The Australian Government has made the Improved Forest Management in Multiple-use Public Native Forests (INFM) method. The method allows projects to earn carbon credits under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme.
The INFM method allows state governments to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by ceasing planned harvesting in defined areas of multiple-use public native forests that would otherwise be used for commercial forestry.
The benefits of the INFM method include:
- increasing carbon stored in native forests by allowing them to grow beyond harvesting age
- avoiding emissions from timber harvesting and associated activities such as post-harvest burning
- protecting habitat and enhancing biodiversity outcomes
Background
The government agreed to prioritise development of the INFM method in 2024, based on advice from the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC). The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW) led method development.
The ERAC commenced its review of the method in October 2025 and conducted public consultation on the method in January 2026.
Following consultation, the ERAC provided advice to the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy (Assistant Minister) on making the method.
The Australian Government made the INFM method determination on 25 June 2026.
The facts about the INFM method
- An independent committee (ERAC) advised the Assistant Minister on making the INFM method, following public consultation and technical assessment against the legislated Offsets Integrity Standards.
- Public consultation provided stakeholders, including the community, forest industry, academics and environmental groups, with the opportunity to provide feedback. The consultation included a webinar where stakeholders could ask questions about the method and the ERAC's assessment process.
- Like all ACCU methods, the use of this method is voluntary and it will and it will be up to state governments to decide whether they use this method.
- The INFM method doesn't ban forestry - INFM projects can create an alternative economic option and can operate alongside a sustainable forestry industry.
- The method sets out a number of features to ensure estimates of the amount of carbon stored by a project are conservative, including provisions to account for carbon leakage (where emissions shift by increasing harvesting elsewhere).
