This information on this page has been reviewed by the Weeds Working Group of the Environment and Invasives Committee (EIC).

Government weeds strategies and working groups

The Australian Weeds Strategy (2017-2027) provides a national framework for addressing weed issues whilst maintaining the profitability and sustainability of Australia’s primary industries and the reducing the impact of weeds on the environment.

This strategy is overseen by the inter-jurisdictional Environment and Invasives Committee and its weeds working group.

A number of jurisdictions also have specific Biosecurity or Invasive Species strategies:

  1. ACT Biosecurity Strategy (2016-2026)
  2. NSW Invasive Species Plan (2018-2021)
  3. NT Biosecurity Strategy (2016-2026)
  4. QLD Invasive Plants and Animal Strategy (2019-2024)
  5. WA Biosecurity Strategy

Weeds of National Significance (WoNS)

Under the Australian Weeds Strategy, thirty-two (32) Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) have been identified by Australian governments based on their invasiveness, potential for spread and environmental, social and economic impacts.

A list of 20 WoNS was endorsed in 1999 and a further 12 were added in 2012.

Note that some of the 32 WoNS are grouped together together as one (e.g. Asparagus weeds, Brooms, Opuntioid cacti, and Bitou bush / Boneseed).

  1. African boxthorn
  2. Asparagus fern
  3. Alligator weed
  4. Athel pine
  5. Bellyache bush
  6. Bitou bush/boneseed
  7. Blackberry
  8. Bridal creeper
  9. Brooms
  10. Cabomba
  11. Cat’s claw creeper
  12. Chilean needle grass
  13. Fireweed
  14. Gamba grass
  15. Gorse
  16. Hymenachne
  17. Lantana
  18. Madeira vine
  19. Mesquite
  20. Mimosa
  21. Opuntioid cacti
  22. Parkinsonia
  23. Parthenium weed
  24. Pond apple
  25. Prickly acacia
  26. Rubber vine
  27. Sagittaria
  28. Salvinia
  29. Serrated tussock
  30. Silverleaf nightshade
  31. Water hyacinth
  32. Willows

Many of these WONS have their own management manuals and guides. More detailed information about these WONS and their Manuals can be found via our Weeds Profile section.

National Established Weed Priorities (NEWP)

The Environment and Invasives Committee’s Weeds Working Group (EIC WWG) commissioned a report in 2020 to analyse the WoNS initiative and draft a framework to underpin the future of national established weed management.

The report ‘National Established Weed Priorities – Towards a National Framework’ proposed a draft framework for the nationally coordinated management of established weeds.

Wild Matters Pty Ltd subsequently developed the National Established Weed Priorities (NEWP) Framework and Implementation Plan, with extensive input and feedback from stakeholders, including through an industry and community Advisory Group. NEWP retains the essence of the original WoNS initiative (through the WoNS component), but also moves beyond the single species approach to encompass other national established weed priorities including Weed Issues of National Significance (WINS) and a National Established Weeds Action List (NEWAL). This broadens the scope of the original initiative, addressing landscape-scale management issues for established weeds (WINS), and offering continued management of discrete national priority actions where required (NEWAL).

EIC endorsed the NEWP Framework and Implementation Plan in June 2023.

On 30 November 2023 the National Biosecurity Committee agreed to a phased approach to progress the NEWP implementation.

This phased approach initially focuses on determination of new national weed priorities (WoNS and WINS), utilising ABARES expertise and in-kind support from jurisdictions.

Following determination of new national weed priorities, government and non-government stakeholders will consider investment. This will determine the scale of NEWP implementation.

DAFF hosted an initial workshop on 6 December 2023 to begin refinement of the WoNS assessment methodology.

Click through for more information about National Established Weed Priorities (NEWP) including details of the NEWP Steering Group.

National Weed Biocontrol Pipeline Strategy

The National Weed Biocontrol Pipeline Strategy was developed by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions and the CSIRO, working with NSW, Queensland and Victorian government weed biocontrol experts.

Following a public consultation phase, the Strategy was endorsed by the Environment and Invasives Committee in July 2023. The Strategy aims to guide Australia’s future weed biocontrol research, development and extension activities for priority weeds at a national scale.

