NSW has put in place a one-month ban on the movement of hay from fire ant-affected areas in southeast Queensland in the fallout from tropical cyclone Alfred.
But experts say the measures are a band-aid fix, calling for more action to eradicate the invasive species from the country.
"Otherwise, we're going to see the steady spread of fire ants all across the continent with progressive restrictions across different states," the Invasive Species Council's fire ant expert Reece Pianta said on Friday.
Known for their painful stings, fire ants attack livestock, people and pests.
They are considered one of the worst invasive species to reach Australia, potentially causing more economic damage than cane toads, rabbits and feral cats combined.
Fire ants have recently been spotted travelling along floodwaters in southeast Queensland, sparking fears the threat will spread.
Mr Pianta said it was unlikely the ants would be able to travel to NSW by rafting on debris, but they could hitch a ride in materials like hay and soil.
The NSW government has suspended permits for hay movements from infested areas, building on existing rules that restrict the transfer of other material like soil and sand.
NSW Farmers biosecurity committee chair Tony Hegarty said the temporary ban was welcome news to farmers on the front line.
"A serious biosecurity regime is what we need the NSW government to deliver and we thank them for hearing us in this most critical hour," he said.
But Mr Pianta said fire ant responses needed more investment from the federal government with funding only guaranteed until 2027.
Increased resources would allow eradication programs to visit more roads, properties and river banks in infested areas to destroy nests.
Fire ants are projected to slash agricultural output in Australia by 40 per cent if left unchecked.
Authorities have been battling to stamp out the highly aggressive, exotic insects for more than two decades.
NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said the state government needed to ensure surveillance and compliance efforts were being taken seriously.
"The reality of fire ants establishing in NSW is billions of dollars worth of lost agricultural production every year," he said.
"And that is not a risk the government should be willing to take."
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