Centre for Invasive Species Solutions

What Centre for Invasive Species Solutions does

Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS) is an Australian not-for-profit, member-based research organisation headquartered at the University of Canberra in Bruce, ACT, founded in 2005 (originally as the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, rebranded in 2017). Its mission is to deliver collaborative research, development, and extension solutions that protect Australia's economy, environment, and communities from invasive species. CISS works through a 17-partner collaborative model spanning federal and state government agencies, Research and Development Corporations (Meat & Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation), universities (University of Adelaide, LaTrobe, Griffith, University of Canberra), CSIRO, industry peak bodies, and community groups. The organisation addresses invasive animals (feral cats, foxes, rabbits, feral pigs, wild dogs, feral deer) and weeds that cost the Australian economy an estimated $5 billion (weeds) and up to $797 million (pest animals to agriculture) annually, and impact 82% of Australia's threatened species.

CISS operates an integrated technology stack built around digital citizen science platforms, biological control agents, and chemical/lethal products. Its core digital platforms include FeralScan (with sub-brands DeerScan, WildDogScan, RabbitScan), WeedScan (AI-powered weed identification), PestSmart, and Weeds Australia — collectively serving more than 38,000 users and 620+ community groups with over 240,000 pest records. The technology stack also includes AI/ML-based image recognition for weeds and wild dog facial recognition in 4G camera trap systems, as well as R&D pipelines for genetic biocontrol (a world-first gene drive for invasive mouse management). Commercial products developed through CISS's R&D pipeline include RHDV1 K5 rabbit biocontrol (2017), HOGGONE meSN feral pig baits (2020, achieving 70-90% activity reduction), PAPPutty (2024, 85%+ capture success), PIGOUT feral pig baits (2008), PAPP baits for wild dogs and foxes (2017), the Feral Deer Aggregator (commercialised 2022), and the HOGHOPPER bait delivery system. These products are manufactured and distributed through Animal Control Technologies Australia (ACTA) under APVMA registrations.

CISS's revenue model is non-commercial: it is funded through membership contributions from state/territory governments, the ACT Government, Commonwealth Departments, industry RDCs, and environmental advocacy bodies; direct government grants for specific research, development and extension (RD&E) projects (notably from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry); and philanthropic donations channelled through the Invasive Species Solutions Trust (launched December 2021). Major grant inflows include $50 million over four years from the 2017 Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, $20 million rebrand funding in 2017, and $8.7 million across the 2018 deer management collaboration. Distribution is achieved through free self-serve digital platforms, a national coordinator model for key pest species, multi-year government RD&E contracts, and a licensed product distribution relationship with ACTA. The organisation reports 81% of donations deployed directly to program delivery and has delivered a claimed $5 return for every $1 invested in research over a five-year period.

Name

Centre for Invasive Species Solutions

Legal name

Centre for Invasive Species Solutions

Website

https://invasives.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions is an Australian not-for-profit research organisation that delivers collaborative R&D, citizen science digital platforms, and biocontrol products to protect agriculture, biodiversity, and communities from invasive species across Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Invasive Species Management Research Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sanitation, Habitat Modification & Prevention Consulting (HSAMAFAJ)

Keywords

• Invasive species research
• Pest animal management
• Biological control solutions
• Citizen science monitoring
• Weed management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Canberra

