Australia is under constant threat from new invasive species hitching a ride into the country in container ships, in planes or even people's luggage.
As long as Australia has weak biosecurity laws dangerous new environmental invaders will continue to steal into our country. They come in many forms, as weedy garden species, hidden in cargo ships or even brought in and sold as ‘pets’.
In the invasion timeline below we’ve listed new invasive species we know have been found in Australia since 2000, but there may be many more. Let us know if you know of others, firstly since you may be the first to have seen the invader since most detections rely on a vigilant public. Secondly, our list relies heavily on unofficial reports as there is no requirement for government to report known detections.
Detected in Perth (Cloverdale). A single toad was found in Cloverdale, which is just 10km east of Perth city and close to Perth Airport. The Asian black-spined toad is the cooler climate version of the cane toad that is devastating northern Australia. Despite being slightly smaller it has the same poison glands and a voracious appetite. No sign of other Asian black-spined toads has been found so far.
Detected in Queensland (Brisbane airport). Fire ants dominate their environment, displacing native ants and killing small mammals.
Detected in Victoria (Geelong). Introduced preying mantis are difficult to distinguish from native Australian mantis, but the Australian Museum’s mantis expert Graham Milledge identified it as a South African praying mantis, Miomantis caffra. This mantis has spread to New Zealand, where it is known as the ‘springbok mantis’. Although New Zealanders do not consider it a pest there are fears it could be displacing native mantis species. The mantis was given a low impact risk assessment.
Detected in NSW (Belrose). A single toad was captured in the garden of a veterinary clinic. Thought to be brought in with a neighbour's shipping container of relocated furniture from Singapore. The toad was euthanised. The Asian black-spined toad is the cooler climate version of the cane toad. No sign of other Asian black-spined toads have been found.
Detected in the Northern Territory (Darwin Port). Browsing ants form super-colonies, reaching large numbers. They farm and protect scale insects that can eventually kill the plants they live on, and they eat and displace native ant species as well as other insects. A national cost-shared eradication program is underway.
Detected on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a territory of Australia. The federal government is funding its eradication.
Detected in Queensland (Brisbane airport). Fire ants dominate their environment, displacing native ants and killing small mammals.
Detected in Victoria (Sunbury). A single toad was found in a dog’s water bowl in a resident’s backyard. The toad was euthanised. The Asian black-spined toad is the cooler climate version of the cane toad. No sign of other Asian black-spined toads have been found.
Detected in NSW (Sydney, Port Botany). Fire ants dominate their environment, displacing native ants and killing small mammals. It is presumed they were accidentally introduced via cargo. A rapid and effective response resulted in a high confidence that there are no further nests within the 2km surveillance zone.
Detected in Queensland. Fire ants dominate their environment, displacing native ants and killing small mammals. They were accidentally introduced via cargo. A national, cost-sharing eradication program is in place.
Detected in Western Australia. Their potential environmental impacts are unknown. It is presumed they were accidentally introduced via cargo. The Australian Government is carrying out an eradication program.
Detected in Victoria. Smooth newts compete with and prey on native frogs and fish, as well as other species. They could be toxic to native predators. They were likely introduced illegally into Victorian waterways by a pet keeper. Surveys have been undertaken but a national eradication proposal was rejected.
Detected in Queensland. This invasive wasp is likely to infect native plants. It was introduced via natural or human movement from Papua New Guinea. It is under containment.
Detected in South Australia. This outbreak killed more than 69 bottlenosed and common dolphins. How it arrived in South Australia is unknown. The South Australian government and other institutions investigated.
Multiple detections in Queensland and NSW dating back to 2001. Yellow crazy ants displace native ants and kill small animals. They have led to an ecosystem meltdown on Christmas Island. They were most likely introduced in timber on cargo. They have been eradicated in NSW but eradication in Queensland has been abandoned, except for the Wet Tropics thanks to federal government funding.
Detected in NSW. This spider mite damages native plants. How it arrived in NSW is unknown. There is no information on what action was taken.
Detected in the Northern Territory. A disease that may infect native bananas. Its introduction source is unknown. There is a national eradication program.
Detected in Western Australia. This marine pest was introduced via biofouling, the term used to describe organisms that grow on ships and marine equipment. Its environmental impacts are unknown. No action was taken, eradication was seen as unfeasible.
Detected in Victoria. This plant pathogen may infect native plants. Its source is unknown. No action was taken, eradication was seen as unfeasible.
Detected in Victoria. This plant pathogen may infect native plants. Its source is unknown. No action was taken, eradication was seen as unfeasible.
Detected in Victoria. A viral infection that potentially infects a wide range of native bird species and carries a high rate of mortality. Probably introduced into Victoria via a smuggled bird species. Actions were taken to contain its spread.
Detected in South Australia. Unknown potential to infect native figs. How it arrived in South Australia is unknown. No action was taken, eradication was seen as unfeasible.
Detected in NSW. Myrtle rust infects hundreds of plant species belonging to the myrtle family, including threatened species. Its introduction into Australia was accidential via an unknown pathway. A national, cost-sharing eradication program was attempted and then abandoned.
