A brief history of AAHL

Abstract

The CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) was officially opened on 1 April 1985. After that day the laboratory switched to secure mode and has operated as such ever since. AAHL was constructed to be the primary national diagnostic facility for exotic animal diseases but has expanded its role to become a national and international reference laboratory for many diseases. AAHL has supported disease control within the region by providing training, reagents and proficiency testing, both within Australia and internationally. AAHL's role has evolved even further to include a focus on one-health which resulted in AAHL being renamed the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in March 2020.