Biosecurity

In 2008 the Australian Government established a two-tiered list of Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBA) as part of the SSBA Regulatory Scheme for the control of select agents and toxins. Funding was subsequently made available through the Department of Health to establish RCPAQAP Biosecurity, with the aim of providing a quality assurance and proficiency testing program (PTP) for Tier 1 and Tier 2 SSBA, other potential agents and communicable disease threats. The program now offers surveys free of charge to Australian laboratories and for a fee to approved overseas laboratories with a view to building and enhancing laboratory capacity and capability to detect, analyze, identify and report on these agents.

Declaration
This module is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Health. Information such as participation demographics, overall results and kit performance is shared with them only. The information provided is de-identified in such a way that no individual laboratory’s results will be disclosed.

Watch our video to find out more about RCPAQAP Biosecurity and the challenges of preparing PT panels for Security Sensitive Biological Agents, all summarised in a short 30-minute presentation.

Refer to the Australian Government Department of Health website for current Security Sensitive Biological Agents Lists.

The Biosecurity Safety Data Sheet (SDS) can be access here.

The Biosecurity (UN3373) Safety Data Sheet (SDS) can be accessed here.

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Bacterial Specimen Module

Bacillus anthracis and Clostridium botulinum

Catalogue Number

22020102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

Up to 4

Sample Type

Simulated clinical sample containing inactivated or attenuated bacterial SSBA or related organisms

Schedule

August, September

Measurand/Test

Bacillus anthracis and Clostridium botulinum

Storage and Handling

Store samples at 4°C

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373

Additional Comments

Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories that require the capability to test for SSBA, other potential agents and communicable disease threats and to approved international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

Product details last updated on June 23, 2022

Biopreparedness Exercise – Bacteria

White powder specimens

Catalogue Number

22030102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

Up to 4

Sample Type

Environmental sample containing inactivated or attenuated bacterial SSBA or related organisms

Schedule

June

Measurand/Test

Bacterial SSBA

Storage and Handling

Store samples at 4°C

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373

Additional Comments

Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories that require the capability to test for SSBA, other potential agents and communicable disease threats and to approved international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production

Product details last updated on April 5, 2022

Emerging Biological Threats – Molecular

Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Catalogue Number

22050102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

Up to 5

Sample Type

Inactivated virus for nucleic acid testing

Schedule

May

Measurand/Test

Japanese encephalitis virus

Storage and Handling

Store samples at 4°C

Additional Comments

Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories that require the capability to test for SSBA, other potential agents and communicable disease threats.

Product details last updated on April 29, 2022

Emerging Biological Threats – Serology

Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Catalogue Number

22110102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

Up to 4

Sample Type

Serum samples for serological testing

Schedule

May

Measurand/Test

Flavivirus Total Antibody; Flavivirus IgG; IgM; Japanese Encephalitis Virus IgG; IgM

Storage and Handling

Store samples at 4°C

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373

Additional Comments

Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories that require the capability to test for SSBA, other potential agents and communicable disease threats.

Product details last updated on April 29, 2022

Environmental Specimen Module

Ricin and Abrin

Catalogue Number

22070102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

Up to 4

Sample Type

Environmental sample containing inactivated toxin for testing

Schedule

March, May

Measurand/Test

Ricin, Abrin

Storage and Handling

Store samples at 4°C

Additional Comments

Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories that require the capability to test for SSBA, other potential agents and communicable disease threats and to approved international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production

Product details last updated on April 29, 2022

SSBA eLearning Module – Anthrax

SSBA eLearning available to all laboratories within Australia, to RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge and to Australian Government Department of Health approved international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

This module provides general and technical training for laboratory staff. eLearning Modules generally take 60mins to complete and there is a questionnaire at the end. Please note that you will need speakers or preferably earphones to listen to the audio.

Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories that require the capability to test for SSBA, other potential agents and communicable disease threats and to approved private laboratories and international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

Catalogue Number

24010102

Schedule

Available all year

Product details last updated on September 10, 2020

SSBA eLearning Module – Botulism

SSBA eLearning available to all laboratories within Australia, to RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge and to Australian Government Department of Health approved international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

This module provides general and technical training for laboratory staff. eLearning Modules generally take 60mins to complete and there is a questionnaire at the end. Please note that you will need speakers or preferably earphones to listen to the audio.

Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories that require the capability to test for SSBA, other potential agents and communicable disease threats and to approved private laboratories and international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

Catalogue Number

24060102

Schedule

Available all year

Product details last updated on September 10, 2020

SSBA eLearning Module – Ebola

SSBA eLearning available to all laboratories within Australia, to RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge and to Australian Government Department of Health approved international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

This module provides general and technical training for laboratory staff. eLearning Modules generally take 60mins to complete and there is a questionnaire at the end. Please note that you will need speakers or preferably earphones to listen to the audio.

Catalogue Number

24020102

Schedule

Available all year

Product details last updated on September 2, 2020

SSBA eLearning Module – History of Biowarfare/Bioterrorism

SSBA eLearning available to all laboratories within Australia, to RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge and to Australian Government Department of Health approved international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

This module provides general and technical training for laboratory staff. eLearning Modules generally take 60mins to complete and there is a questionnaire at the end. Please note that you will need speakers or preferably earphones to listen to the audio.

Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories that require the capability to test for SSBA, other potential agents and communicable disease threats and to approved private laboratories and international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

Catalogue Number

24070102

Schedule

Available all year

Product details last updated on April 5, 2022

SSBA eLearning Module – Plague

SSBA eLearning available to all laboratories within Australia, to RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge and to Australian Government Department of Health approved international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

This module provides general and technical training for laboratory staff. eLearning Modules generally take 60mins to complete and there is a questionnaire at the end. Please note that you will need speakers or preferably earphones to listen to the audio.

Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories that require the capability to test for SSBA, other potential agents and communicable disease threats and to approved private laboratories and international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

Catalogue Number

24030102

Schedule

Available all year

Product details last updated on September 10, 2020

SSBA eLearning Module – Smallpox

SSBA eLearning available to all laboratories within Australia, to RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge and to Australian Government Department of Health approved international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

This module provides general and technical training for laboratory staff. eLearning Modules generally take 60mins to complete and there is a questionnaire at the end. Please note that you will need speakers or preferably earphones to listen to the audio.

Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories that require the capability to test for SSBA, other potential agents and communicable disease threats and to approved private laboratories and international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

Catalogue Number

24040102

Schedule

Available all year

Product details last updated on September 10, 2020

SSBA eLearning Module – Toxins

SSBA eLearning available to all laboratories within Australia, to RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge and to Australian Government Department of Health approved international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

This module provides general and technical training for laboratory staff. eLearning Modules generally take 60mins to complete and there is a questionnaire at the end. Please note that you will need speakers or preferably earphones to listen to the audio.

Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories that require the capability to test for SSBA, other potential agents and communicable disease threats and to approved private laboratories and international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

Catalogue Number

24050102

Schedule

Available all year

Product details last updated on September 10, 2020

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