Detected in the Northern Territory and Queensland. This fungal pathogen infects the Wrightia genus of flowering plants, two are known to be infected. Its introduction is presumed accidental. No action has been taken.
This oyster pathogen infects the exotic pacific oyster in Australia. It is unknown if it infects native oysters. How it was introduced is unknown. A containment program was put in place.
Detected in Victoria. The potential of this pathogenic fungus to infect Eucalyptus species is known. We do not know how it arrived in Victoria. It is under eradication.
Detected in NSW. This virus could infect native plants. How it arrived in NSW is unknown. A containment and eradication program was put in place by industry.
Detected in Victoria and Tasmania. The black slug is large and omnivorous, and could threaten native snails. Its introduction was accidental. No action was taken.
Detected in NSW. The environmental impacts of this invasive aquarium fish are unknown. Released from an aquarium, there is no information on any action taken.
Detected in NSW and the ACT. Mexican feathergrass can dominate woodlands and grasslands. Introduced illegally – mistakenly sold as a different plant species or bought on Ebay. It has been removed from sale, sold plants have been traced and some populations eradicated.
Detected in South Australia. The virus caused mass mortality of endangered southern bentwing bat pups. It is not known if it was introduced from overseas and no data can be found on actions taken.
Detected in the Torres Straits Islands. This herb native to South America competes with Australian native plants. It’s introduction is unknown and no data can be found on what action was taken.
Detected in NSW. This virus could infect native plants. How it arrived in NSW is unknown. A containment and eradication program was put in place by industry.
Detected in Queensland. An invasive mussel that is a threat to the Great Barrier Reef. It smothers and excludes other species. It was introduced via ‘biofouling’, the term used to describe organisms that grow on ships and marine equipment.
Detected in WA. Indian ringnecks compete with native parrots. They have either escaped from or been released by pet owners. They have been removed from the wild in WA but many live outside of captivity in eastern Australia. Multiple detections every year 2005-07.
Detected in Queensland, Victoria, the ACT and NSW. Red-eared slider turtles compete with native turtles and prey on native species. They are often smuggled into Australia and released into waterways by pet keepers. Queensland may have eradicated this species, eradication has not been attempted in NSW. Multiple detections every year 2004-07.
Queensland. Electric ants are a dominating species that displace native ants and kill small mammals. Introduced accidentally on cargo. A national, cost-sharing eradication program is in process.
Detected in Queensland. Fire ants dominate their environment, displacing native ants and killing small mammals. They were accidentally introduced via cargo. A national, cost-sharing eradication program is in place.
Detected on Norfolk Island. This invasive ant could threaten several rare birds. Introduction accidental, probably on cargo. Control has been undertaken and an eradication program began in 2014.
Torres Strait Island. Native to Asia where they are commercially fished climbing perch could have major impacts on native fish if it reaches the Australian mainland. How it arrived on the island is uncertain – it may be natural spread from Papua New Guinea or an illegal introduction.
Detected in NSW and the ACT. Mexican feathergrass can dominate woodlands and grasslands. Introduced illegally – mistakenly sold as a different plant species or bought on Ebay. It has been removed from sale, sold plants have been traced and some populations eradicated.
Detected in Queensland. This rainforest shrub can compete with native plants. Method of introduction unknown. A national, cost-sharing ‘Four Tropical Weeds’ eradication program was put in place but then halted in 2015.
Detected in NSW. An invasive bee it competes for resources, spreads disease, pollinates weeds and disrupts the pollination of native plants. Its introduction is presumed accidental, but is unknown. Surveys of this invasive species were undertaken in 2008 funded by philanthropy.
Detected in NSW. An aquarium fish known for its aggression and for displacing other species. Released from an aquarium. Eradication in 2005-05 was unsuccessful.
Detected on Lord Howe Island. An invasive ant that preys on invertebrate species, monopolising food and displacing native ants. Eradication started in 2008.
Detected in Queensland. This invasive rainforest shrub from tropical America can compete with native plants. Its introduction is unknown. An eradication program is in process.
Detected in NSW. An aquarium fish that is known for its aggression, predation and for carrying disease. Released from aquarium. Eradicated by the NSW government.
Detected in Queensland and NSW. Another aquarium fish known to compete with other species and to carry disease. Released from aqueria. Biological control failed, and a 2007 eradication proposal was not funded.
Detected in Queensland. An invasive mussel that is a threat to the Great Barrier Reef. It smothers and excludes other species. It was introduced via ‘biofouling’, the term used to describe organisms that grow on ships and marine equipment.
Detected in Victoria and Tasmania. The black slug is large and omnivorous, it could threaten native snails. Its introduction was accidental. No action was taken.
Detected in Victoria. Hybrid cichlids are an aquarium fish that compete with native species and carry disease. They were released from an aquarium. Action taken unknown.
