Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The EPBC Act establishes processes for assessing and approving actions that may have a significant impact on the environment, including World Heritage properties, Ramsar wetlands, threatened species, and communities. It also outlines requirements for environmental impact assessments, approvals for specific actions, protecting Commonwealth land as well as managing bilateral agreements with other jurisdictions like state governments. Revised in 2020 to include updates impacting environmental approvals, heritage sites, and nuclear actions, it is administered by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The Act is integral to the conservation of Australia’s biodiversity and management of sustainable development practices.