Biosecurity for Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island’s (KI) remoteness and isolation has created a special environment, free from many of the pests and diseases found on mainland Australia. Every time someone travels to the island, there is a risk that pests or diseases could be introduced. This has the potential to devastate the local environment and agricultural industries. Legislation is in place to reduce the risks and protect the environment and agricultural industries on Kangaroo Island.
We need your help to protect the unique environment of Kangaroo Island.
Please don’t bring to Kangaroo Island
Bees, honey products, beeswax and bee handling equipment
These items can spread disease threatening a significant KI industry. Help keep KI bees disease free.
Potatoes for consumption or planting
Unwashed or dirty potatoes may carry disease which could devastate the island’s seed potato industry. Please leave them behind. Note: washed or brushed potatoes in new packaging are permitted for consumption only.
Foxes, rabbits, deer and ferrets
These animals do not occur on Kangaroo Island and the introduction of these pests would create an environmental and agricultural disaster.
Declared weeds
This includes common garden plants such as gazania, olive, blackberry and arum lily.
Grape vine cuttings
All grape vine cuttings must be inspected and certified prior to entering Kangaroo Island to protect the grape industry. Contact the Department of Primary Industries and Regions Kingscote office on (08) 8553 4949.
Fresh fruit and vegetables if you are travelling from a declared fruit fly outbreak area
Check the fruit fly outbreak map to see if your area is affected, so you can understand the restrictions that apply.
Domestic pigs and goats
These are declared animals on Kangaroo Island and a permit is required to keep them. Click here for more information.
Marine pests on boats
Marine pests are a major threat to marine environments. Please clean your boat and equipment carefully before leaving for the island. Click here for more information.
Other things you can do to help
Before travelling to Kangaroo Island check to make sure what you are bringing is clean
What you bring could contain residual plant material like weed seeds, animal and plant diseases. Make sure they are free of soil. Check your:
- cars, machinery and vehicles
- camping equipment
- hiking boots
- other outdoor equipment.
Practice good farm biosecurity
When visiting local farms or agricultural land, make sure you follow instructions before entering the property. Farm biosecurity is designed to protect a property from the entry and spread of pests and diseases. Click here for more information.
Report sightings of pests
If you see an animal or plant pest while on Kangaroo Island, please report it immediately to the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board on 08 8553 2476.
Pests include:
- feral pigs
- foxes
- rabbits
- ferrets
- declared weeds
- feral goats
- feral deer
- European wasps, click here for a guide to identify them.
Register your domestic cat
The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board is working to eradicate feral cats from the Dudley Peninsula by mid-2025. Click here for more information about the Feral Cat Eradication Program.
To support eradication efforts and reduce the risk of uncontained domestic cats re-establishing populations of feral cats, the Kangaroo Island Council have introduced by-laws relating to the keeping of pet cats. All domestic cats on Kangaroo Island must be:
- registered
- micro-chipped
- de-sexed*
- contained to your premises (House) unless in a contained run
- restricted to no more than two cats per premises*.
A full version of the by-laws can be downloaded here.
*Registered cat breeders can be given permission from the Council to own more cats. Registration must be made with the Council on an annual basis. Registered catteries are also exempt.
For more information visit the Kangaroo Island Council.
Our strategic approach
The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board takes a strategic approach to keeping KI safe from pests and diseases, and to get rid of and control those already here. The support of our community, industries and visitors to the island is essential to the success of this strategy. The Kangaroo Island Biosecurity Strategy 2017-2027 is based on the following objectives:
- Systems are in place for the early detection of biosecurity threats to Kangaroo Island.
- A strategic, targeted risk-based response prioritises current and emerging biosecurity threats
- Biosecurity requirements, roles and responsibilities are clearly defined for all agencies, industries and the community
- Kangaroo Island has the capability to respond to high-risk biosecurity threats
- Management of existing pests, weeds and diseases is coordinated across the public and private sectors to limit their spread and impact
- Effective leadership, planning, evaluation and improvement of Kangaroo Island's biosecurity system.