Following a competitive process, the Centre and its partners have been engaged by DAFF to deliver the initial phase of work by late 2024. Project scope includes establishing a Weed Biocontrol RD&E Alliance, developing a National Weed Biocontrol Prioritisation Framework, delivering a National Weed Biocontrol Priority List for Candidate Weeds for EIC consideration, and estimating implementation costs.

Candidate weeds for biological control

Successful biological control is one of the most effective ways to control weeds across the landscape in the long term. Over many years governments have worked together to determine weeds which are suitable for biological control, this currently being through the Environment and Invasives Committee. It is important to determine whether there is any significant use of a weed (as a cultivated or wild plant) that would likely preclude biological control being used against it, before investing in a lengthy and comprehensive research in biological control agents.

The introduction of a potential biological control agent is separately assessed under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The assessment involves comprehensive host testing (testing what plants the biological control agent will attack) before release.

Endorsed species

The table below lists the weed species endorsed for biological control by intergovernmental committees, including two cases where formal approval as a target weed for biological control was obtained under the Biological Control Act 1984. A link to the current Environment and Invasives Committee procedure for determining candidate weed species and/or control agents for biological control is at the bottom of this page.

The below list is current as of October 2023.

Scientific Name Common Name Year approved Approval by Submitting member
Ageratina riparia mistflower 1983 AWC QLD
Ambrosia artemisiifolia ragweed 1983 AWC QLD
Andredera cordifolia Madeira vine 2007 NRMSC(13) QLD
Andropogon gayanus Gamba grass 2022 EIC 9 – 2022-02 COMM/DAFF
Asparagus asparagoides bridal creeper 1991 SCA (147) SA
Bryophyllum delagoense mother-of-millions 2001 SCARM (18) QLD
Bryophyllum delagoense x B. diagremontianum hybrid mother-of-millions 2001 SCARM (18) QLD
Cabomba caroliniana cabomba 2006 SCRAM(12) QLD
Calotropis procera calotrope 2014 AWC28 QLD
Cardiospermum grandiflorum balloon vine 2019 EIC – OOS-2019-05 NSW
Carduus nutans nodding thistle 1986 SCA(136) NSW
Carduus pycnocephalus Italian thistle 1986 SCA(136) NSW
Carduus tenuiflorus slender thistle 1986 SCA(136) NSW
Chromolaena odorata Siam weed 2010 AWC 21 QLD
Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera bitou bush 1986 SCA (136) NSW
Cirsium arvense perennial thistle 1988 SCA (141) VIC
Cirsium vulgare spear thistle 1988 SCA (141) VIC
Clidemia hirta Koster’s curse 2014 AWC29 QLD
Conyza canadensis Canadian fleabane 2020 EIC – OOS-2019-009 QLD
Conyza sumatrensis tall fleabane 2020 EIC – OOS-2019-009 QLD
Conyza bonariensis flaxleaf fleabane 2017 IPAC 10 2017 NSW
Cylindropuntia pallida Hudson pear 2008 NBC 2 QLD
Cylindropuntia spp. cholla cacti, prickly pears 2013 AWC 27 QLD
Cyperus aromaticus Navua sedge 2020 EIC – OOS-2020-08 QLD
Delairea odorata cape ivy 2018 EIC 1 2018 VIC
Dolichandra unguis-cati cat’s claw creeper 2005 NRMSC (9) QLD
Echium plantagineum Paterson’s curse 1987 BCA, 1985 + agents VIC
Eichhornia crassipes water hyacinth 1976 AAC (95) QLD
Euphorbia paralias sea spurge 2010 AWC 21 WA
Genista linifolia flax-leaved broom 1998 SCARM (12) SA
Genista monspessulana cape broom 1998 SCARM (12) SA
