Product Overview

Summary: This Non-native Species Integration Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, WHS-aligned approach for introducing, handling and managing non-native plants or animals in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations control biosecurity, environmental and worker safety risks while demonstrating due diligence under Australian legislation and industry best practice.

Introducing non-native species into Australian workplaces—whether for research, aquaculture, horticulture, education, conservation programs or controlled field trials—carries a unique mix of safety, environmental and reputational risks. This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, defensible framework for assessing, planning and managing non-native species activities so that worker safety, biosecurity controls and environmental protection are all addressed in a single integrated process.

The procedure guides you through risk assessment, containment requirements, transport and handling protocols, decontamination practices, emergency response and record-keeping. It supports compliance with Australian WHS duties, biosecurity obligations and relevant state and territory environmental legislation, while giving staff practical, step-by-step instructions they can actually follow in the field, lab or facility. By implementing this SOP, organisations can significantly reduce the likelihood of harmful escapes, injuries, disease transmission, community complaints and enforcement action, while maintaining the integrity of research, breeding or operational programs involving non-native species.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, auditable approach to planning and conducting work involving non-native species across all sites and projects.
• Reduce the risk of worker exposure to zoonotic diseases, allergens and physical harm from unfamiliar species.
• Strengthen biosecurity controls to prevent accidental release, establishment or spread of non-native species into Australian ecosystems.
• Demonstrate due diligence with respect to WHS, environmental and biosecurity legislation, reducing the likelihood of regulatory non-compliance.
• Streamline induction and training for staff and contractors who interact with non-native species, improving competence and confidence.

Who is this for?

• Biosecurity Managers
• Environmental Managers
• Research Facility Managers
• Laboratory Supervisors
• Aquaculture Operations Managers
• Parks and Wildlife Project Officers
• Land Rehabilitation Project Managers
• University Research Coordinators
• Zoo and Sanctuary Operations Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors

Hazards Addressed

• Zoonotic disease transmission from non-native animals to workers
• Allergic reactions to non-native plants, animals or associated materials
• Bites, scratches, stings or other physical injuries from non-native fauna
• Handling and restraint risks when working with stressed or aggressive species
• Chemical exposure from disinfectants, preservatives and treatments used in containment and decontamination
• Manual handling injuries from moving cages, tanks, enclosures or plant stock
• Slips, trips and falls around wet areas, tanks, ponds, glasshouses or quarantine facilities
• Psychosocial stress associated with high-consequence biosecurity work and containment responsibilities
• Environmental and biosecurity hazards arising from escape, accidental release or improper disposal of non-native species or contaminated materials

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Application
• 2.0 Definitions and Classification of Non-native Species
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Pre-Integration Planning and Regulatory Approvals
• 5.0 Risk Assessment and Control Hierarchy for Non-native Species
• 6.0 Facility Requirements, Containment Levels and Security
• 7.0 Transport, Receipt and Quarantine Procedures
• 8.0 Safe Handling, Restraint and Interaction Protocols
• 9.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 10.0 Hygiene, Decontamination and Waste Management
• 11.0 Environmental and Biosecurity Safeguards
• 12.0 Emergency Response, Escape and Incident Management
• 13.0 Health Monitoring, Vaccination and Medical Follow-up (where applicable)
• 14.0 Training, Induction and Competency Assessment
• 15.0 Record Keeping, Reporting and Audit Requirements
• 16.0 Review, Continuous Improvement and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth)
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
• Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 Risk management – Guidelines
• AS/NZS 2243 series: Safety in laboratories (where work is undertaken in lab environments)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Relevant state and territory biosecurity and invasive species legislation and guidelines