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.
Bacterial Specimen Module
Bacillus anthracis and Clostridium botulinum
Catalogue Number
22020102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
2Cases/samples per survey
Up to 4Sample Type
Simulated clinical sample containing inactivated or attenuated bacterial SSBA or related organismsSchedule
August, SeptemberMeasurand/Test
Bacillus anthracis and Clostridium botulinumStorage and Handling
Store samples at 4°CDangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Additional 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
22030102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
Up to 4Sample Type
Environmental sample containing inactivated or attenuated bacterial SSBA or related organismsSchedule
JuneMeasurand/Test
Bacterial SSBAStorage and Handling
Store samples at 4°CDangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Additional 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
22050102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
Up to 5Sample Type
Inactivated virus for nucleic acid testingSchedule
MayMeasurand/Test
Japanese encephalitis virusStorage and Handling
Store samples at 4°CAdditional 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
22110102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
Up to 4Sample Type
Serum samples for serological testingSchedule
MayMeasurand/Test
Flavivirus Total Antibody; Flavivirus IgG; IgM; Japanese Encephalitis Virus IgG; IgMStorage and Handling
Store samples at 4°CDangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Additional 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
22070102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
2Cases/samples per survey
Up to 4Sample Type
Environmental sample containing inactivated toxin for testingSchedule
March, MayMeasurand/Test
Ricin, AbrinStorage and Handling
Store samples at 4°CAdditional 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
24010102Schedule
Available all yearProduct 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
24060102Schedule
Available all yearProduct 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
24020102Schedule
Available all yearProduct 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
24070102Schedule
Available all yearProduct 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
24030102Schedule
Available all yearProduct 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
24040102Schedule
Available all yearProduct 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
24050102Schedule
Available all yearProduct details last updated on September 10, 2020
