Enhancement of AURA Surveillance System
National AMR Strategy Objective 5: Integrated surveillance and response to resistance and usage
The Australian Government continues to fund the Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia (AURA) Surveillance System. This collects and reports on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health.
From 1 January 2021 the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care took over management of the AURA Surveillance System. The Australian Commission on Safety and Health Care previously managed it.
We use data from AURA to help us create policies about antimicrobial resistance in Australia. We will also use data from AURA to help develop the national One Health Surveillance System.
Learn more about the AURA Surveillance System.
National One Health Surveillance System
National AMR Strategy Objective 5: Integrated surveillance and response to resistance and usage
Australia is establishing a national One Health Surveillance System that will collect and report on AMR and antimicrobial use across the different One Health sectors:
- human health
- animal health
- agriculture
- food
- the environment.
A nationally coordinated system will help us understand the magnitude, distribution and emergence of resistant organisms that could put human and animal health at risk or affect the safety of our food supply.
We can use the data collected through this surveillance system to guide research, appropriate antimicrobial use activities and the public health response to this issue.
We will update this information and timelines as the project progresses.
National surveillance of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in retail food
National AMR Strategy Objective 5: Integrated surveillance and response to resistance and usage
Australia is working on a 2-year project looking at antimicrobial resistance in the Australian food supply. We will collect samples of poultry, pork and beef from retail stores and test them for the presence of antimicrobial resistant microbes.
This surveillance will provide a national baseline for antimicrobial resistant foodborne organisms and other bacteria. One aim of this project is to provide data that we can integrate and compare to human, animal and environmental data. This is part of an Australian One Health approach.
To make sure that the surveillance plan meets the highest international standards, the Australian Government has consulted with:
- an expert advisory group
- partners with extensive experience in antimicrobial resistance and surveillance.
Food sampling will occur over 10 months from 2022 to 2023, beginning in August 2022.
More information about this project is available on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website.
National One Health AMR research and development agenda
National AMR Strategy Objective 6: A strong collaborative research agenda across all sectors
Australia is developing a research and development agenda to guide research in AMR and antimicrobial use across all One Health sectors.
The purpose of this agenda is to identify priority areas for research in Australia and opportunities for collaboration at both the national and the international level. It will not grant opportunities or funding for research.
We will work with stakeholders across the One Health sectors to identify gaps and priority areas for research on the prevention, detection, and containment of AMR. This will allow researchers to collaborate across different sectors and provide the best return on research investment, and to reduce duplication.
Pricing and Reimbursement Scoping Study
National AMR Strategy Objective 6: A strong collaborative research agenda across all sectors
Australia is looking at ways to promote research into new types of antimicrobials through the Pricing and Reimbursement Scoping Study.
This scoping study will look at funding models and other incentives that could be used in Australia to support innovative research for novel antibiotics to improve market access.
National One Health Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
National AMR Strategy Objective 3: Greater engagement in the combat against resistance
Australia will introduce a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to measure progress towards achieving the objectives of the National AMR Strategy – 2020 and beyond.
The purpose of this framework is to assess the effectiveness of activities and projects in addressing AMR.
The Australian Government will work with partners to develop this framework and decide whether to include specific targets or outcomes.