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Contributions: CISS operations are primarily funded and supported by cash and in-kind contributions from members, associate members and partners including State Governments, the ACT Government, Commonwealth Departments, industry groups, Research and Development Corporations, and environmental advocacy bodies.
2. Government Grants and RD&E Project Funding: CISS receives direct funding from Australian Government Departments (e.g., Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry), state government agencies, and industry Research and Development Corporations for specific research, development and extension projects.
3. Philanthropic Donations and Trust Revenue: The Invasive Species Solutions Trust, launched in December 2021, provides a philanthropic revenue stream. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible. CISS received an Australian Biosecurity Award for its role in coordinating the RHDV1 K5 rabbit biocontrol virus. 81% of donations go to protecting Australia from invasive species.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS) is Australia's only not-for-profit dedicated to collaborative research, development, and extension for invasive species management. Its core offerings include a suite of free citizen science digital platforms (FeralScan, WeedScan, PestSmart, Weeds Australia) that enable community pest monitoring and best-practice resource sharing, alongside commercialised biological and chemical control products (HOGGONE, PIGOUT, PAPPutty, RHDV1 K5 rabbit biocontrol) developed through its R&D pipeline and distributed via ACTA. CISS also delivers national coordinator programs, extension services such as LandSmart Services and WeedRemeed, and collaborative research partnerships with federal/state agencies, RDCs, universities, and industry.

Product overview

Centre for Invasive Species Solutions is a not-for-profit research organization that has developed an integrated portfolio of digital platforms, biological control agents, and chemical products for invasive species management across Australia. The core offering consists of multiple citizen science platforms (FeralScan ecosystem including DeerScan, WildDogScan, RabbitScan), national best practice knowledge hubs (PestSmart, Weeds Australia), and commercialized pest management products developed through Animal Control Technologies Australia (HOGGONE®, PIGOUT®, PAPPutty™, DOGABAIT®/FOXECUTE®). The organization also maintains research pipelines for emerging solutions including the Feral deer aggregator and gene drive technologies for mouse management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FeralScan: Community pest animal monitoring platform and app for recording and managing pest animals including wild dogs, feral deer, foxes, and other invasive species
• PestSmart
• Weeds Australia
• WeedScan
• DeerScan
• WildDogScan
• RabbitScan

