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.

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.

PHLN: SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses

COVID-19 Response

What's new

Department of Health funded COVID-19 program. Three rounds of this module were offered in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with plans for another in 2021. This module is suitable for all laboratory testing platforms that are utilised in the whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2.

Catalogue Number

22050502

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

TBA

Sample Type

Inactivated virus for Whole Genome Sequencing (wet and dry-lab analysis)

Metagenomic sequence reads for Whole Genome Sequencing (dry lab analysis)

Sample volume

TBA

Schedule

February

Measurand/Test

Diluted SARS-CoV-2 (inactivated)

Storage and Handling

Store samples at -80°C

Additional Comments

Available free of charge to Australian public health laboratories that require the capability to test for SARS-CoV-2. Participation will be by invitation only.

Product details last updated on September 14, 2020

SSBA Bacterial and Toxin Specimen Module

Biofire PTP

Catalogue Number

22020102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

Bacteria (inactivated or attenuated), inactivated toxin for testing with BioFire BioThreat Panel

Sample volume

1 ml

Schedule

March

Measurand/Test

Inactivated or attenuated bacterial and toxin 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 September 10, 2020

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.

What's new

New for 2021 

Catalogue Number

24070102

Schedule

Available all year

Product details last updated on September 10, 2020

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

SSBA Viral Specimen Module

Ebola and Yellow Fever viruses

Catalogue Number

22040102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

2

Sample Type

Inactivated virus for nucleic acid testing

Sample volume

0.5 ml

Schedule

March

Measurand/Test

Ebolavirus; Yellow fever virus

Storage and Handling

Store samples at -80°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 private laboratories and international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

Product details last updated on August 13, 2020

Whole Genome Sequencing Module

SSBA Bacteria Wet and Dry-Lab Exercise

Catalogue Number

22010102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

Live bacteria for Whole Genome Sequencing

Schedule

June

Measurand/Test

SSBA bacterial species

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 and approved private and international laboratories for a fee that reflects the cost of the modules’ production.

Product details last updated on September 14, 2020