Modern biotechnology involves the use of complex scientific technologies and techniques, which are applied to living organisms or their products to develop new products or services. Modern biotechnology offers considerable potential for Australian agriculture, the economy and the Australian community.

Australian agricultural researchers are making extensive use of biotechnology tools and techniques and are developing new applications, which could eventually be applied in agriculture. Many biotechnology technologies, products and services already have applications in Australian agriculture, either directly or indirectly. For example, DNA technologies, often in combination with genetic markers (marker assisted breeding) are playing a significant role in plant growing and animal husbandry. Cell and tissue culture are being used in animal breeding (artificial insemination), plant breeding and in the development of animal vaccines.