This consultation is closed.
Note: It was proposed that some parts of the reforms would commence early. Feedback indicates a public need for more time to consider and prepare for changes. We will confirm a new start date as soon as possible.
Updates to regulations and rules, explained in section 7 of Paper 1, will commence with the National EPA on 1 July.
Overview
The Australian Government’s Environment Protection Reform Bills were passed by the Australian Parliament on Friday 28 November 2025.
The reforms implement the key recommendations of the 2020 Samuel Review. Some parts of the new laws have already commenced while others continue to be rolled out in stages.
Once fully implemented, these reforms will deliver:
stronger environmental protection and restoration
more efficient and robust project assessments
greater accountability and transparency in decision making.
The next stage of the reforms will set up the future environmental regulation system for success. Two key reforms that will commence under the law on 1 July 2026 are:
the establishment of the National Environmental Protection Agency (National EPA)
the statutory head of Environment Information Australia (EIA).
We consulted on the next tranche of reforms in May 2026. Some of these were updates to regulations and rules needed for setting up the National EPA from 1 July. These updates commenced on 1 July.
We will consult on further regulations when they are available.
Consultation documents
Overview
1. Transition to National EPA
1.1 National EPA powers and penalties
1.2 New Audit arrangements
1.3 National EPA rules for transparency
Paper 1 Transition to National EPA [PDF 1.65MB]
Paper 1 Transition to National EPA [DOCX 1.25MB]
2. More certainty for projects and environment protection
2.1 Protection statements
2.2 Rulings
2.3 Unacceptable impacts
2.4 Minor or preparatory works
2.5 Reconsiderations
2.6 Lapsing not-controlled actions
2.7 Other minor changes
Paper 2 More certainty for projects and environment protection [PDF 894KB]
Paper 2 More certainty for projects and environment protection [DOCX 1.16MB]
3. Reducing duplication
3.1 Bilateral agreements
3.2 Commonwealth accreditation
3.3 NOPSEMA declaration
3.4 Greenhouse gas reporting
Paper 3 Reducing duplication [PDF 844KB]
Paper 3 Reducing duplication [DOCX 1.16MB]
Exposure Draft regulations
Table of topics – by consultation paper section and Instrument item number
EPBC Amendment Regulations - Table of Topics .[PDF 195KB]
EPBC Amendment Regulations - Table of Topics [DOCX 50KB]
Exposure draft of Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026
Attachment A - Exposure Draft of EPBC Regulations [PDF 483KB]
Attachment A - Exposure Draft of EPBC Regulations [DOCX 248KB]
Have your say
Your feedback was invited on the policy settings and draft regulations to support new laws.
Stakeholders were invited to:
read the consultation papers
consult the table of topics to find relevant regulations in the exposure draft
Note the exposure draft regulations relate to a subset of items in the consultation papers. Other items will be implemented through different instruments, such as Rules or proclamations.
consider your feedback
take our survey
to support you to consider the draft regulations, consultation has been extended
We are considering all relevant feedback to inform the development of these supporting laws. We will not be considering feedback on the primary laws (Acts), as these have already been passed by parliament.
Converlens