MODULE 8 RESOURCES
Core document
Compliance in conservation
Compliance in conservation is the key resource for this module, designed to help landholders understand the legal and regulatory frameworks that underpin threatened species recovery and ecosystem restoration in Australia. It outlines the key environmental protections at federal, state, and local levels and explores how these frameworks shape common on-ground activities such as weed control, revegetation, and habitat management. This document supports responsible, legally compliant land management and helps you know when and how to seek advice or support.
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This is Australia’s central piece of environmental legislation. It protects nationally listed threatened species, ecological communities, and critical habitats. If your work or any actions you undertake could be deemed to be threatening to these, approval may be required under the EPBC Act, even if state permits are already in place.
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This Act provides a national framework for managing biosecurity risks, including invasive species that threaten biodiversity, agriculture, and human health. It outlines obligations for controlling pests and diseases, some of which landholders may be legally required to manage on their properties.
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This Act protects significant Aboriginal areas and objects at a national level. While day-to-day cultural heritage matters are usually managed under state or territory laws, this Act may come into play for sites of national importance or when other avenues have been exhausted.
Federal frameworks
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The Nature Conservation Act 2014 (ACT) sets out how native species and ecosystems are protected and managed within the Australian Capital Territory. It includes provisions for conserving threatened species, managing reserves, and regulating activities that affect the natural environment to support biodiversity.
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The Pest Plants and Animals Act 2005 (ACT) describes how invasive species are controlled within the Australian Capital Territory. It covers the declaration of pest species, regulation of their spread, and the implementation of control measures to protect native biodiversity and agricultural land.
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The Heritage Act 2004 (ACT) outlines the processes for identifying, protecting, and managing heritage places and objects within the Australian Capital Territory. It includes provisions for registering heritage sites and regulating activities that may impact their cultural, historical, or natural values to ensure their preservation.
Australian Capital Territory acts
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The Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) outlines how native species and ecosystems are protected and managed across New South Wales. It includes provisions for conserving threatened species and ecological communities, regulating activities that affect biodiversity, and establishing agreements and offset programs to support environmental outcomes.
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The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW) outlines the establishment, preservation, and management of national parks, historic sites, and certain other areas within New South Wales. It includes provisions for the protection of native fauna, flora, and Aboriginal objects, as well as the regulation of activities that may impact these natural and cultural resources.
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The Local Land Services Act 2013 (NSW) establishes Local Land Services (LLS) to deliver integrated services across agriculture, biosecurity, natural resource management, and emergency management in New South Wales. It outlines the functions and responsibilities of LLS, including the development of local strategic plans, the imposition of rates and levies, and the management of landholder services to support sustainable land use and environmental stewardship.
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The Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) provides a legal framework for recognising Aboriginal land ownership and returning certain lands to Aboriginal communities. It establishes processes for Aboriginal land claims, the creation of land councils, and the management of returned lands to support the social, cultural, and economic development of Aboriginal peoples.
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The Heritage Act 1977 (NSW) outlines the processes for identifying, protecting, and managing heritage places and objects within New South Wales. It includes provisions for registering heritage sites and regulating activities that may impact their cultural, historical, or natural values to ensure their preservation.
New South Wales acts
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The Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 (NT) outlines the establishment, protection, and management of parks, reserves, and wildlife within the Northern Territory. It includes provisions for creating and managing protected areas, conserving native species and habitats, and regulating activities that may impact biodiversity.
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The Weeds Management Act 2001 (NT) provides a legal framework for managing and controlling the spread of weeds within the Northern Territory. It outlines the classification of weeds into categories, specifies landholder responsibilities for their management, and establishes procedures for declaring and controlling invasive plant species to protect the Territory's environment and economy.
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The Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 provides a framework for the protection and management of Aboriginal sacred sites in the Northern Territory. It establishes the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA), which maintains a Register of Sacred Sites and issues Authority Certificates to regulate activities near these sites. The Act prohibits unauthorized entry, work, or desecration of sacred sites, ensuring their preservation for cultural and spiritual purposes.