Detected in Queensland. This weed forms dense thickets that smother native vegetation. The introduction was accidental introduction, possibly as a contaminant of packaging material. A national, cost-sharing ‘Four Tropical Weeds’ eradication program was put in place but then halted in 2015, the weed continues to spread.
Detected in Queensland. This is a serious, shallow-water weed that displaces native plants and animals. It also restricts water flow and traps silt. A national, cost-sharing ‘Four Tropical Weeds’ eradication program was put in place but then halted in 2015.
Detected in Queensland. Fire ants dominate their environment, displacing native ants and killing small mammals. They were accidentally introduced via cargo. A national, cost-sharing eradication program is in place.
Detected in Queensland and NSW. Carder bees pollinate weeds and promote their spread. The introduction is presumed accidental. No action was taken.
Detected in Victoria. Blue acaras are an aquarium fish that compete with native species and carry disease. They were released from an aquarium. Action taken unknown.
Multiple, unconfirmed sightings in Tasmania, Victoria and WA. Ferrets prey on native animals. Escaped pets.
Detected in the Northern Territory and Queensland. Jewel cichlids are an aquarium fish that compete with native species and carry disease. They were released from aquaria and eradicated from a creek near Darwin.
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.
Dear Project Team,
[YOUR PERSONALISED MESSAGE WILL APPEAR HERE.]
I support the amendment to the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan to allow our incredible National Parks staff to use aerial shooting as one method to rapidly reduce feral horse numbers. I want to see feral horse numbers urgently reduced in order to save the national park and our native wildlife that live there.
The current approach is not solving the problem. Feral horse numbers have rapidly increased in Kosciuszko National Park to around 18,000, a 30% jump in just the past 2 years. With the population so high, thousands of feral horses need to be removed annually to reduce numbers and stop our National Park becoming a horse paddock. Aerial shooting, undertaken humanely and safely by professionals using standard protocols, is the only way this can happen.
The government’s own management plan for feral horses states that ‘if undertaken in accordance with best practice, aerial shooting can have the lowest negative animal welfare impacts of all lethal control methods’.
This humane and effective practice is already used across Australia to manage hundreds of thousands of feral animals like horses, deer, pigs, and goats.
Trapping and rehoming of feral horses has been used in Kosciuszko National Park for well over a decade but has consistently failed to reduce the population, has delayed meaningful action and is expensive. There are too many feral horses in the Alps and not enough demand for rehoming for it to be relied upon for the reduction of the population.
Fertility control as a management tool is only effective for a small, geographically isolated, and accessible population of feral horses where the management outcome sought is to maintain the population at its current size. It is not a viable option to reduce the large and growing feral horse population in the vast and rugged terrain of Kosciuszko National Park.
Feral horses are trashing and trampling our sensitive alpine ecosystems and streams, causing the decline and extinction of native animals. The federal government’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee has stated that feral horses ‘may be the crucial factor that causes final extinction’ for 12 alpine species.
I recognise the sad reality that urgent and humane measures are necessary to urgently remove the horses or they will destroy the Snowies and the native wildlife that call the mountains home. I support a healthy national park where native species like the Corroboree Frog and Mountain Pygmy Possum can thrive.
Dear Project Team,
[YOUR PERSONALISED MESSAGE WILL APPEAR HERE.]
I support the amendment to the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan to allow our incredible National Parks staff to use aerial shooting as one method to rapidly reduce feral horse numbers. I want to see feral horse numbers urgently reduced in order to save the national park and our native wildlife that live there.
The current approach is not solving the problem. Feral horse numbers have rapidly increased in Kosciuszko National Park to around 18,000, a 30% jump in just the past 2 years. With the population so high, thousands of feral horses need to be removed annually to reduce numbers and stop our National Park becoming a horse paddock. Aerial shooting, undertaken humanely and safely by professionals using standard protocols, is the only way this can happen.
The government’s own management plan for feral horses states that ‘if undertaken in accordance with best practice, aerial shooting can have the lowest negative animal welfare impacts of all lethal control methods’.
This humane and effective practice is already used across Australia to manage hundreds of thousands of feral animals like horses, deer, pigs, and goats.
Trapping and rehoming of feral horses has been used in Kosciuszko National Park for well over a decade but has consistently failed to reduce the population, has delayed meaningful action and is expensive. There are too many feral horses in the Alps and not enough demand for rehoming for it to be relied upon for the reduction of the population.
Fertility control as a management tool is only effective for a small, geographically isolated, and accessible population of feral horses where the management outcome sought is to maintain the population at its current size. It is not a viable option to reduce the large and growing feral horse population in the vast and rugged terrain of Kosciuszko National Park.
Feral horses are trashing and trampling our sensitive alpine ecosystems and streams, causing the decline and extinction of native animals. The federal government’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee has stated that feral horses ‘may be the crucial factor that causes final extinction’ for 12 alpine species.
I recognise the sad reality that urgent and humane measures are necessary to urgently remove the horses or they will destroy the Snowies and the native wildlife that call the mountains home. I support a healthy national park where native species like the Corroboree Frog and Mountain Pygmy Possum can thrive.
