What Dieback Working Group does

Dieback Working Group Inc. (DWG) is a not-for-profit, registered charity incorporated under Australian law and headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, founded in 1996 by Dr Ian Colquhoun. The organization addresses Phytophthora Dieback — a devastating plant disease caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi that is considered the most significant environmental threat to ecosystem health and biodiversity in southern Western Australia. DWG operates a community-led go-to-market model delivering awareness, training, diagnosis, and treatment services to government agencies, the basic raw materials/mining/construction industry, landholders, research organizations, schools, and home gardeners across Western Australia and increasingly nationally.

DWG's core offerings include: Green Card Training (Dieback Biosecurity Awareness Training recognized by WA government authorities); phosphite-based plant treatment services (tree injection and foliar spraying) providing 3-5 years of protection for injected trees; professional Dieback Interpretation and detection services via registered consultants; the Discovering Dieback Education Program for schools; the annual DIG Conference; a downloadable publications library (the Managing Phytophthora Dieback in Bushland handbook has been downloaded over 11,700 times); and an Expert Directory of registered consultants. The most technically distinctive initiative is the metham-sodium soil-fumigation methodology — funded by a AUD $2.4 million Australian Government Saving Native Species Threat Innovation grant secured in late 2024 — which produces dieback-free basic raw materials for civil construction, reducing the need to clear native vegetation.

DWG's revenue derives primarily from competitive government grants (including the AUD $2.4M federal grant), supplemented by transactional training fees (AUD $170 standard Green Card Training; AUD $277.20 bundled with DIG Conference), conference ticket revenue (AUD $35-$360 tiers), membership fees, and donations. The organization is governed by a member-elected Management Committee and operates with 11-50 employees. Its strategic posture is anchored by 30 years of credibility, formal government recognition of its training program, and a dense cross-sector stakeholder network that competes equivalently to a for-profit ecosystem lock-in.

Name

Dieback Working Group

Legal name

Dieback Working Group Inc.

Website

https://dwg.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dieback Working Group Inc. is a Perth-based, 30-year-old not-for-profit delivering Phytophthora Dieback awareness, biosecurity training, diagnosis, and treatment services to government agencies, industry, landholders, researchers, and schools across Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Perth

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary funding source from government grants including Australian Government Saving Native Species Program ($2.4 million innovation grant) and Western Australian Government State NRM Program funding.
2. Training Course Fees: Green Card Training courses offered at $170 per participant for standard sessions and $277.20 for conference bundled training. Additional modules available at extra cost.
3. Conference Revenue: DIG Conference tickets sold at various price points ranging from $35 (student online) to $360 (standard conference day). Early bird discounts available.
4. Membership and Donations: Organization is a registered charity accepting membership fees and donations. Historically dependent on successful grant applications for activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Dieback Working Group is a not-for-profit organisation providing Phytophthora Dieback management services including Green Card biosecurity awareness training, disease interpretation and mapping, phosphite-based treatment protocols, and the Arrive Clean Leave Clean hygiene framework. The organisation delivers school education programs, hosts an annual DIG Conference, distributes publications, and operates an expert directory of registered Dieback Interpreters.

Product overview

Dieback Working Group is a not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive suite of products and services for Phytophthora Dieback management. Core offerings include Green Card Training (recognized biosecurity awareness training), Phytophthora Dieback Treatment Services using phosphite, professional Dieback Interpretation and Detection Services, the Discovering Dieback Education Program for schools, and an annual DIG Conference. Supporting resources include downloadable Publications and Guidelines, an Expert Directory of registered consultants, and an innovative Metham Sodium Treated Gravel research project for dieback-free basic raw materials. The organization operates primarily in Western Australia with national outreach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DWG Green Card Training: Dieback Biosecurity Awareness Training recognised by WA government authorities
• DIG Conference
• Discovering Dieback Education Program

