Expression of interest to review National Surveillance Protocols (NSPs)

Background

National Surveillance Protocols (NSPs) serve as the first point of reference for developing surveillance plans, and include information on surveillance methodology, pest biology, taxonomy, identification and sample processing. NSPs aim to achieve a coordinated plant health surveillance system that meets national and international requirements.

The process of NSP development is managed by the Subcommittee on National Plant Health Surveillance (SNPHS). Four NSPs have been endorsed by SNPHS thus far to support and enhance ongoing surveillance activities, and they are available on request through the PNSAP website.

NSPs are developed in accordance with the SNPHS Reference Standard for the Development and Approval of National Surveillance Protocols for Plant Pests, which provides guidelines to authors for developing national surveillance protocols, and ensures relevant, consistent and up-to-date information is included. The Reference Standard also outlines the workflow for the development and approval processes of NSPs before they are submitted to SNPHS for endorsement. Following endorsement, NSPs are reviewed every two years, or earlier if required.

The current project

The National Plant Biosecurity Surveillance Professional Development and Protocols project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and coordinated by Plant Health Australia, to enhance Australia’s plant pest surveillance capability and capacity to detect and identify plants that impact Australia's plant industries, the environment and the community.

SNPHS is currently seeking expressions of interest to undertake the technical review of the following NSPs:

• Glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis)
• Grapevine leaf rust (Neophysopella spp.)
• Texas root rot (Phymatotrichopsis omnivora)
• Polyphagous shot-hole borer (Euwallacea fornicatus)
• Sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum)
• Pine pitch canker (Fusarium circinatum)

Eligibility

To be eligible you must have relevant expertise, be employed in a plant health surveillance role or similar, in an organisation in Australia, and be a member of the Plant Surveillance Network Australasia-Pacific (PSNAP).

Application process

To submit an expression of interest, complete the application form and email it to the NSP Coordinator at NSPCoordinator@phau.com.au.

Download the application form

Download the applicant guidelines

Assessment of applications

All applications will be assessed by SNPHS National Surveillance Protocols Working Group, based on the following criteria:

1. demonstrated experience and expertise in the pest group(s) or related pest(s) to be covered in the NSPs
2. value for money
3. ability to complete the project in the contracted timeframe.

Successful applicants will be contacted by the NSP Coordinator, and they will be provided instructions on how to progress.

Guide to budgets

As a guideline, funding support of up to $2,000 (GST exclusive) is provided for the technical review of an NSP.

Timelines

Applications close at 5 pm AEDT 17 April 2025. Successful applicants will be informed by the end of April.

Key contact and further information

If you would like further information, please contact the NSP Coordinator at NSPCoordinator@phau.com.au.

The Reference Standard, which outlines instructions to authors and endorsement processes, can be requested through the PSNAP website.