Genista stenopetala Madeira broom 1998 SCARM (12) SA
Heliotropium amplexicaule blue heliotrope 2001 SCARM (18) OOS NSW
Jatropha curcas physic-nut 1999 SCARM (13)
Jatropha gossypifolia bellyache bush 1999 SCARM (13)
Leucanthemum vulgare ox-eye daisy 2020 EIC – OOS-2020-01 NSW
Lycium ferocissimum African boxthorn 2016 IPAC – OOS-2016-04 SA
Marrubium vulgare white horehound 1991 SCA (147) VIC
Miconia calvescens miconia 2014 AWC29 QLD
Mikania micrantha mikania 2014 AWC29 QLD
Mimosa invisa giant sensitive plant 1983 SCA (129) NT
Moraea flaccida one-leaf Cape tulip 1999 SCARM (13) WA
Moraea miniata two-leaf Cape tulip 1999 SCARM (13) WA
Nassella neesiana Chilean needle grass 2005 NRMSC (10) VIC
Nassella trichotoma serrated tussock 1998 SCARM (12) NSW
Onopordum acanthium Scotch thistle 1988 SCA (141) NSW
Onopordum acaulon stemless thistle 1988 SCA (141) NSW
Onopordum illyricum Illyrian thistle 1988 SCA (141) NSW
Onopordum tauricum Taurian thistle 1988 SCA (141) NSW
Opuntia robusta wheel cactus 1988 NRMSC15 SA
Parkinsonia aculeata parkinsonia 1983 AWC QLD
Passiflora foetida stinking passionflower 2018 EIC – OOS-2018-17 WA
Pereskia aculeata leaf cactus 2019 EIC – OOS-2019-09 NSW
Phyla cansescens lippia 2006 NRMSC (12) QLD
Polygala myrtifolia var. myrtifolia polygala 2018 EIC 1 2018 WA
Prosopis spp. mesquite 1991 SCA (147) WA
Reseda lutea cutleaf mignonette 1995 SCARM (5) SA
Reseda phyteuma rampion mignonette 1995 SCARM (5) SA
Rubus fruticosus agg. blackberry 1985 BCA, 1985 no agents VIC
Rumex acetosella sorrel 1983 SCA (129) WA
Rumex conglomeratus clustered dock 1983 SCA (129) WA
Rumex crispus curled dock 1983 SCA (129) WA
Rumex obtusifolius broad leaved dock 1983 SCA (129) WA
Rumex pulcher fiddle dock 1983 SCA (129) WA
Sagittaria calycina arrowhead 2015 IPAC 04 – 2015 VIC
Sagittaria platyphylla delta arrowhead 2015 IPAC 04 – 2015 VIC
Schinus terebinthifolius broad-leaved pepper tree 2018 EIC 1 2018 NSW
Senecia madagascariensis fireweed 1991 SCA (147) QLD
Senna obtusifolia sicklepod 1983 AWC QLD
Senna tora sicklepod 2020 EIC – OOS-2020-05 QLD
Sida acuta common wireweed 1985 SCA (134)
Sida cordifolia flannel weed 1985 SCA (134)
Silybum marianum variegated thistle 1988 SCA (141) VIC
Solanum elaeagnifolium silverleaf nightshade 1986 SCA (136) VIC
Solanum viarum tropical soda apple 2017 IPAC 10 2017 COMM/DAWR
Sonchus oleraceus common sowthistle 2017 IPAC 10 2017 COMM/DAWR
Spathodea campanulata African tulip tree 2022 EIC – OOS -2021-06 QLD
Sphagneticola trilobata Singapore daisy 2023 EIC 12 – 2023 – 07 QLD
Sporobolus africanus Parramatta grass 2007 NRMSC (14) QLD
Sporobolus fertilis giant Parramatta grass 2007 NRMSC (14) QLD
Sporobolus jacquemontii American rats tail grass 2007 NRMSC (14) QLD
Sporobolus natalensis & Sporobolus pyramidalis giant rat’s tail grass 2007 NRMSC (14) QLD
Tecoma stans yellow bells 2018 EIC 1 2018 NSW
Tradescantia fluminensis wandering jew 2015 IPAC – OOS-2015-11 VIC
Tribulus terrestris caltrop 1989 SCA (143) VIC
Ulex europaeus gorse 1995 SCARM (6) TAS

 

Key
AAC – Australian Agricultural Council
NRMSC – Natural Resource Management Standing Committee
AWC – Australian Weeds Committee
BCA – Biological Control Act
EIC – Environment and Invasives Committee
IPAC – Invasive Plant and Animal Committee
SCA – Standing Committee on Agriculture
SCARM – Standing Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management

There are additional weeds for which biological control programs occurred, which pre-existed the approval processes that have occurred since 1983. This list is included below.