Products and services

• Green Card Training (Dieback Biosecurity Awareness Training) Dieback Biosecurity Awareness Training program recognised by WA government authorities that provides skills and knowledge to manage the risk of spreading Phytophthora Dieback on-ground. Includes theory sessions, practical vehicle inspection and cleaning training, and assessment. Open sessions and tailored industry sessions available.
• Phytophthora Dieback Treatment Services Phosphite-based treatment services for protecting plants against Phytophthora Dieback, including tree injection and foliar spraying. Treatment provides 3-5 years protection for injected trees and 1-2 years for sprayed plants, applied via specific dilution ratios and timing recommendations.
• Dieback Interpretation and Detection Services Professional consulting services by registered Dieback Interpreters to diagnose Phytophthora Dieback presence on land, map spatial distribution, and develop Disease Management Plans for landholders, government, and industry clients.
• Discovering Dieback Education Program School education program developed collaboratively with Armadale Primary School to educate students about Phytophthora Dieback. Includes hands-on treatment activities to protect bushland from the disease.
• Publications and Guidelines Comprehensive library of downloadable publications including the Managing Phytophthora Dieback in Bushland handbook (downloaded over 11,700 times), industry-specific guidelines for basic raw materials, and educational materials on resistant and susceptible plant species.
• DIG Conference (Dieback Information Group Conference) Annual national conference bringing together practitioners, researchers, land managers, and community partners to exchange ideas and advance understanding of Phytophthora Dieback and environmental biosecurity challenges. Includes Green Card Training days, speaker presentations, and panel discussions.
• Expert Directory Directory of registered Dieback Interpreters and consultants specialising in Phytophthora Dieback assessment, mapping, and management planning, available for hire to conduct disease diagnosis and mapping.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,275 students educated about dieback across 25+ schools spanning from Badgingarra to Bremer Bay
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Murdoch University Harry Butler InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Major sponsor of DIG Conference 2026 and ongoing research partner. Professor Treena Burgess serves as Executive Director and has long association with DWG advancing Phytophthora research.
• Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) WAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024DBCA is a major sponsor of DWG activities and project partner for the $2.4M metham sodium treated gravel innovation project. DBCA registers Dieback Interpreters to maintain quality standards.
• Main Roads Western AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Major sponsor of DWG and project partner for dieback-free basic raw materials initiative. Provides expertise on road construction and civil works requirements.
• AlcoamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Trade exhibit sponsor for DIG Conference 2026 and partner in dieback research. Alcoa's flora research scientist Tom Mansfield serves as panel discussion host.
• Ecopath SolutionsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Trade exhibit sponsor for DIG Conference 2026 and presenter on PhytoGuard detection technology.
• Perth NRMminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Sponsor of DIG Conference and partner in environmental programs including ReWild Perth Program.
• Binalup Aboriginal CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Project partner for metham sodium treated gravel project bringing Traditional Owner perspectives to dieback management.
• Heidelberg MaterialscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Project partner for metham sodium treated gravel project contributing industry expertise in basic raw materials.
• Culford Agri IndustryminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Contractor engaged for metham sodium treated gravel trials at quarry trial site.
• ArborCarbonminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Contractor engaged for tree assessment and arborist services in project activities.
• NRM JobsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Sponsor of DIG Conference supporting environmental sector employment and awareness.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Perth NRM (Natural Resource Management): WA-based NRM organisation partnering with DWG on environmental programs. Closely comparable in mission scope, regional remit, and membership/funding model for natural resource management in Western Australia.
• South Coast NRM: Regional NRM body in southern Western Australia that previously co-hosted the DIG Conference with DWG. Comparable community-led natural resource management mandate and stakeholder base in the same WA geography.
• Trees For Life (SA): South Australian nonprofit focused on revegetation, bushcare education and community engagement. Comparable as a charity delivering environmental education, community plantings and bushland protection programs reliant on grants and donations.
• Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC): Australia-wide nonprofit network dedicated to conserving native plant communities. Comparable as a membership-based nonprofit delivering plant conservation best-practice guidelines, training resources and conferences.
• Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS): Australian collaborative hub for invasive species research and management. Directly comparable to DWG as a national nonprofit delivering environmental biosecurity awareness, training and management programs for invasive threats, including plant pathogens affecting natural ecosystems.

Emerging players

• Murdoch University Harry Butler Institute: Research partner and major DIG Conference sponsor advancing Phytophthora science. Comparable in Phytophthora research focus but operates as a university research institute rather than an applied community/training nonprofit.
• Ecopath Solutions: PhytoGuard detection technology presenter and DIG Conference sponsor. Comparable as an emerging adjacent player in Phytophthora detection/diagnostics that intersects with DWG's interpretation services.

Broad incumbents

• Bush Heritage Australia: Large national conservation nonprofit protecting biodiversity across Australia. Comparable in mission and nonprofit/charity funding model, but operates at much larger scale across broader conservation priorities.
• Australian Conservation Foundation: Australia's largest national environmental advocacy nonprofit. Comparable as a nonprofit/charity focused on biodiversity protection, but operates via advocacy at policy level rather than frontline biosecurity training.
• Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) WA: WA government department responsible for biodiversity conservation that registers Dieback Interpreters and co-funds DWG. Comparable as a steward of bushland health and Phytophthora management, though much broader in scope and a government body rather than nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/dwg_australia
• Facebookfacebook.com/DiebackWorkingGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dieback-working-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/dwg_australia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dieback Working Group