Lavinia Zirnsak has cultivated a career within the horticulture and agricultural industries over two decades. Spending most of that time supporting Agriculture Victoria and its predecessors. Agriculture Victoria works towards prevention of pest establishment and containment and management of pests if they are unable to be eradicated. 

Lavinia’s background in biological sciences and entomology, has seen Lavinia work as a research scientist, industry development officer, agronomist, exotic pest specialist and currently is a senior officer within the Chief Plant Health Officer Branch for Biosecurity and Agriculture Services.

Lavinia manages the containment programs for the Domestic Quarantine team which creates policies and strategies to assist with the prevention of exotic pests becoming established within Victoria.

Lavinia has a passion for integrated pest management, research, and surveillance for early detection of pests and diseases. She enjoys working with industries to preparing them for biosecurity threats and management.

Lavinia frequently performs the role of state biosecurity commander during emergency responses and has worked on many biosecurity incursions such as Varroa mite, locusts, Khapra beetle, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, and agriculture recovery due to fires and floods.

She currently works closely with the viticulture industry managing Phylloxera containment although participates in many other areas including protective cropping. Lavinia is enthusiastic about working with industry and organisations for best practise biosecurity.