Weed Target Common Name Program recognised as established prior to formal weed approval process
Acacia nilotica ssp. Indica prickly acacia Yes
Acanthocereus pentagonus sword pear Yes
Ageratina adenophora Crofton weed Yes
Alternanthera philoxeroides alligator weed Yes
Baccharis halimifolia groundsel bush Yes
Cryptostegia grandiflora rubber vine Yes
Cylindropuntia imbricata chainlink cactus Yes
Cytisus scoparius Scotch broom Yes
Harrisia bonplandii harrisia cactus Yes
Harrisia martinii harrisia cactus Yes
Harrisia tortuosa harrisia cactus Yes
Lantana camara lantana Yes
Lantana montevidensis creeping lantana Yes
Mimosa pigra mimosa Yes
Opuntia aurantiaca jointed prickly-pear Yes
Opuntia dillenii spiny pest pear Yes
Opuntia monacantha drooping prickly pear Yes
Opuntia streptacantha erect prickly pear Yes
Opuntia stricta erect prickly pear Yes
Opuntia tomentosa velvet tree pear Yes
Parthenium hysterophorus parthenium weed Yes
Pistia stratiotes water cabbage Yes
Salvinia molesta giant salvinia Yes
Sida rhombifolia arrowleaf sida Yes
Xanthium strumarium (syn. X. occidentale) Noogoora burr Yes

The first biological control approved listing was implemented by the Australian Weeds Committee. The current 2019 Environment and Invasives Committee procedure can be downloaded in PDF format – EIC PROCEDURE FOR ENDORSING CANDIDATE WEEDS FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

 

National Alert List for Environmental Weeds

The National Alert List for Environmental Weeds was developed in 2001. It identified 28 weed species that were in the early stages of establishment and had the potential to become a significant threat to biodiversity if they were not managed:

Scientific name Common name
Acacia catechu var. sundra cutch tree
Acacia karroo Karroo thorn
Asystasia gangetica ssp. micrantha Chinese violet
Barleria prionitis barleria
Bassia scoparia kochia
Calluna vulgaris heather
Chromolaena odorata Siam weed
Cynoglossum creticum blue hound’s tongue
Cyperus teneristolon cyperus
Cytisus multiflorus white Spanish broom
Dittrichia viscosa false yellowhead
Equiseturn spp. horsetail species
Gymnocoronis spilanthoides Senegal tea plant
Hieracium aurantiacum orange hawkweed
Koelreuteria elegans Chinese rain tree
Lachenalia reflexa yellow soldier
Lagarosiphon major lagarosiphon
Nassella charruana lobed needle grass
Pelargonium alchemilloides garden geranium
Pereskia aculeata leaf cactus
Piptochaetium montevidense Uruguayan rice grass
Praxellis clematidea praxelis
Retama raetarn white weeping broom
Senicio glastifolius holly leaved senecio
Thunbergia laurifolia laurel clock vine
Tipuaria tipu rosewood
Trianoptiles solitaria subterranean cape sedge

Species were identified for the Alert List based on three criteria:

  • posing a high or serious potential threat to the environment
  • having limited distribution within Australia at present
  • being amenable to successful eradication or containment programs.

Whilst this list is no longer in formal use by governments, the species still represent serious weed risks and control activities continue to be undertaken for certain species in some parts of Australia. Refer to the Weed Profiles for specific species information.

Agricultural Sleeper Weeds list

Sleeper weeds is a term used for plants that appear benign for many years, but which may suddenly spread rapidly following certain natural events such as flood, fire, drought, climate change, or change in land or water management. Sleeper weeds are not always recognised as a significant problem, even though the potential threat they pose to industry, people or the environment may be extreme.

In 2006 the Bureau of Rural Science (now Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences) identified 17 potential agricultural sleeper weeds as priorities for eradication. These were:

  • Aeschynomene paniculata
  • Asystasia gangetica ssp micrantha
  • Baccharis pingraea
  • Brillantaisia lamium
  • Centaurea eriophora
  • Crupina vulgaris
  • Cuscuta suaveolens
  • Eleocharis parodii
  • Froelichia floridana
  • Gmelina elliptica
  • Hieracium aurantiacum
  • Hypericum tetrapterum
  • Nassella charruana
  • Oenanthe pimpinelloides
  • Onopordum tauricum
  • Piptochaetium montevidense
  • Rorippa sylvestris

For more information please refer to https://daff.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/search/asset/1032101/0 

Weed Futures: weeds under climate scenarios

Some weeds are at the early stages of invasion in Australia and are expected to become widespread over the coming years. These weeds may appear benign for many years until disturbances such as fire, flood, drought or climate change promote their spread and establishment. They have been termed ‘environmental alert weeds’ and ‘agricultural sleeper weeds’, with most state and territory legislation now capturing species that pose a high risk.

