Australia’s New Nature Laws: What They Mean and Why They Matter for MANA
An educational summary for our community
Australia is undergoing the most significant reform of its national environmental laws in more than two decades. In late 2025, Parliament passed a set of reforms designed to strengthen protections for ecosystems, habitats, threatened species, and matters of national environmental significance (1). For environmental charities like MANA, these reforms create a clearer and more robust framework for promoting ecological awareness, environmental education, and nature-connected community stewardship.
What Has Changed? A New Legal Landscape for Australia’s Environment
The reforms substantially reshape the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), addressing longstanding concerns about its ability to protect ecosystems in a rapidly changing climate (2).
1. Creation of a National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA)
A new independent regulator — NEPA — will oversee compliance, enforcement, and environmental assessment. This marks a major shift from the previous system, where enforcement capacity was limited and politically dependent (3).
2. Binding National Environmental Standards
Australia will now operate under legally enforceable national standards for environmental protection. These standards set clear thresholds for acceptable environmental impact and will guide decisions across all states and territories (4).
3. Stronger Assessment Tests for Projects
Development proposals must now pass “unacceptable impact” tests and demonstrate no net loss — or ideally net gain — for environmental values. Projects that threaten critical ecosystems or species may be refused outright (5).
4. Limits on Environmental Offsets
Offsetting — previously used to compensate for habitat destruction — is now significantly restricted. The reforms emphasise the mitigation hierarchy: avoid, mitigate, repair, and offset only as a last resort. Offset schemes must also achieve measurable ecological outcomes (6).
5. Narrowing of Exemptions and Removal of Loopholes
Exemptions such as those associated with Regional Forest Agreements and certain land-clearing pathways will no longer bypass federal assessment standards. Forestry operations and high-risk clearing are now subject to the same national tests as other projects (7).
6. Greater Transparency and Accountability
Stronger reporting requirements, public registers, and clearer approval pathways increase transparency and improve public oversight of environmental decision-making (1).
Why These Reforms Matter
The previous national framework failed to prevent widespread habitat loss, species decline, and ecological degradation. Major inquiries and reviews repeatedly concluded that the EPBC Act was “not fit for purpose” in the context of accelerating environmental change (8). The new reforms introduce consistency, accountability, and enforceability — essential components for protecting vulnerable ecosystems.
For forests, bushlands, river systems, and biodiversity hotspots, these laws provide a stronger structural basis for long-term protection, ecosystem recovery, and more responsible land-use decisions (1).
What This Means for MANA
As an environmental charity, MANA’s role is educational, connection-building, and community-based. The new nature laws strengthen the context in which this work occurs.
1. Educating our community about the new laws
MANA can help members understand how national standards, NEPA, and the new assessment criteria support stronger protection of forests, ecosystems, and biodiversity values.
2. Educating members about community-based conservation, restoration, and stewardship opportunities
The reforms open new pathways for restoration grants, collaborative land-care projects, and ecological monitoring initiatives. MANA can guide members in understanding where and how these opportunities arise under the strengthened framework.
3. Deepening ecological awareness through nature-connection programs
Programs like Natural Mindfulness help participants observe ecosystems more closely, understand environmental change, and develop care for local natural places — all foundational for long-term stewardship.
4. Strengthening partnerships
The organisation can collaborate with First Nations groups, conservation organisations, scientists, and local communities to support place-based restoration and ecological care aligned with the stronger legal protections.
5. Monitoring the implementation of the new laws
Without engaging in political advocacy, MANA can provide factual updates to its community about how standards are applied, how NEPA operates, and where ecological values may still be at risk.
Why This Moment Matters for Environmental Charities
Legal reform alone does not guarantee ecological protection. The law creates conditions — but communities bring those conditions to life. Environmental charities play a crucial role by:
cultivating ecological awareness
fostering connection to place
supporting community stewardship
facilitating education and participation
strengthening local ecological resilience
The new nature laws provide a stronger foundation for this work, ensuring that community-based ecological care aligns with national conservation priorities.
Conclusion
Australia’s 2025 nature law reforms represent a turning point in national environmental protection. With new standards, stronger oversight, and clearer protections for ecosystems and species, the legal landscape now better reflects the urgency of ecological care.
For MANA, this reform period creates an opportunity to deepen environmental education, strengthen community engagement, and support ecological awareness across landscapes and communities. These reforms align closely with MANA’s purpose: fostering a society more connected to nature and more committed to caring for the living systems on which all life depends.
References
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Environment Protection Reform Bills Passed by the Australian Parliament. Canberra; 2025.
White & Case. Revolution or Evolution? Key Reforms Proposed to Australia’s National Environmental Laws. 2025.
Environmental Defenders Office. EPBC Act Reforms: First Impressions. 2025.
Pinsent Masons. EPBC Act Reforms: National Environmental Standards. 2025.
Australian Parliament. Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 — Bill Digest. 2025.
Norton Rose Fulbright. Understanding the EPBC Act Reforms: A Practical Guide. 2025.
The Guardian. Long-Awaited Overhaul of Nature Protection Laws Passed. 2025.
