The Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 (the Act) sets the legal framework for managing biosecurity risks. The Regulation provides detailed rules and procedures to implement the Act effectively.

The prohibited and restricted matter lists are contained in the Biosecurity Regulation. They define which species or materials are subject to biosecurity control measures, restrictions, or prohibitions to prevent their introduction, spread or impact in Queensland. These lists contain high-risk species that are assigned specific management actions to manage biosecurity risks effectively and proportionately.

The Agriculture and Fisheries and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 made changes to the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014, including moving the prohibited and restricted matter lists from the Act to the Biosecurity Regulation 2016. This was to allow updates to be made more quickly and simply, supporting a currency and responsiveness in these important biosecurity protections.

Before moving the lists, the Department of Primary Industries undertook a review of each species to ensure they were scientifically up to date and met the criteria under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 and reflected Queensland's specific risk profiles.

Public consultation on the reviewed lists was conducted in late 2025. The updated prohibited and restricted matter lists are now available in the Regulation.

Most of the current Regulation was found to be working well and was proposed to be remade without amendment. There were a handful of proposed changes, broadly categorised into fine tuning of rules that may introduce minor additional burden, strengthening opportunities/flexibility, removing rules that aren't needed anymore, and simple administrative amendments to improve clarity.

Now that the consultation period for this review has closed, the Queensland Government is considering all feedback to inform a final position on the Regulation. Stakeholders will be kept informed about when the Regulation will be updated.