The obligation
A person must not take an action likely to significantly affect a matter of national environmental significance, such as a Commonwealth marine area, without approval.
Approval is required for actions with a significant impact on declared World Heritage properties, National Heritage places, declared Ramsar wetlands, listed threatened species and communities, and listed migratory species. It is also required for nuclear actions, actions involving the marine environment or the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, developments significantly affecting water resources, and prescribed actions.
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- What
- A person must not take an action likely to significantly affect a matter of national environmental significance, such as a Commonwealth marine area, without approval.
- Source
- legislation.gov.au
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Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
Approval needed for actions significantly affecting matters of national environmental significance is a WHS requirement set out in Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (FEDERAL). The relevant provision is Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 > Part 3 > Requirements for environmental approvals § Part 3, Division 1.
What does this WHS obligation require?
Approval needed for actions significantly affecting matters of national environmental significance is a WHS obligation under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (FEDERAL). In short, A person must not take an action likely to significantly affect a matter of national environmental significance, such as a Commonwealth marine area, without approval.
What changed recently?
Approval needed for actions significantly affecting matters of national environmental significance was last updated on 14 October 2026.