Tenders are out for the project to upgrade laboratories at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI), Camden and will close on December 10.

Cost estimates of the designs are within the $56 million the NSW Government has committed to upgrade biosecurity facilities.

Industry and Investment NSW director of biosecurity enhancement, Barry Kay, congratulated the research staff for their expertise and commitment to refining the designs to fit their needs.

"You will end up with an outstanding facility and can look forward with excitement to where it will take science on this site in the future," he told a meeting of 130 staff at the Institute last week.

The biosecurity upgrade includes the building of new high containment laboratories for animal and plant diseases, the refurbishment of existing laboratories and an upgrade of support and engineering services.

Mr Kay said all companies involved in the tender process were experienced at building laboratories and biosecurity facilities.

After a separate tender awarded earlier in October, preliminary earth work is now due to start, with the digging of a 120 metre long hole for foundations.

Eventually there will be 200 construction workers on site in addition to EMAI staff.

Construction of the main building is scheduled to begin by late April next year.

Refurbishment of existing laboratories will start in 2011.

Mr Kay says the project is on track to be completed by June 2013.

The upgrade will help to ensure the State has ongoing research, diagnostic and emergency response capability.

EMAI is staffed by more than 150 scientists and technical staff and is the State's front line laboratory defence for detection and response to exotic diseases in plants and animals.