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.

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Bacterial 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

22020102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

Up to 4

Sample Type

Live and inactivated bacteria for microscopy, biochemical testing and NAT

Sample volume

1 mL

Schedule

August, October

Measurand/Test

Bacterial SSBA

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°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 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

22080102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

Up to 4

Sample Type

Inactivated virus for nucleic acid testing

Sample volume

0.5mL

Schedule

June

Measurand/Test

Highly pathogenic Influenza

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°C

Product 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 2024: Avian influenza virus
Updates regarding the 2025 enrolment will be sent when it is available

Catalogue Number

22050102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

Up to 6

Sample Type

Inactivated virus for nucleic acid testing

Sample volume

0.5 mL

Schedule

November

Measurand/Test

For 2024: Avian influenza virus 

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°C

Product details last updated on August 5, 2024

Environmental Specimen Module

For 2025: Anthrax and Botulinum toxin

Catalogue Number

22070102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

Up to 4

Sample Type

Environmental sample containing inactivated toxin or attenuated bacteria for testing

Sample volume

1mL

Schedule

February, April

Measurand/Test

Anthrax, Botulinum toxin

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°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 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

24010102

Schedule

Available all year

Product 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

24060102

Schedule

Available all year

Product 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

24140102

Schedule

Available all year

Product 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

24020102

Schedule

Available all year

Product 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

24130102

Schedule

Available all year

Product 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

24070102

Schedule

Available all year

Product 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

24030102

Schedule

Available all year

Product 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

24040102

Schedule

Available all year

Product details last updated on August 2, 2024

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