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 Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care 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 public health laboratories and for a fee to Australian private pathology and approved overseas laboratories with a view to building and enhancing laboratory capacity and capability to detect, analyse, 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.
Refer to the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website for current Security Sensitive Biological Agents Lists.
Are you outside Australia?
Find your local distributorBacterial Specimen Module
What's new
For 2024: Francisella tularensis/Yersinia pestis
Updates regarding the 2025 enrolment will be sent when it is available
Catalogue Number
22020102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
2Cases/samples per survey
Up to 4Sample Type
Live and inactivated bacteria for microscopy, biochemical testing and NATSample volume
1 mLSchedule
August, OctoberMeasurand/Test
Bacterial SSBAStorage and Handling
Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°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 private laboratories and international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.
Product details last updated on August 5, 2024
Biopreparedness Exercise – Viral
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.
Currently, this program can only be offered to Australian laboratories. Overseas laboratories can express interest in the program and the RCPAQAP will try to accommodate these requests if possible.
What's new
For 2025: Highly pathogenic influenza
Catalogue Number
22080102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
Up to 4Sample Type
Inactivated virus for nucleic acid testingSample volume
0.5mLSchedule
JuneMeasurand/Test
Highly pathogenic InfluenzaStorage and Handling
Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°CProduct details last updated on August 27, 2024
Emerging Biological Threats – Molecular
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.
Currently, this program can only be offered to Australian laboratories due to regulatory requirements. Overseas Laboratories can express interest in the program and the RCPAQAP will try to accommodate these requests if possible.
What's new
For 2025: Monkeypox virus
Catalogue Number
22050102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
Up to 6Sample Type
Inactivated virus for nucleic acid testingSample volume
0.5 mLSchedule
MarchMeasurand/Test
Monkeypox virusStorage and Handling
Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°CProduct details last updated on January 15, 2025
Environmental Specimen Module
For 2025: Anthrax and Botulinum toxin
Catalogue Number
22070102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
2Cases/samples per survey
Up to 4Sample Type
Environmental sample containing inactivated toxin or attenuated bacteria for testingSample volume
1mLSchedule
February, AprilMeasurand/Test
Anthrax, Botulinum toxinStorage and Handling
Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°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 private laboratories and international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.
Product details last updated on August 5, 2024
SSBA eLearning Module – Anthrax
SSBA eLearning is available to all laboratories within Australia and RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge, and to Australian Government Department of Health approved private and 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
24010102Schedule
Available all yearProduct details last updated on August 2, 2024
SSBA eLearning Module – Botulism
SSBA eLearning is available to all laboratories within Australia and RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge, and to Australian Government Department of Health approved private and 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
24060102Schedule
Available all yearProduct details last updated on August 2, 2024
SSBA eLearning Module – Brucellosis
SSBA eLearning is available to all laboratories within Australia and RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge, and to Australian Government Department of Health approved private and 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.
What's new
New for 2025
Catalogue Number
24140102Schedule
Available all yearProduct details last updated on August 20, 2024
SSBA eLearning Module – Ebola
SSBA eLearning is available to all laboratories within Australia and RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge, and to Australian Government Department of Health approved private and 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 August 2, 2024
SSBA eLearning Module – Exotic flaviviruses
SSBA eLearning is available to all laboratories within Australia and RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge, and to Australian Government Department of Health approved private and 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.
What's new
New for 2024
Catalogue Number
24130102Schedule
Available all yearProduct details last updated on August 2, 2024
SSBA eLearning Module – History of Biowarfare/Bioterrorism
SSBA eLearning is available to all laboratories within Australia and RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge, and to Australian Government Department of Health approved private and 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
24070102Schedule
Available all yearProduct details last updated on August 2, 2024
SSBA eLearning Module – Plague
SSBA eLearning is available to all laboratories within Australia and RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge, and to Australian Government Department of Health approved private and 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
24030102Schedule
Available all yearProduct details last updated on August 2, 2024
SSBA eLearning Module – Smallpox
SSBA eLearning is available to all laboratories within Australia and RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge, and to Australian Government Department of Health approved private and 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
24040102Schedule
Available all yearProduct details last updated on August 2, 2024
SSBA eLearning Module – Toxins
SSBA eLearning is available to all laboratories within Australia and RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge, and to Australian Government Department of Health approved private and 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
24050102Schedule
Available all yearProduct details last updated on August 2, 2024
SSBA eLearning Module – Tularemia
SSBA eLearning is available to all laboratories within Australia and RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge, and to Australian Government Department of Health approved private and 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
24120102Schedule
Available all yearProduct details last updated on August 2, 2024
SSBA eLearning Module – Highly Pathogenic Influenza
SSBA eLearning is available to all laboratories within Australia and RCPA Microbiology Registrars free of charge, and to Australian Government Department of Health approved private and 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
24110102Schedule
Available all yearProduct details last updated on August 2, 2024
Viral Specimen Module
What's new
For 2024: Viral haemorrhagic fever viruses
Updates regarding the 2025 enrolment will be sent when it is available
Catalogue Number
22040102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
2Cases/samples per survey
Up to 4Sample Type
Inactivated virus for nucleic acid testingSample volume
0.5 mLSchedule
July, SeptemberMeasurand/Test
Viral SSBAStorage and Handling
Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°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 private laboratories and international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.
Product details last updated on August 5, 2024
Whole Genome Sequencing – Viral
What's new
For 2025: Monkeypox virus WGS (dry-lab) only
Catalogue Number
22100102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
Up to 10Sample Type
Simulated sequence dataset containing monkeypox virus for whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis (dry-lab only)Sample volume
Specimen-freeSchedule
MarchMeasurand/Test
WGS (dry-;ab)Storage and Handling
Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°CAdditional Comments
Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories and approved private and international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.
Product details last updated on January 15, 2025
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