Prevention is the most effective method of dealing with weeds. Once a weed has entered an area and become established, eradication is far more expensive and it is likely that greater resources will be required to control its further spread and reduce its impact.

The first step in weed prevention, and the most cost effective means of managing weeds, is preventing the entry of new weeds into Australia.

 

Once a weed has entered Australia, early detection and eradication is crucial to reduce its potential environmental and economic impacts. It is much easier to treat weeds when present in small numbers than when they are well established.
Early detection and eradication requires an awareness and understanding of the factors that favour the establishment and spread of weeds, and applying appropriate management practices that can prevent or reduce the risks.

The importance of weed spread prevention has grown with the recognition that the spread of most weeds occurs through similar pathways, such as the movement of goods, animals and vehicles contaminated with weed seeds. Currently, individual states and territories have different approaches to managing the spread of weeds.