A NSW Government website

Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta)

Information about fire ants and stopping their spread in NSW

NSW Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order (No 7) 2024

Restrictions apply on the movement of fire ant carrier material. The revised Order:A new Biosecurity (fire ants) Emergency Order (No. 7) has been published following fire ant detections in southeast QLD.

NSW DPI has been notified by the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) of confirmed outlying fire ant nests at Nerimba, Currumbin Waters and Meringandan West, QLD. The Currumbin Waters nest is approximately 500m from the NSW border and will impact some NSW residents. The existing NSW fire ant infested area including Piggabeen and Cobaki will now extend a further 700m into NSW.



Anyone bringing organic mulch, compost, growing media, manure, soil, hay, straw, chaff, silage, potted plants, turf, agricultural equipment, earth moving equipment, sand, gravel, chitters, coal fines, coal stone, overburden and decomposed granite into NSW from Queensland must comply with the current NSW Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order.

Read the Emergency Order Plain English Guide (PDF, 2404.45 KB)


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Local information

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Use the online form for any suspicious sightings or call 1800 680 244.