This Part provides special powers for dealing with emergencies involving threats or harm to human health on a nationally significant scale (these are called human biosecurity emergencies).

The Governor - General may make a human biosecurity emergency declaration if the Health Minister is satisfied that the special powers in this Part are needed to deal with a human biosecurity emergency.

The Health Minister may exercise special powers under this Part to deal with a human biosecurity emergency, subject to limits and protections. These powers may be exercised anywhere in Australian territory.

The special emergency powers are in addition to the powers generally available under Chapter   2 (managing biosecurity risks: human health), which may also be used to deal with a human biosecurity emergency.