1. fast-moving infectious disease outbreaks of natural origin
2. biological weapons threats
3. the risks associated with research on pathogenic micro-organisms
4. the relevance and applications of new technologies to Biosecurity
5. disease impact on health governance, state functioning and economy

There are extensive synergies and overlaps between each of these disease-based security challenges, so the work of the Centre receives input from a variety of disciplines including microbiology, epidemiology, law, ethics, and international security studies.

Capacities of the Centre include:

• High-level, multi-disciplinary research collaboration and supervision
• Emphasis on raising biosecurity awareness among scientists within Australia
• Fostering international information exchanges, especially within the Asia-Pacific region
• An epidemiologists network for responding to emerging infectious diseases in the region
• Close working relationships with government agencies
• Emphasis on horizon-scanning capabilities for emerging threats and technologies
• Consultancy with public and private sector