Australia's biosecurity is facing unprecedented challenges from invasive species, new infectious diseases, and a changing climate that is increasing the areas where threats can establish. Queensland’s far north, including the Torres Strait Islands, reaches to within a few kilometres of Papua New Guinea — one of the country’s highest-risk pathways for exotic pests, weeds and diseases arriving arriving by natural means.

James Cook University (JCU) is the only university headquartered on this pathway, close to the threats and to the communities, industries and environments they reach first. Our biosecurity research, led by the Centre for Tropical Biosecurity, takes a One Health approach — treating the health of people, animals, plants and the environment as one connected system, work that protects the north and strengthens biosecurity nationwide.

Bringing together ecological, technological and behavioural expertise, and supported by purpose-built facilities in Cairns and Townsville, JCU works with partners — including industry, landholders and Indigenous ranger networks — to help prevent, detect, manage and eradicate biosecurity threats.