Products and services

• FeralScan Community citizen science platform and mobile app for recording and managing pest animals including wild dogs, feral deer, rabbits, foxes, and feral pigs across Australia. Used by over 620 community groups and ~38,000 users.
• WeedScan AI-powered weed identification and management tool enabling land managers to identify and track priority weeds using photo analysis and machine learning, with cloud-based drone weed detection at landscape scale.
• PestSmart National platform providing best-practice management resources, Codes of Practice, training materials, and tools for vertebrate pest management including feral animals.
• Weeds Australia National hub for weed management information, species details, and management tools supporting on-ground weed control efforts across Australia.
• DeerScan Community feral deer monitoring tool integrated with FeralScan for reporting deer sightings, damage, and management activities across Australia.
• RabbitScan Rabbit biocontrol tracking tool for monitoring rabbit populations and virus spread including RHDV1 K5 and RHDV2 across community sites.
• LandSmart Services On-ground land management advisory services supporting best-practice invasive species management for landholders and communities.
• WeedRemeed Weed management advisory service providing practical solutions and resources for integrated weed control.
• RHDV1 K5 rabbit biocontrol Korean strain of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus released nationally in March 2017 as the first new rabbit biocontrol agent in over 20 years.
• HOGGONE meSN feral pig baits Humane feral pig bait using sodium nitrite that kills by methaemoglobinaemia; field studies showed 70–90% reduction in feral pig activity. Manufactured by ACTA.
• PAPPutty PAPP paste formulation for self-euthanasia of wild dogs and foxes captured in foothold traps; over 85% capture success rate in field trials. Applied via cloth wraps on trap jaws.
• ACTA DOGABAIT/FOXECUTE PAPP baits PAPP-based poison baits for wild dogs and foxes, released in 2017 for coordinated predator management programs and manufactured by ACTA.
• ACTA PIGOUT feral pig baits Original feral pig bait product released in 2008 by Animal Control Technologies Australia for landscape-scale feral pig management.
• Feral deer aggregator Deer-specific feed aggregator designed to attract feral deer while excluding non-target native species such as kangaroos and possums; uses a grid mechanism allowing deer's hooves to pass through but preventing larger animals from accessing feed.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% of Australia's threatened species are impacted by invasive species
• +10 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Animal Health AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2019Co-host of the inaugural Australian Biosecurity Symposium in June 2019 alongside ISC and CISS. AHA is a not-for-profit public company facilitating partnerships between governments, major livestock industries, and other stakeholders to protect animal health and the sustainability of Australia's livestock industry.
• Invasive Species CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2019Co-host of the inaugural Australian Biosecurity Symposium in June 2019 alongside AHA and CISS. Founded in 2002, ISC focuses on prevention and early action against weeds, feral animals, and other harmful invaders threatening the Australian environment.
• NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2018Partner in Australia's largest deer management research collaboration. Contributed to the Cost-effective Management of Wild Deer project and the National Wild Dog Management Coordinator. NSW DPI also led development of PAPPutty.
• NSW Local Land Services (NSW LLS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2018Partner in Australia's largest deer management research collaboration. NSW LLS works with landholders and communities on wild dog management and deer monitoring across NSW.
• Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources / Victorian Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2018Partner in Australia's largest deer management research collaboration. Led the Role of Wild Deer in Transmission of Diseases to Livestock project (P01-L-002). ARI contributed researchers including Dr Carlo Pacioni and Dr Dave Ramsey.
• Queensland Department of Agriculture and FisheriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2018Partner in Australia's largest deer management research collaboration. Led the Management of Wild Dog and Deer in Peri-urban Landscapes project for QLD, addressing deer management in urban and peri-urban environments.
• ACT Parks and Conservation ServicesecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2018Partner in Australia's largest deer management research collaboration representing the ACT government in the national deer management effort.
• University of CanberrasecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2018Partner in Australia's largest deer management research collaboration. University of Canberra is also home to CISS's head office (Building 22) and contributes to research capability.
• Griffith UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2018Partner in Australia's largest deer management research collaboration, contributing research capacity to national deer management RD&E efforts.
• LaTrobe UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2018Partner in Australia's largest deer management research collaboration. Contributed researchers Dr Karla Jayne Helbig and Dr Teresa Carvalho to the Role of Wild Deer in Transmission of Diseases to Livestock project.
• Brisbane City Council, Charters Towers Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Regional CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2018Three local councils as partners in Australia's largest deer management research collaboration, contributing local government perspective and on-ground management needs for deer in peri-urban and regional landscapes.
• Ecotone Wildlife Vet Services, eSYS Development Pty Ltd, Tasmanian Land ConservancysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2018Three private environmental groups as partners in Australia's largest deer management research collaboration, contributing specialist wildlife, economic analysis, and conservation land management expertise.
• All Australian State and Territory GovernmentscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2017All Australian state and territory governments participated in the national release and monitoring of RHDV1 K5 rabbit biocontrol agent in March 2017 — the first nationally coordinated vertebrate pest biocontrol release in over 20 years.
• Sheep Producers AustraliasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the National Wild Dog Action Plan and supporter of CISS wild dog management programs. Represents Australian sheep producers and supports industry investment in vertebrate pest management.
• Wool Producers AustraliasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the National Wild Dog Action Plan and supporter of CISS wild dog management programs. Wool Producers Australia represents wool growers nationally.
• Cattle AustraliasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the National Wild Dog Action Plan and supporter of CISS wild dog management programs representing beef cattle producers.
• Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed the Feral Deer Aggregator project (P01-T-001) as project lead. Contributed to Australia's largest deer management research collaboration worth $8.7 million, involving five state/territory governments.
• South Australian Department for Environment and Water (SA DEW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Feral Deer Aggregator project and Australia's largest deer management research collaboration. SA DEW contributed staff and resources to deer management field trials.
• University of AdelaidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey research partner in the Genetic Technology for Mouse Management project (A-030). Contributed researchers including Professor Paul Thomas (project lead), Dr Joshua Ross, and Dr Thomas Prowse for gene drive biocontrol development.
• CSIROcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on genetic biocontrol research (Dr Owain Edwards, Dr Tanja Strive, Rahul Rane) and rabbit biocontrol. Dr Strive leads CISS's biocontrol program. CSIRO contributed to the $5 return per $1 invested research outcomes and rabbit virus programs.
• Animal Control Technologies Australia (ACTA) Pty LtdcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerManufacturer and distributor of pest control products developed through CISS's R&D pipeline including PIGOUT, HOGGONE, PAPPutty, and PAPP baits. ACTA holds APVMA registrations for these products and commercialises CISS-developed innovations.
• Connovation (New Zealand)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Zealand partner contributing to HOGGONE feral pig bait development and PAPPutty development. Brings international expertise and collaboration to CISS pest control product R&D.
• US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services and Texas Parks & Wildlife DepartmentsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS government partners contributing to the HOGGONE feral pig bait development, providing expertise from the US feral swine damage management program.
• National Farmers' Federation (NFF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFF supports CISS's national weeds RD&E program and advocates for strategic national investment in invasive species management. NFF's 2030 Roadmap targets $100 billion in farmgate output, with invasive species management as a key enabler.
• NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary research partner for FeralScan digital community platforms and Wild Dog Alert system development. Dr Peter Fleming and Dr Paul Meek from NSW DPI led key R&D projects for community pest monitoring technology.
• Threatened Species Recovery Hub (TSR Hub)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCISS collaborates with the TSR Hub — a collaboration of 10 Australian universities and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy — on research highlighting the impact of invasive species on Australia's 82% of threatened species.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Landcare Australia: National not-for-profit supporting community-led environmental and sustainable land management. Operates a similar member/partner/government-funded model with community groups as the on-ground delivery layer for landscape-scale restoration work.
• Animal Health Australia: Not-for-profit public company facilitating partnerships between Australian governments and livestock industries on biosecurity. Co-hosted the Australian Biosecurity Symposium with CISS and serves the same government/industry stakeholder set.
• Invasive Species Council: Australia's leading advocacy NGO focused on prevention and early action against invasive species. Co-hosted CISS's Australian Biosecurity Symposium; operates in the same invasive species policy space with strong overlap in stakeholder base (government, conservation groups, landholders).
• Greening Australia: Australia's largest environmental community enterprise focused on landscape restoration and conservation outcomes. Closely comparable as a non-profit receiving government, philanthropic, and corporate funding to deliver landscape-scale environmental outcomes.
• Threatened Species Recovery Hub: Collaboration of 10 Australian universities and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy producing research to recover threatened species. Frequently overlaps with CISS on invasive species-threatened species research and shares government funding sources and research audiences.

