invasive species management in NSW.
  • In 2022, we secured an ongoing commitment from the Victorian government to control feral horses in national parks in the High Country.
  • In 2022, protected Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area from feral deer by securing a commitment in the Tasmanian governments deer strategy to keep the WHA deer free.
  • In 2021, protected Kosciuszko National Park from a growing plague of feral horses by winning a new NSW plan to actively manage feral horses from 14,000 to 3000 by 2026.
  • In 2019, we won the official designation for feral deer to be recognised as a priority pest and the removal of feral deer protected status in NSW allowing for effective feral deer management.
  • From 2022 - 2016 Protecting Queensland's Wet Tropics World Heritage Area from Yellow crazy ants which are now in retreat with an eradication program in place for the tropical far north in Cairns.
  • In 2021, won a stronger feral horses plan for Victoria’s Alpine National Park which utilises the full suite of control measures to drive down feral horse numbers (including ground and aerial shooting) and aims to eliminate them from the sensitive alpine ecosystems on the Bogong High Plains, working with Victorian National Parks Association.
  • In 2020, secured a new Victorian deer management strategy that prioritises the environment following years of pressure and collaboration.
  • In 2020 secured $18M over 4 years in Victorian government investment for on-ground feral deer control as part of the new deer management strategy.
  • In 2013 defeated a proposal for recreational hunting in national parks and brought about the abolition of the NSW Game Council, working with the National Parks Association of NSW.
  • The Invasive Species Council played an important role in the successful National Parks Association of NSW campaign to defeat recreational hunting in national parks and the abolition of the NSW Game Council in 2013.
  • In 2011, successfully lobbied to stop research trials of giant reed in SA, promoted as a major biofuel crop and listed by the IUCN on the list of 100 of the world’s worst invasive species
  • In 2008, won a Queensland Government declaration and banning of one of Australia’s worst weeds – bushfire causing gamba grass.
  • Our work in 2004 led to the Queensland Government declaring Mexican bean tree (Cecropia spp.), which is on the IUCN list of 100 of the world’s worst invasive species, as a weed species.

Successes

  • In 2024, we won a Senate inquiry into fire ants in Australia which recommended a long-term commitment to eradication, more research funding and greater community education. The recommendations were unanimously supported by the cross-party Senate committee, the first time fire ant eradication enjoyed multi-party support.
  • In 2023, we won a Senate inquiry into management of feral horses and other hard-hoofed invasive species in Australia’s national heritage-listed Australian Alps. A key recommendation was to adopt aerial shooting which led to federal and state support of this essential control method.
  • In 2021 we won a Senate inquiry into the impact of feral deer, pigs and goats. This report called for national declaration of feral deer as a pest which enables more coordinated and effective control.This led to the first national deer action plan.
  • In 2019 and 2022, co-hosted Australia’s 1st and 2nd Biosecurity Symposium - an unprecedented opportunity to foster new collaborations and transform Australia’s future biosecurity system to better protect our economy, environment and way of life.
  • In 2020, initiated the formation of a powerful alliance representing agricultural and environmental interests – the Biosecurity Collective – to create the Biosecurity 2030 Project that confronts Australia’s unprecedented biosecurity challenges.
  • In 2017, succeeded in pushing the NSW government to publish Australia’s first ever State of Biosecurity Report.
  • In 2014, the Invasive Species Council won a Senate inquiry into environmental biosecurity. The report, released in May 2015, referred to Invasive Species Council evidence 85 times and was the precursor to environmental biosecurity needs being elevated to that of human health and agriculture.
  • From 2013 - 2004, the Invasive Species Council influenced a senate inquiry on weeds and pests (2004), a review of quarantine and biosecurity (2008), a review of federal environmental laws (2009), a House of Representatives Inquiry on climate change and biodiversity (2013), and a senate inquiry into threatened species and communities (2013).

Achievements

  • The Invasive Insects Risks and Pathways Project developed Australia’s first assessment of non-native insect species that pose a high risk to the environment. The comprehensive assessment of potential impacts, completed in partnership with Monash University, identified exotic insect species that have the potential to cause major harm to the natural environment if they ever reach Australia.
  • In 2020, developed a 10-year plan to eradicate yellow crazy ants from the Townsville area.
  • In 2007, the Invasive Species Council was the first NGO in the world to focus attention on serious weed risks of proposed biofuel crops.

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The Invasive Species Council was formed in 2002 to seek stronger laws, policies and programs to protect nature from harmful pests, weeds and diseases.

The Invasive Species Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Australia and their connections to land and sea. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

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