WeedFutures highlights changes to the potential distribution of over 700 non-native or invasive plants in Australia, identifying species that could become significant issues under different climate scenarios.

Weed species targeted for national eradication

As of 2023, there are national eradication programs for six weed species in Australia.

The National Tropical Weeds Eradication Program targets five weed species native to tropical America that have been introduced into North Queensland: Limnocharis (Limnocharis flava), mikania vine (Mikania micrantha) and miconia (Miconia calvescens, M. racemosa and M. nervosa). The program is managed by Biosecurity Queensland (part of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) and is funded with contributions from the Australian, Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Western Australian governments.

The Red Witchweed National Eradication Program targets eradication of Striga asiatica, a parasitic plant which grows on grasses, including sorghum, corn, sugar cane and various important pasture grasses. The Red Witchweed National Eradication Program is managed by Biosecurity Queensland and is jointly funded/supported by the Federal Government as well as state government agencies in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory plus Grain Industry Peak Bodies, Meat and Livestock Association and Canegrowers.

More information can be found at the National pest & disease outbreaks website.

Other species may be targeted for eradication at the state or territory level, like parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) outside of Queensland, karroo thorn (Vachellia karroo) and Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima).

Hawkweeds (Pilosella species) are also the subject of eradication programs in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases

The National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases (EEPL) was released in 2020. The list will be reviewed at five-year intervals after an initial review in 2023 with species being added or removed as new evidence becomes available.

The National Priority List focuses on exotic pests, weeds and diseases that are not established in Australia and pose the highest risk to our environment and public spaces. Exotic species are defined as those that are not introduced, or if they have been, are under an official eradication program. This list will be used to enable activities that help prevent the entry, establishment and spread of exotic pests and diseases.

Plants on the list include:

View the full list of exotic environmental pests.

Species permitted entry into Australia

State and territory declared weed lists

In addition to the national lists above, state and territory governments have their own lists of declared weeds. The below links provide information on state and territory weeds legislation and associated lists.

Declared weeds prohibited to trade

Declared weeds are plants declared to be invasive/noxious/pest under state and territory legislation. Typically, legal control measures are applied to these declared plants.

In some states and territories there are also general biosecurity obligations on other pest plants and there are recommended measures that people in that jurisdiction should also follow.

Some plants species should not be sold, but these are not listed on the declared plants from trade list and instead alternative plant species are promoted through the Gardening Responsibly scheme. Illicit species and controlled substances are also a different matter and are dealt with under relevant legislations or require specific licences.

Although this list is as comprehensive as possible, it is a guide only. Please make sure you check your relevant state and territory website for updates in legislation regarding trade of plant species. Refer to Government weed strategies and lists – State and territory declared weed lists on the WeedsAustralia web site.

This list provides information on plant species that are banned from trade (buying and selling) by state and territory under each respective jurisdictional legislation. Each jurisdiction has different legislation, and some will have exceptions for different species and genera. These conditions can be found on each jurisdictional declared plant species webpage (refer to Government weed strategies and lists – State and territory declared weed lists on the WeedsAustralia web site).

This list is for trade only: restrictions on movement may apply to these plant species, however these specific prescriptive movement controls are not part of this guide.

The ‘Prohibited to Trade’ tab is a full list of plant species and genera. Jurisdictions with whole genera declared will include specific species if listed by other states. Be sure to check a plant’s taxonomic synonyms against this list. Jurisdictions are not in complete agreement on accepted taxonomic names. Some synonyms are provided if in use by jurisdictions.

The individual tabs for each state and territory have a more extensive list and will itemise any exceptions to that plant species.
This list was endorsed by the Environment and Invasives Committee Weeds Working Group (30 August 2023).

Disclaimer: The information contained in this spreadsheet has been prepared with care and is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of publication (August 2023). Information in the spreadsheet has been sourced from third parties (government web sites) and is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, to the extent permitted by law. After publication, circumstances may change and before relying on this information the user needs to take care to update as necessary. State declared weed information is available on the WeedsAustralia web site at: Government weed strategies and lists – Weeds Australia

Access National declared weeds in Australia prohibited to trade list (August 2023).