We're increasing our efforts to help land managers understand recent changes to land clearing rules.
Later this month, a team of regulation and compliance officers will visit Queensland to:
- educate land managers on the changes
- answer questions and provide guidance
- ensure the new rules are being followed.
What's changed
Since 1 December 2025, the way land clearing has been regulated under Australia's national environmental law has changed. This is not a blanket ban, but if you are planning to undertake land clearing you need to consider nationally protected parts of the environment.
The changes mean that:
- some exemptions no longer apply
- land managers may need approval before clearing native vegetation.
If you are undertaking land clearing (other than forestry operations), you can no longer claim an exemption to clear land:
- that hasn't been cleared for at least 15 years
- within 50 metres of a watercourse, a wetland or drainage line in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area.
If you plan to clear vegetation in these circumstances, you may need to refer the action for assessment.
Deliberate non-compliance may result in strong penalties.
Background
Clearing native vegetation is a major driver of habitat loss. It puts pressure on threatened species at risk of extinction and increases Australia's carbon emissions.
Protecting vegetation is also one of the most cost-effective strategies for reducing sediment delivery to the Great Barrier Reef.
