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Department of Climate Change, Energy, Enviroment and Water

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  1. Home
  2. Environment
  3. Biodiversity
  4. Threatened species & ecological communities

Sidebar first - EN - Biodiversity

  • Biodiversity
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Threatened species & ecological communities

Australia is home to between 600,000 and 700,000 species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. About 84 per cent of plants, 83 per cent of mammals, and 45 per cent of birds are only found in Australia.

Changes to the landscape and native habitat as a result of human activity have put many of these unique species at risk. Over the last two hundred years many species of plants and animals have become extinct. For the other species of plants and animals whose survival is threatened, a range of management and conservation measures are in place.

Ecological communities are unique and naturally occurring groups of plants and animals. Their presence can be determined by factors such as soil type, position in the landscape, climate and water availability.

The Australian Government is working in partnership with state, territory and local governments, non-government organisations, tertiary institutions and community groups to ensure the protection of our native species.

Protecting threatened species and ecological communities

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government's principal piece of environment legislation.

The EPBC Act protects Australia's native species and ecological communities by providing for:

  • identification and listing of species and ecological communities as threatened
  • development of conservation advice and recovery plans for listed species and ecological communities
  • development of a register of critical habitat
  • recognition of key threatening processes
  • where appropriate, reducing the impacts of these processes through threat abatement plans and non-statutory threat abatement advices

Nominations

Any person may nominate a native species, ecological community or threatening process for listing under the EPBC Act. For more information on threatened species, ecological communities and key threatening processes, or making a nomination read more about:

  • nomination and listing process
  • threatened species
  • threatened ecological communities
  • key threatening processes

See also

  • Conservation agreements
  • Species of National Environmental Significance - maps and GIS data

News and media

Psophodes leucogaster leucogaster (mallee whipbird)

Invitation to comment on one bird species listing assessment

  • Have your say
  • Threatened
27 February 2023
Chalinolobus dwyeri (large-eared pied bat)

Invitation to comment on one fire-affected mammal species listing assessment

  • News
  • Threatened
16 January 2023
Photo of Acacia Blayana

Invitation to comment on the fire-affected Acacia blayana (Blay’s wattle) listing assessment

  • News
  • Threatened
21 November 2022
All news and media

Public notices

Open for public comment under the EPBC Act:

  • Comment on nominations
  • Permits
  • Proposed changes to conservation planning decisions
  • Recovery plans
  • Referrals and assessments
  • Threat abatement plans
  • Wildlife trade applications

Subscribe

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  • Species information and EPBC Act policy

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  • EPBC Act
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EPBC Act Lists

  • Critical habitat
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  • Recovery plans
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  • Threatened ecological communities
  • Threatened fauna
  • Threatened flora
  • Listings since commencement of the EPBC Act
  • Species and Ecological Communities removed from list
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  • Species and Ecological Communities assessed as ineligible
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Last updated: 04 August 2022

© Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.