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Antibiotic Resistance Australia

Australia's evidence-based, medically reviewed guide to antibiotic resistance.

Independent public-health resource
Content last reviewed 3 July 2026

Australia's response

Australia's response, in a global context

Australia has a coordinated national response to antibiotic resistance that spans human health, animals, agriculture and the environment, and connects to the global framework led by the World Health Organization.

Scope: This pillar covers policy and governance for antibacterial resistance in Australia. It is informational and does not represent any government body.

The National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy

Australia's plan

Australia's response is organised around a national strategy jointly owned by the health and agriculture portfolios. It sets shared objectives across human and animal health, reflecting the One Health idea that resistance cannot be managed in one sector alone.1

The strategy covers surveillance, stewardship, infection prevention, awareness, research, and clear lines of accountability, with progress reported over time.

Who does what

The governance map

Several bodies share responsibility. Knowing which does what helps make sense of Australian guidance and data.

Table 1. Key bodies in Australia's AMR response
BodyMain role
ACSQHCAustralian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Runs the AURA national surveillance system and hospital stewardship standards.
Department of Health and Aged CareLeads the human-health side of the national strategy and immunisation policy.
DAFFDepartment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Leads the animal and agriculture side under One Health.
APVMAAustralian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. Regulates veterinary antibiotics.
TGATherapeutic Goods Administration. Regulates antibiotics for human use.
Australia in the world

Australia's work sits within the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, which sets shared objectives for member countries, and contributes to global surveillance through GLASS, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System.2

Progress, targets and accountability

Progress is tracked through national surveillance and periodic reporting. For the underlying numbers, see our statistics for Australia. Policy-facing briefings and evidence packs are gathered inwhat you can do, for policymakers.

References

  1. Australian Government. Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2020 and Beyond. Department of Health and Aged Care and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.
  2. World Health Organization. Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. WHO, Geneva, 2015.