Northern Territory acts
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The Nature Conservation Act 1992 (QLD) sets out how Queensland’s natural environment, wildlife, and habitats are protected and managed. It includes provisions for declaring protected areas, regulating the use of native species, and promoting sustainable conservation practices.
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The Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 (QLD) provides a framework for managing pest animals and plants, as well as the stock route network, across Queensland. It outlines responsibilities for landholders and authorities in controlling invasive species and maintaining stock routes to protect agriculture, biodiversity, and public land use.
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The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (QLD) establishes a framework for protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage in Queensland. It outlines processes for identifying, managing, and conserving cultural heritage sites and objects, ensuring that Aboriginal communities are involved in decisions affecting their cultural heritage.
Queensland acts
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The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (SA) governs the establishment and management of protected areas such as national parks, conservation parks, and sanctuaries in South Australia. It includes provisions for conserving native wildlife and plants, regulating activities within these areas, and promoting public enjoyment and education about the state's natural heritage.
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The Landscape South Australia Act 2019 sets out how South Australia’s natural resources including land, water, pest plants and animals, and biodiversity are managed sustainably and collaboratively. It establishes regional landscape boards that work with communities, Aboriginal peoples, and landholders to develop regional plans, deliver projects, and monitor environmental outcomes.
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The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (SA) establishes legal protections for Aboriginal sites, objects, and remains within South Australia. It requires individuals to obtain authorisation from the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs before disturbing or interfering with Aboriginal heritage, and it mandates the reporting of discoveries of such heritage.
South Australia acts
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The Nature Conservation Act 2002 (TAS) provides a framework for the conservation and protection of Tasmania's fauna, flora, and geological diversity. It facilitates the declaration of national parks and other reserved lands, aiming to preserve the state's natural heritage for current and future generations.
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The Weed Management Act 1999 (TAS) establishes a framework for controlling and eradicating declared weeds in Tasmania. It empowers authorities to declare specific plants as weeds, implement management plans, and enforce measures to prevent their spread, aiming to protect the state's biodiversity, agriculture, and natural ecosystems.
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The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975 (Tas) establishes legal protections for Aboriginal heritage in Tasmania, encompassing objects, sites, and places of significance to Aboriginal people. It requires individuals to obtain authorisation from the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs before disturbing or interfering with Aboriginal heritage, and it mandates the reporting of discoveries of such heritage.
Tasmania acts
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The Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (VIC) establishes a framework for the integrated management and protection of catchments in Victoria. It encourages community participation in the management of land and water resources and sets up a system of controls on noxious weeds and pest animals.
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The Wildlife Act 1975 (VIC) establishes the legal framework for the protection and conservation of wildlife in Victoria. It prohibits the hunting, taking, or destruction of protected wildlife without appropriate authorisation and outlines penalties for offences against the Act.
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The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (VIC) is Victoria's primary legislation for conserving native flora and fauna. It enables the listing of threatened species, communities, and threatening processes, and provides mechanisms for their protection and recovery.
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The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (VIC) provides a legal framework for the protection and management of Aboriginal cultural heritage in Victoria. It establishes Registered Aboriginal Parties as primary guardians of heritage and outlines processes for assessing and approving activities that may impact Aboriginal places and objects.
Victoria acts
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The Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (WA) provides the legal framework for protecting and managing Western Australia’s biodiversity. It includes provisions for conserving threatened species and ecological communities, regulating activities that may impact biodiversity, and establishing recovery plans and conservation agreements.
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The Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA) establishes a framework for managing biosecurity risks and agricultural practices in Western Australia. It empowers authorities to prevent, control, and manage pests, diseases, and contaminants that may affect agriculture, the environment, and public health.
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The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) protects Aboriginal cultural heritage by regulating activities that may impact heritage sites and objects. It establishes processes for identifying, registering, and preserving significant Aboriginal places across Western Australia.
The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 was introduced as a new framework but was repealed on 8 August 2023. After the repeal, the older Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 was reinstated as the primary law governing Aboriginal heritage in Western Australia.