Scientists from the University of Western Australia (UWA) have found the antivenom used to treat brown snake bites is largely ineffective.
Brown snakes are responsible for the majority of snake bite deaths in Australia.
Professor George Jelinek and his colleagues studied the venom "profiles" of all three brown snake species and the ability of antivenom to neutralise venom activity.
They say the current antivenom is only partially effective and there is nothing to replace it.
Professor Jelinek says studies of the antivenom's ability to neutralise venom activity show it is only effective against some of the proteins that make up the venom.
"The smaller components of the venom weren't neutralised at all, even though some of the larger components were," he said.
Professor Jelinek says it is possible the process of manufacturing the antivenom is the reason for its ineffectiveness.
"At the moment it's produced in horses and it's probably that reason, or that's the reason at least, why it's partially ineffective," he said.
"It's quite possible that it's actually a problem with the horse's immune system not recognising the snake venom properly."
It is hoped the discovery will lead to the production of a new antivenom.