ASW 2024 – shoulder workshops

The following shoulder workshops will be held during the Annual Surveillance Workshop (ASW) 2024:

DAY ONE | Wednesday, 20 March 2024

• Workshop 1 - AUSPestCheck® overview and demonstration
• Workshop 2 - An introduction to NSPs and their applications

DAY TWO | Thursday, 21 March 2024

• Workshop 3 - Putting NSPs into action

Please find more detailed information on the workshops below.

 

Workshop 1 - AUSPestCheck® overview and demonstration

Date and time: 8.30am - 10.40am (AEST), 20 March 2024 

Format: In-person 

About: 

AUSPestCheck® is a system developed and maintained by Plant Health Australia (PHA) for collation, sharing, and visualisation of surveillance data. AUSPestCheck® continues to be developed and now offers a range of new features to increase its value to and utility in plant surveillance activities.  

Workshop 1 at the Annual Surveillance Workshop (ASW) 2024 aims to deliver a complete overview of AUSPestCheck® with step-by-step demonstrations of the main system’s features. This is a great opportunity for new users to get familiar with the system’s core functionalities, as well as providing existing users a refresh and extending on existing knowledge.    

Eligibility: All interested surveillance practitioners attending ASW 2024 in-person who have registered to attend the workshop. 

 

Workshop 2 - An introduction to NSPs and their applications

Date and time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm (AEST), 20 March 2024 

Format: hybrid 

About: 

A National Surveillance Protocol (NSP) is a pest-specific reference guide that details nationally agreed surveillance methods. NSPs are designed to enable surveillance practitioners and operational staff to develop a surveillance plan/program for specific pests and define the required data standards through pest-specific data protocols. Collecting data consistently within and across surveillance programs in Australia allows for more effective data collation and analysis and improves the evidence base for decision making regarding pest status. In this way, NSPs contribute significantly to achieving coordinated plant health. 

The NSP endorsement process is rigorous, involving multiple stages of review by subject matter experts and the NSP Working Group (NSPWG). At the 2023 Annual Diagnostic and Surveillance Workshop, more than 70% of participants voted that they would be interested in taking part in a National Diagnostics/Surveillance Protocol (NDP/NSP) workshop, indicating a need for training in national protocol development. 

To address the knowledge gaps in NSP development and review, Workshop 2 at the Annual Surveillance Workshop (ASW) 2024 will involve discussions on: 

• NSP reference standards 
• how to develop and review an NSP   
• the endorsement process of an NSP 
• understanding program data standards and how to implement them. 

Eligibility: Open to all PSNAP members attending ASW 2024, subject to availability. 

 

Workshop 3 - Putting NSPs into action

Date and time: 3.30pm - 5.00pm (AEST), 21 March 2024 

Format: in-person 

About: 

A surveillance protocol is a technical reference guide for conducting surveillance on a specific plant pest or group of plant pests. It includes information on surveillance methodology, pest biology, taxonomy, identification, and sample processing.  

NSPs are intended to be used for all national surveillance programs and their use is also encouraged for all other relevant surveillance activities conducted by governments and industry in Australia. A surveillance protocol is the first point of reference for developing surveillance plans. 

During Workshop 3 at the Annual Surveillance Workshop (ASW) 2024, attendees will: 

• partake in a hands-on activity to learn how NSPs can be implemented in developing a surveillance plan, and  
• contribute to discussions around the current format and content of NSPs. 

Eligibility: Open to 25 PSNAP members attending ASW 2024 in-person, subject to availability. 

Need more information? Please contact psnap@phau.com.au.