About SPHDS working groups
Background
Australia’s unique trade status occurs partly as a result of protecting the country’s agricultural industries from emergency plant pests and diseases. The Plant Health Committee (PHC) has been assigned the task of facilitating activities that will further improve Australia’s plant biosecurity. One outcome has been the establishment of SPHDS.
Sub-committee on Plant Health Diagnostic Standards (SPHDS)
SPHDS aims to sustain and improve the quality and reliability of plant diagnostics for emergency plant pests throughout Australia. This will be accomplished through various programs which will improve the nation’s capability in emergency plant pest diagnostics.
SPHDS is comprised of a Chair, Executive Officer, three Coordinators (Chairs of the working groups) and members who include representatives of universities, the CSIRO, museums, industries, government agencies, and the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry which has observer status.
SPHDS Governance and Structure Version 1.0 
PDF [18kb]
SPHDS Communication Strategy and Plan Version 3.0 PDF [104kb]
Coordinators Group
The Coordinators Group is the governing body of SPHDS and includes the Chair, Executive Officer and coordinators of the working groups. It is responsible for directing the work of the groups and setting their goals
Diagnostic Standards Working Group (DSWG)
The DSWG is responsible for:
- identification, facilitation, assessment, approval and review of national diagnostic standards for emergency plant pests
- identifying diagnostic training needs and coordinates the national plant diagnostic scholarship program.
National diagnostic protocol guidelines and reference standards
Expertise and Resources Working Group (ERWG)
The ERWG is responsible for:
- the designation of quality assured national reference laboratories and collections
- contributing to the population and validation of the data contained in the Plant Health Expertise Register.
Add your details to the Plant Health Experience Register
Accreditation Working Group (AWG)
The AWG is responsible for:
- working with the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) to develop, manage and audit the plant laboratory accreditation scheme
- developing proficiency testing arrangements that underpin the laboratory accreditation scheme.