Australia's bird flu situation has changed significantly in recent weeks and if you keep poultry, whether a backyard flock of six hens or a larger commercial operation, this is information worth understanding clearly.
What has happened
In June 2026, Australia confirmed its first detections of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza in wild seabirds in Western Australia. Since then, the virus has been detected in wild seabirds in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.
On 3 August 2026, the Australian Government confirmed the first mass mortality event caused by H5 bird flu after 49 dead and 35 sick greater crested terns were found by aerial surveillance teams at an offshore location south of Cape Jaffa, South Australia.
As of 6 August 2026, Australia has 123 confirmed detections of H5 bird flu in wild birds.
There remains no evidence of the virus in Australia's commercial poultry or agricultural production system. That is genuinely good news. However, the situation is developing and the advice from federal and state authorities is consistent: now is the time for every poultry owner to review their biosecurity practices, not after the virus reaches farm birds.
What H5 bird flu is and why it matters
H5 is a highly contagious strain of avian influenza that is spreading rapidly across the globe. Unlike many other bird flu strains, H5 viruses are more infectious and have been detected in a wide range of species, including poultry, wild birds, mammals such as dairy cattle, and occasionally humans. Overseas, this virus has caused major losses of poultry, as well as mass mortalities among wild birds and mammals, especially marine mammals and mammals that eat birds.
The risk to human health remains very low, but rare infections can occur following close contact with infected birds, their droppings or contaminated environments.
What the risk is to backyard flocks right now
The current risk to backyard flocks remains low. However, good biosecurity is the key to protecting your backyard poultry against H5 bird flu and other diseases. No matter how many birds you have, all poultry owners have a role to play in preparedness.
The federal Agriculture Minister has warned that Australians should expect to see more spread and larger numbers of wildlife affected as the virus continues to move through wild bird populations. It is not possible to prevent wildlife from moving around, and that will mean more mass mortality events. For poultry owners, the practical implication is that the gap between the virus being in wild birds and the risk reaching domestic flocks narrows as detections spread geographically.
What you can do right now
The good news is that straightforward biosecurity measures significantly reduce the risk of H5 bird flu reaching your flock. Here is what authorities are recommending for backyard and small flock owners.
Limit contact between your domestic birds and wild birds wherever possible. This is the single most important step. Keeping birds under cover and separate from wild birds will help protect them from bird flu.
Keep feed and water in areas that wild birds cannot access. Prevent poultry and other kept birds from accessing dams, ponds or other water sources where wild birds congregate.
Keep sheds, outdoor areas and equipment clean and disinfected regularly. Wash hands before and after handling birds or eggs. Quarantine any newly acquired birds before introducing them to an existing flock.
Know what to look for. The first sign of bird flu may be the sudden death of some poultry. Other signs include respiratory symptoms, swollen heads or discolouration around the face and comb. H5 bird flu should be considered if a high proportion of a flock becomes ill very quickly, progressing from normal to severe illness or death within 24 to 48 hours.
Report anything unusual immediately. If you suspect H5 bird flu in your poultry or captive birds, contact the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. Do not wait to see if things improve.
For commercial and larger operations
Poultry producers are reminded that on-farm biosecurity practices are crucial to protect the health of their flocks. The federal government has endorsed a heightened biosecurity approach for commercial producers, including options to house free-range birds where practical while maintaining animal welfare standards. This is a time-limited precautionary measure while enhanced national surveillance continues.
Where to stay updated
The situation is changing quickly. The most reliable sources for current information are the Australian Government's dedicated bird flu page at birdflu.gov.au and your state's primary industries department.
At Austral Ag we stock a range of poultry health and biosecurity products to help you keep your flock protected. Browse the full poultry range or contact our Toowoomba team for advice.
Sources
- Animal Health Australia, Avian Influenza (Bird Flu), updated August 2026. animalhealthaustralia.com.au/resources/threat-updates/avian-influenza
- Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Bird Flu (Avian Influenza), updated 6 August 2026. agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu
- Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, H5 Bird Flu Updates. agriculture.gov.au/about/news/H5-bird-flu-updates
- Agriculture Victoria, Avian Influenza Information for Backyard Poultry Owners. agriculture.vic.gov.au
- RMIT University, More Cases of H5 Bird Flu Confirmed: What It Means for Poultry and Public Health, August 2026. rmit.edu.au
- Al Jazeera, Australia Warns H5N1 Likely to Spread After First Mass Mortality Episode, August 2026. aljazeera.com
