Primary Industries Minister Sarah Courtney said the new jobs would further strengthen biosecurity in the state.

“These new jobs are part of a major $8.6 million investment in Tasmania’s biosecurity announced in the 2018-19 state budget to ensure the state continues to respond to the challenges of increased trade and a growing economy,” she said.

Ms Courtney said the job ads had appeared online and would be published in the three Tasmanian newspapers on Saturday, asking for applications to fill the roles of biosecurity inspectors, industry collaboration manager, specialist adviser (fruit fly) and planning officer (biosecurity risk).

She said three new biosecurity inspectors would target high risk produce coming into the State.

The industry collaboration manager will help build strong industry partnerships and ensure primary producers have accurate and current information on trade related pests.

A specialist adviser (fruit fly) will provide industry analysis and advice focusing on trade and market access specifically relating to the risk of fruit fly incursions and other trade related pests.

The planning officer (business risk) will help expand Biosecurity Tasmania’s collaboration with industry groups and farmers to plan for and manage post-border biosecurity risks and to support on-farm biosecurity hygiene strategies.