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:

• Wildlife permits
• Native vegetation
• Animal and plant laws

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. 

Have your say

We’re seeking feedback on the first set of draft Biodiversity Regulations 2026 which define the membership, skill sets and procedures for the Act’s statutory bodies:

• Biodiversity Council
• Clearance Assessment Committee
• Aboriginal Biodiversity Committee
• Scientific Committee.

These bodies will have ongoing governance responsibilities as part of their routine functions, and in addition will play a critical role in implementing the Biodiversity Act, by advising on – or approving – key policies, regulations and guidelines.

Consultation is open until 11:59pm, Tuesday 15 September 2026.

Have your say today

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.