Biodiversity Act
South Australia’s first Biodiversity Act better protects native plants, animals and ecosystems — while also helping to address the impacts of climate change.
Biodiversity underpins our economy and way of life from the agriculture, fisheries and tourism industries that rely on healthy ecosystems, to the clean air, water and natural spaces South Australians value every day. The Biodiversity Act 2025 provides a modern legislative framework to protect and restore biodiversity, securing the state's environmental, economic and social prosperity for future generations.
This page will help you:
- Learn about the new Biodiversity Act
- Keep up to date with the latest developments
- Discover how to have your say
About the Biodiversity Act
In June 2025, South Australia’s first Biodiversity Act 2025 passed through the Parliament.
This historic legislation consolidates and strengthens biodiversity protections across the state, ensuring better outcomes for native species, ecosystems and future generations.
Key highlights of the Act include:
- stronger native vegetation laws
- tougher penalties for harming wildlife and illegal clearance of native habitat
- recognition of Aboriginal South Australians and the role that they play in caring for Country
- new protections for critical habitats and threatened ecological communities
- a general duty for all South Australians to protect biodiversity
- a nationally consistent process to recognise and list threatened species
- establishment of four new groups to help administer the Act: the Biodiversity Council, the Clearance Assessment Committee, the Aboriginal Biodiversity Committee, and the Scientific Committee.
Implementing the Biodiversity Act
While the new legislation has been finalised, it won’t come into effect straight away. Instead, implementation will occur in stages, as outlined in the Overview and Roadmap.
In the meantime, the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and the Native Vegetation Act 1991 will continue to apply as they do today.
Current obligations, including approvals for clearing native vegetation and wildlife permits, remain the same during this transition period.
You can find out more about your current legal obligations by visiting:
To implement the Act, we’re now working to develop supporting legislation – such as regulations, policies and guidelines – which you will have the opportunity to share feedback on.
Biodiversity Regulations 2026 (statutory bodies)
Public consultation on the first set of draft Biodiversity Regulations 2026 has now closed.
Feedback received during consultation will now be reviewed and considered.
The regulations will then progress through the approval process before being brought into operation. Outcomes of the consultation and the final regulations will be published here and on YourSAy.
Stay informed
To keep up-to-date and get involved:
- Sign-up to receive updates on the implementation the Biodiversity Act, including opportunities to share your feedback
- Contact us at biodiversityact@sa.gov.au or (08) 8429 9605.
