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Under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

EPBC Act — Overview and Application

Legislation date 1 Jul 2026
High severity
FEDERAL · Environment Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 > Overview
The obligation
The EPBC Act is Australia's principal federal environmental law, requiring referral and approval for actions with significant impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES).
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) provides the framework for protecting Australia's environment and biodiversity. It requires any person, company, or government body proposing an action that may have a significant impact on defined MNES — including threatened species, world heritage properties, Ramsar wetlands, and Commonwealth marine areas — to refer the proposal to the Commonwealth Minister. Approval must be obtained before the action proceeds. …
What
The EPBC Act is Australia's principal federal environmental law, requiring referral and approval for actions with significant impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES).
Source
legislation.gov.au

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What's happened with this Topic

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26 Aug 2026 · Amended
1 Jul 2026 · Amended
2 updates tracked. This law has changed and been enforced.

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Labels
EPBC MNES referral approval federal
Official sources
  • T
    legislation.gov.au
    Tertiary tier · we link to the law, we never republish it
  • T
    dcceew.gov.au
    Tertiary tier · we link to the law, we never republish it
Frequently asked questions

Which WHS law does this come from?

EPBC Act — Overview and Application 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 > Overview.

What does this WHS obligation require?

EPBC Act — Overview and Application is a WHS obligation under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (FEDERAL). In short, The EPBC Act is Australia's principal federal environmental law, requiring referral and approval for actions with significant impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES).

What changed recently?

EPBC Act — Overview and Application was last updated on 3 September 2026.

About this Topic

ParentEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
JurisdictionFEDERAL
CountryAustralia
Updates tracked2
Monitoring detail
First seenAug 2026
Last change3 Sep 2026