The NSW Government has announced the opening of Australia's first purpose-built biocontainment centre located at Sydney's Westmead Health Precinct.

The NSW Biocontainment Centre is designed to treat and isolate patients with rare highly infectious diseases known as high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs).

Equipped with six specialised quarantine class and negative pressure beds, the facility enhances NSW's ability to respond effectively to future pandemics and provide care to adult and paediatric patients.

The centre serves as the state-wide referral and outreach facility for suspected or confirmed HCID cases and acts as an education and training hub for managing these diseases.

It is staffed by specialist medical, nursing, pharmacy, laboratory, and allied health personnel trained in infection prevention and control practices.

The facility features advanced infrastructure, including a dedicated critical lift, steam steriliser autoclaves for waste processing, and a sewage treatment plant.

Western Sydney Local Health District acting chief executive Dr Rebecca Nogajski said: “This centre is self-contained, able to provide high-level emergency care, as well as access to specialist therapies such as phage therapy.

“The centre stocks rarely used antibiotics, antivirals, antitoxins, vaccines, and other key therapeutics.

“It also offers expert infectious diseases advice, including referral to relevant diagnostic testing and locations of testing, links with NSW Health Pathology and management able to be utilised as a 24/7 service in the early phases of the response.”