Attributable to acting Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer Allison Jones:
On 23 September 2026, DAFF National Border Surveillance officers conducted routine surveillance at an Approved Arrangement Facility in Strathfield, Sydney, and found ant specimens in a trap.
The ants were confirmed to be red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) on 25 September. DAFF officers attended the site, found two nests within concreted areas and the nests were treated.
DAFF and NSW DPIRD are working together in this initial response through searching the surrounding areas and tracing possible pathways. At this stage there is no evidence of spread beyond the site.
The facility regularly handles and treats goods under biosecurity control and is routinely checked under DAFF’s risk-based surveillance program.
Genetic analysis by the Queensland National Fire Ant Eradication Program confirmed the ants were not from South East Queensland – the only active infestation of fire ants in Australia.
This is evidence of Australia’s biosecurity system working as it should, with routine surveillance detecting the ants and triggering initial treatment of the nest and a fast response.
Six other red imported fire ant detections have been recorded through border and near-border activities in 2025 and 2026 up to 30 September 2026 – with all six being destroyed.
As the relevant jurisdiction, NSW will be the lead on this response.
