The rollout of the Albanese Government's landmark national environmental laws is continuing at pace, with consultation now open on the next stage of the reforms.
Consultation papers released today are seeking feedback on settings to support the establishment of Australia's first National Environmental Protection Agency on 1 July 2026.
Public feedback on the exposure draft of the National Environmental Standard for Environmental Offsets will also open today.
As a result of the Government's environmental reforms, for the first time, proponents are required by law to avoid and mitigate harm before considering offsetting it.
Where there are remaining significant impacts on protected matters, the Environmental Offsets Standard comes into play to provide a framework to ensure a net gain for the environment.
National Environmental Standards are a critical part of the reforms, providing a consistent set of rules for proponents and speeding up approvals, while also delivering better outcomes for the environment.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the Albanese Government was ensuring consultation was at the heart of every step of the reform process.
"We are rolling out our reforms in stages, not just to allow stakeholders to prepare and adjust to the new arrangements, but to ensure we set the system up for success," Minister Watt said.
"We are seeking feedback on the settings which will enable a smooth transition to the new National EPA on the first of July.
"As part of this consultation we are also seeking stakeholder input on key elements of our reforms to provide more certainty for projects and environment protection, such as rulings and protection statements, as well as measures that reduce duplication and further streamline decision-making across different regulatory systems, including bilateral agreements.
"We have already taken significant feedback on board, with more than 320 submissions received during the first round of public consultation on the Environmental Offsets Standard.
"I encourage all interested parties to take the opportunity to have their say, so we get the detail right and put laws in place which deliver the best possible outcomes for industry, the environment and the nation."
Consultation on this new stage of the environmental reforms is open on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water's Have Your Say website until 11.59pm AEST on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
Feedback is sought on the settings to support:
- protection statements
- rulings
- definition of unacceptable impacts
- minor or preparatory works while controlled action is under assessment
- new reconsideration provisions
- lapsing not controlled actions
- other changes (wildlife trade, heritage, Ramsar, listing threatened species).
The exposure draft of the Environmental Offsets Standard is open for feedback 11.59pm AEST on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 and can be provided via the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's online consultation hub.
National Environmental Standards will be made from mid-2026, with the remaining reforms on track to be in place on or before 1 December this year.