Regional players

• Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research: New Zealand Crown Research Institute conducting environmental, biosecurity, and land management research. Highly comparable operating model and stakeholder base in a neighboring jurisdiction with shared invasive species challenges (rabbits, deer, possums, predators).
• Scion (New Zealand Forest Research Institute): Crown-owned New Zealand research institute delivering forestry, biosecurity, and environmental research with a similar collaborative partnership model. Comparable in mission and revenue model as a mission-driven research entity.

Others

• Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD WA): Western Australian government agency that delivers RD&E on invasive species and pest management. Functions as both a co-funder and natural comparative state-level research entity serving agriculture, biodiversity, and community biosecurity outcomes analogous to CISS.

Broad incumbents

• CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International): Intergovernmental not-for-profit applying scientific expertise to agriculture and environmental challenges globally, including invasive species. Functions as a much larger, international analogue to CISS with similar science-to-practice translation mission.
• USDA APHIS Wildlife Services: US federal program addressing wildlife damage management, including invasive species control. Operates at much larger scale in a different jurisdiction but pursues analogous feral animal control and partnership-based technology development (including HOGGONE with CISS).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/centreinvasives
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/CentreforInvasiveSpeciesSolutions
• Facebookfacebook.com/CentreInvasiveSpecies
• LinkedInau.linkedin.com/company/centre-invasive-species-solutions

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centre for Invasive Species Solutions