An update on the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.
An independent review into the National Fire Ant Eradication Program is underway. The review, a key recommendation from the recent Senate inquiry, has been set up to determine whether current funding is adequate to meet eradication targets. The review is more focused on management and deliverables and was not specifically a technical review of the program’s feasibility and efficacy.
Currently, the program is operating under a budget of approximately $600 million covering the four-year period from 2023-2027. The federal government has committed $300 million, with the other 50% due to be funded by the state and territory governments.
However, the Invasive Species Council estimates that in order to have a chance of meeting the eradication target by 2032, it will actually require $200-300 million per year. If these estimates are correct, it suggests that funding may need to be doubled!
Although these figures are significant, the cost of doing nothing would mean fire ants spreading across Australia. Apart from any impacts on the Australian way of life, it has been estimated that fire ants could cost more than $2 billion a year to the Australian economy.
The findings of the review are due by December 2026.
Source: Independent review launched into fire ant eradication program amid ‘closing window of opportunity by Shari Hams. ABC News. September 25, 2025.
