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.
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
22050502Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
TBASample Type
Inactivated virus for Whole Genome Sequencing (wet and dry-lab analysis)Metagenomic sequence reads for Whole Genome Sequencing (dry lab analysis)
Sample volume
TBASchedule
FebruaryMeasurand/Test
Diluted SARS-CoV-2 (inactivated)Storage and Handling
Store samples at -80°CAdditional 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
22020102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
Bacteria (inactivated or attenuated), inactivated toxin for testing with BioFire BioThreat PanelSample volume
1 mlSchedule
MarchMeasurand/Test
Inactivated or attenuated bacterial and toxin 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 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
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.
What's new
New for 2021
Catalogue Number
24070102Schedule
Available all yearProduct 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
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
SSBA Viral Specimen Module
Ebola and Yellow Fever viruses
Catalogue Number
22040102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
2Cases/samples per survey
2Sample Type
Inactivated virus for nucleic acid testingSample volume
0.5 mlSchedule
MarchMeasurand/Test
Ebolavirus; Yellow fever virusStorage and Handling
Store samples at -80°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 13, 2020
Whole Genome Sequencing Module
SSBA Bacteria Wet and Dry-Lab Exercise
Catalogue Number
22010102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
Live bacteria for Whole Genome SequencingSchedule
JuneMeasurand/Test
SSBA bacterial speciesStorage 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 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