Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an important issue due to its adverse impacts on public health, animal health, animal welfare and production, and the economy. Since 2001 there have been national and international efforts towards a ‘One Health’ approach to the management of AMR.
In 2015 the Australian Government released its first National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2015-2019 (National Strategy) and in 2016 the corresponding implementation plan. These have called for a collaborative effort to change practices that have contributed to the development of AMR and to implement new initiatives to reduce AMR and inappropriate antimicrobial usage (AMU).
In comparison to other countries Australia holds a reputation for low use of antimicrobial agents and low frequency of AMR, meaning our animal industries have a strong foundation from which to address AMR.
We have strong legislation around antimicrobial registration and use with prescription by registered veterinarians only. Antimicrobials important for human health that are of significant concern overseas have either not been registered or banned for use in animals in Australia. Similarly, Australia has legislation banning the use of antimicrobials as growth promotants within our intensive livestock industries.
Australia has been proactive in the adoption of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) principles, and continuation of this momentum through collaborative efforts will be vital to maintaining and improving our positive status for AMS.
The following report provides an overview of historical and current practices relevant to AMS in each of the contributing industries and is primarily intended for the stakeholders who are interested to know how the livestock industries operate in Australia.
Additional resources
Websites
- Australian Government website on AMR
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Australian Government – Australia’s First National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2015 -2019: Progress Report
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care – Antimicrobial use and resistance in AustraliaAgriculture Victoria – Antimicrobial Resistance
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) – Antibiotic resistance
- APVMA – Antibiotic resistance in animals report
- Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) – Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance
- Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) – Surveillance and reporting of AMR in animals and agriculture in Australia
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Preventing antimicrobial resistance
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – Antimicrobial Resistances
- World Health Organisation – Antimicrobial Resistance
- World Organisation for Animal Health – Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
- The University of Melbourne – Antimicrobial Stewardship
AMR Strategies and Plans
- Australian Government: Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy – 2020 and beyond
- Implementation Plan: Australia’s First National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2015 – 2019
- World Health Organisation – Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance
- EU One Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance
Prescribing and Use Guidelines
- AVA – Prescribing veterinary antibiotics
- AVA Appendix 15 – Code of Practice for Prescription and Use of Products Which Contain Antimicrobial Agents
- Antimicrobial Prescribing Guidelines for Pigs (pdf – 8 MB)
- Antimicrobial Prescribing Guidelines for Poultry (pdf – 4 MB)
- Antimicrobial Prescribing Guidelines for Sheep (pdf – 2 MB)
- Australasian Infectious Diseases Advisory Panel (AIDAP) – Antibiotic Prescribing Detailed Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
- National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship (NCAS) Resources for Veterinarians