Early Environment Law Reforms Begin Under Tranche 1

Australia's first tranche of national environment law reforms has commenced. This marks an important step in advancing the reform program, with work on subsequent stages continuing.

On 28 November 2025, the Australian Parliament passed the Environment Protection Reform Bills. They demonstrate the government's commitment to delivering benefits to businesses, communities and the environment as quickly as possible.

Progress

The reforms are being rolled out in stages.

1. 1 December 2025 - Royal Assent
   • Early changes took effect once the laws passed. These included:
     • transitional arrangements that set out when the new laws will take effect
     • power for the Minister to create new National Environmental Standards
     • tightened rules for land clearing activities.
2. 20 February 2026 - tranche 1 quick wins
   • The first tranche of reforms focus on:
     • clearer more flexible processes
     • better information sharing
     • more transparent expert advice for decision-makers.
3. 1 July 2026 - major reforms will begin
   • The National Environmental Protection Agency will open as an independent regulator. It will improve compliance and strengthen enforcement of Australia's new environmental laws.
   • The Head of Environment Information Australia can be appointed, making it easier to access environmental data.
4. By 1 December 2026 - a modern environment regulation system operational
   • All remaining reforms will roll out when they are ready in stages, and no later than 1 December 2026 - just 12 months after the new laws passed.

What's changing now

Streamlined assessment pathway changes-unused approvals can now be surrendered with ministerial consent, with more streamlining to come.

• Better strategic assessments-strategic assessments are clearer, more flexible and better aligned with national standards, with further legal updates coming.
• Clearer national interest exemption provisions-national interest exemptions are now clearer to enable faster emergency decisions.
• Reconsideration process changes-certain projects will be allowed to continue operating during an assessment if the reconsideration decision determines the action is a controlled action. The changes also allow the Environment Minister to reconsider the specific ways that not-controlled actions are undertaken.
• Stronger expert advice-committees now have clearer roles, greater transparency and stronger inclusion of First Nations knowledge.
• Improved information sharing-rules are clearer, reducing unnecessary duplication and ensuring information is shared and used appropriately.
• Wildlife trade updates-wildlife trade approvals last longer and application rules are simpler and clearer.
• Administrative improvements-administrative updates include a Great Barrier Reef catchment map and clearer authority to fund environmental programs, including emergencies.

What proponents need to do next

Proponents don't need to make big changes yet, but there are a few simple steps to get ready:

1. Check your current approvals
   • Identify any approvals that are old, unused, or no longer required.
   • If you think you may want to give up an approval, you can consider the new rules around surrendering approvals now.
2. Know your rights and responsibilities under the new laws
   • Stay up to date with the changes so you understand how they may affect your projects.
3. Keep an eye on new National Environmental Standards
   • The government is developing new Standards that will guide how future decisions are made.
   • These will be released for public consultation.