Ship biofouling is a major yet underregulated pathway for marine pest introduction. Australia is a globally recognised leader in marine biosecurity. Policy and management of ship biofouling is addressed through an interconnected, multi-layered biosecurity system spanning pre-border, border, and post-border components. Despite this comprehensive system, significant challenges remain in translating policy into effective practice. This presentation is based on a study that examines the implementation challenges associated with ship biofouling management across Australia’s biosecurity system to identify opportunities for improvement. A mixed-methods approach of key stakeholders’ surveys, semi-structured interviews, and desktop analysis of relevant policy and regulatory documents. The findings show that, while Australia has a robust and well-developed system, its implementation is constrained by financial, human and physical resources, gaps in organisational capability, work health and safety considerations, the absence of standardised mandatory measures, and increasing pressures from climate and environmental change. These challenges highlight the complexity of operationalising biosecurity across multiple system components. Addressing these barriers is critical not only for Australia but also for informing global efforts to manage ship biofouling. This paper reasons there is an urgent need for strengthened collaboration and capacity-building partnerships between scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders, alongside regular review of international instruments to ensure responsiveness to evolving environmental conditions.