The Commonwealth government has accepted the basic tenets of the report of the Australian Quarantine Review (the ‘Nairn Review’), except for the recommendations to establish a statutory authority. Australia will maintain its existing high standards of quarantine and enhance activities such as community awareness, manageable risk (based on science), protection of Australia’s unique environment, external input to policy formulation, and recognition of the continuum of quarantine (pre‐border, border and post‐border). Greater emphasis will be given to improved consultation in risk analysis, increased monitoring for pests and diseases, and enhanced national preparedness and response capacity (especially for plants and aquatic animals).