They sit patiently at baggage carousels, weave between arriving passengers, and sniff out threats most of us never even think about. Australia's biosecurity detector dogs are a familiar sight at international airports but how much do travellers actually understand about what they do, and how do people feel when they encounter them?
That's exactly what UNE Business School Adjunct Associate Professor Susie Hester wants to find out and she needs your help.
Protecting Australia, One Sniff at a Time
Australia's biosecurity system is one of the most important and most complex in the world. It safeguards our multi-billion dollar agricultural industries, our unique natural environment, our culture, and our way of life from harmful pests and diseases that could cause devastating and irreversible damage if they crossed our borders unchecked.
Detector dogs are a frontline tool in that system. Trained to identify prohibited items in luggage and on passengers, these animals play a critical role in keeping Australia safe. But while researchers know a great deal about the detection capabilities of these dogs, there's a significant gap in our understanding: how does their visible presence at airports actually affect the people walking past them?
That's the question at the heart of a new research project and the answer could shape how Australia's biosecurity system operates for years to come.
A Survey That Could Make a Real Difference
Professor Hester is a Chief Investigator and currently Acting Director at the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA), a world-leading research centre based at the University of Melbourne, supported by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries.
UNE has a long-standing research relationship with CEBRA through the UNE Business School, and Professor Hester has led many of the centre's projects over the years. This latest project, Understanding Travellers' Perceptions of Biosecurity Detector Dogs, has been commissioned directly by DAFF, which is responsible for managing Australia's detector dog program and intends to use the findings to improve how the dogs are deployed and how biosecurity is communicated to the travelling public.
In short: your responses could directly influence real-world airport operations and biosecurity policy.
What's Involved?
The survey is open to anyone who has travelled through an Australian international airport and takes no more than 15 minutes to complete.
You'll be asked about your understanding of Australia's biosecurity system, the role detector dogs play in protecting the country, and some basic demographic and travel information. There are no trick questions, just honest responses that will help build a clearer picture of how travellers perceive and respond to biosecurity measures.
Your privacy is fully protected. All responses are completely anonymous. No identifying information is collected, and your answers cannot be linked back to you in any way, which means you can respond with complete honesty.
As a thank-you for your time, participants will have the option to enter a draw to win one of 25 x $50 gift cards. To ensure your survey responses remain anonymous, email addresses for the draw are submitted through a completely separate portal and are never linked to your answers.
About the Research
This project has received human research ethics approval from the University of Melbourne (ID 34918) and is funded by the Australian Government. Findings will be published in a final project report and as an openly accessible research article, with results expected to be released in late 2027.
Ready to Help Protect Australia?
Taking 15 minutes out of your day could contribute to a stronger, smarter biosecurity system for all Australians. Whether you barely noticed the dogs on your last trip or have always been curious about what they do, your perspective matters.
This research is conducted by the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA) and supervised by UNE Adjunct Associate Professor Susie Hester, on behalf of the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
