Biosecurity bill mirrors century of change

The Abbott government says an update of biosecurity laws will be the biggest change to the system in more than a century.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce announced plans on Monday to replace the Quarantine Act 1908 with the Biosecurity Bill 2014.

It will be "clearer, easier to use" legislation that will cut more than $6.9 million in annual compliance costs for businesses, and give the commonwealth new powers to manage nationally significant pest or disease outbreaks.

It will also allow a business's compliance history to be factored into decisions on imported goods or biosecurity checks.

Mr Joyce said the risks the nation faces have changed significantly since the legislation was first enacted more than a century ago.

"More people, animals, goods and vessels are moving through Australia's borders than ever before - and this is only going to increase," he said in a statement.

It's not the first time efforts have been made to revamp the legislation. A bill was first introduced in 2012 and then referred to a parliamentary inquiry, which never reported as parliament was pro-rogued.