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The Annual Diagnosticians’ Workshops (ADWs) help improve the delivery of plant health diagnostic services.

About the ADW

The ADW is a forum for people involved in plant heath diagnostics to come together and share their experiences and build their professional networks. Participants all jurisdictions, private-sector laboratories, universities and other organisations attend the ADW each year.

The inaugural ADW was held in 2012 in Brisbane. Since then, the location of the ADW has alternated between Australian capital cities. The workshops are run in a two-day ‘mini conference’ format, with optional training workshops offered in the same week.

The ADWs were initiated by the Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostics (SPHD) and are now run by the NPBDN.

Content

The workshop theme changes each year but generally include the following:

  • Presentations from NPBDN members in symposium-style sessions where NPBDN members can present their work on any topic related to plant pest diagnostics
  • Invited speakers relevant to the theme and provide different perspectives on what the future of plant biosecurity diagnostics may bring.
  • Interactive panel sessions and workshops
  • Diagnostic Residential Reports from those who completed their residential in the last year.
  • National plant health diagnostic updates such as SPHD, National Diagnostic Protocols, National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Strategy, the network and other relevant updates.
  • Networking to build stronger diagnostic capability. Participants can network, engage and connect throughout the workshop and at a workshop dinner.

Attendance

Attendance is open to all NPBDN members through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process advertised at the end of each year.

Presentations

NPBDN members are invited to present a 10-minute talk (plus questions) on any topic relating to plant pest diagnostics. The call for abstracts is as part of the EOI process each year.

Funding

The National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic and Surveillance Professional Development and Protocols Projects are coordinated and delivered by Plant Health Australia and are funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The objectives of the Projects are to enhance and strengthen Australia’s diagnostic and surveillance capacity and capability to identify priority plant pests that impact on plant industries, environment and the community.