The National Fire Ant Eradication Program, formed by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, 39 aims to eradicate fire ants from Australia by 2032. To achieve this target, the federal government, in collaboration with the states and territories, created a $592.8 million Fire Ant Response Plan to fund fire ant management and eradication activities from 2023 to 2027.

Current funding by federal, state and territory governments is far below what is required to eradicate fire ants in Australia, putting all Australians, and their pets, at risk. 

Key points

• State and federal government funding to eradicate fire ants is well below the $300 million per year recommended by government experts.
• International data suggests 30% of people in fire ant-infested areas get stung each year, with risk of anaphylactic shock. Pets are also at risk.
• If allowed to spread across Australia, fire ant stings would result in an extra 624,000 medical visits for humans and 2.3 million vet visits for pets.
• This could see over 30 people and thousands of pets die each year.