Industry Update

Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) - South Perth Outbreak

Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) has been detected in the South Perth area. Response activities are progressing to support eradication. 

Industry Webinar

Industry stakeholders are invited to attend an upcoming webinar providing a detailed update on the Qfly response and what it means for industry.

This webinar will provide industry with an update on the current Qfly response, what it means for industry, and how industry and the community can support eradication efforts. The session will cover:

• An overview of Queensland fruit fly, its lifecycle and key host fruit
• Why Qfly is a pest of economic significance and the potential impacts of establishment in Western Australia
• Details of the South Perth detection and the biosecurity response underway
• Quarantine zones (red, orange and green), movement controls and what is required in each zone
• Current surveillance, trapping and eradication activities
• Practical actions for growers, businesses and supply chains to reduce risk
• How industry can assist, including reporting and compliance
• An opportunity to ask questions and clarify obligations

This session is intended for growers, packers, transporters, market agents and other industry stakeholders who may be affected by, or have an interest in, the Qfly response.

Wed, 6 May 2026 10:00am - 10:30am

Current Status

The Quarantine Area established on 17 April 2026 remains in place as response and eradication activities continue across South Perth and surrounding suburbs. Operations are progressing as planned, with a focus on baiting, property visits, surveillance and community engagement to the prevent further spread of Qfly.

The Quarantine Area consists of the:

• Red Zone (Corrective Action Zone) – intensive eradication activities, including movement controls
• Orange Zone (Export Assurance Zone – buffer area with movement controls in place

What we are doing

Response activities have entered an expanded operational phase.

• There are an estimated 8,500 properties within the Red Zone, visits will continue progressively across the zone in the coming weeks.
• Activities within the Red Zone include property visits, street baiting, deployment of lures, supplementary trapping, surveillance and community engagement.

These activities are designed to supress Qfly populations and support eradication.

What this means for industry

Quarantine zones and movement controls remain in place to manage biosecurity risk and protect market access.

• Movement restrictions for host fruit and fruiting vegetables continue to apply within the Red and Orange Zones.
• Businesses operating within, or moving produce through, the quarantine area must ensure compliance with approved movement and treatment requirements.

Perth Markets fall within the Orange Zone, and work is ongoing to minimise risk while supporting continuity of trade.

The full Quarantine Area Notice can be found on wa.gov.au/qfly

Next steps

Response activities will continue to scale across the Red Zone in the coming weeks. Property visits, surveillance, baiting, supplementary trapping and community engagement will be progressively expanded to ensure comprehensive coverage of the quarantine area.

Additional staff area being onboarded to support operations, incident management and community and industry engagement.

Ongoing engagement with residents, industry and stakeholders will remain a priority to support movement controls, provide accurate and timely information and promote the actions required to support successful eradication.

Working with industry

We are committed to keeping industry informed and engaged throughout the response. Stakeholder feedback will continue to inform response activities where appropriate. 

Reporting and information

Suspected Qfly can be reported to the Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080 or via the MyPestGuide® Reporter app.

Up-to-date information is available at: wa.gov.au/qfly

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Important disclaimer
The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.

Copyright © State of Western Australia (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development), 2026