Australia’s Environment Protection Reforms: What You Need To Know

TLDR: Parliament has passed major environmental protection reforms that introduce a federal regulator, new national standards and higher penalties. Australian organisations must prepare now by strengthening environmental compliance training.

What the Environment Protection Reforms Mean in Practice 

The amendments to Australia’s environmental protection laws passed the Senate on 27 November 2025 and will take effect progressively. These changes reshape how organisations manage approvals, comply with environmental standards and respond to incidents.

National Environmental Protection Authority

Australia will now have an independent federal regulator, the National Environmental Protection Authority. NEPA’s CEO can issue binding Environment Protection Orders. These can require businesses to stop work for up to 28 days, so organisations need strong governance and rapid incident reporting processes. 

 National Environmental Standards

The Minister for the Environment and Water will publish National Environmental Standards. Any proposed action must comply with them. These standards will influence approvals and operational decision-making across industries.

Simplified Approval Pathways

The reforms aim to streamline assessment and approval processes. Organisations that understand the new pathways will be better placed to plan development and operational activities.

Unacceptable Impact and Net Gain

Actions that create an unacceptable impact on matters of national environmental significance will not meet approval criteria. Where offsets are required, the measures must deliver a clear net gain for the environment. These terms now have detailed definitions that leaders and project teams must understand.

Higher Penalties

Civil and criminal penalties for breaches of the EPBC Act have increased. Non-compliance now carries greater financial, operational and reputational risk. 

Why Environmental Compliance Training Matters 

GRC Solutions provides industry-specific training that equips teams to: 

• Manage environmental risks and respond to incidents with confidence 
• Comply with laws covering waste, water and air pollution 
• Navigate approvals processes with a clear understanding of the legal concepts 
• Understand the evolving federal and state regulatory landscape 

The Environmental Compliance course includes modules for general staff, high-risk roles and managers. It will be updated to align with the amended EPBC Act, new regulations and future standards. 

Start Preparing Today 

Australia’s environmental expectations are rising quickly. Organisations that invest in capability now will be better placed to maintain compliance, reduce risks and demonstrate responsible environmental practice. 

Explore the Environmental Compliance course to help your teams stay ahead.