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Department of Climate Change, Energy, Enviroment and Water

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  1. Home
  2. Environment
  3. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
  4. Our role in protecting the environment under the EPBC Act
  5. Independent reviews of the EPBC Act

Sidebar first - EN - EPBC

  • Our role in protecting the environment
    • What is protected?
    • EPBC Act lists
    • Business improvements
    • Our performance
      • Quarterly performance report
        • Response to 2020 ANAO Audit Report
    • Advisory committees
      • Indigenous Advisory Committee
    • Independent reviews
      • Hawke Review 2008

Independent reviews of the EPBC Act

We must ensure that independent reviews of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) are undertaken at least every 10 years. This helps us to check how effective the Act is at protecting our environment and heritage. Learn why we arrange these reviews, and read about previous independent reviews.

Why we review the EPBC Act

The EPBC Act requires an independent review at least every 10 years.

This enables a regular check of:

  • how the EPBC Act is operating
  • how effectively it's meeting objectives to protect our environment and heritage.

We can also hold more targeted reviews when required.

Previous reviews

Second independent review (the ‘Samuel Review’)

The second independent review of the EPBC Act began on 29 October 2019.

Professor Graeme Samuel AC led this review. The Environment minister received the report on 30 October 2020, and it's now publicly available.

Read the Samuel Review final report.

A staged approach to reforming the EPBC Act is underway, following the Samuel Review.

Targeted agriculture sector review (the 'Craik Review')

An independent review of how the EPBC Act works with the agriculture sector began in March 2018.

Dr Wendy Craik led this review, and the Australian Government published her report on 27 June 2019.

The review was set up to:

  • examine how the EPBC Act interacts with the agriculture and food production sector
  • find practical ways to support this sector while maintaining environmental standards.

The recommendations from the Craik Review also informed the Samuel Review.

Read the Craik Review final report.

First independent review (the ‘Hawke Review’)

The first independent review of the EPBC Act began on 31 October 2008.

Dr Allan Hawke led this review. The Australian Government released the review to the public on 21 December 2009.

Read the:

  • Hawke Review final report
  • Australian Government response to the review.

Other targeted reviews

For information on other targeted reviews, see:

  • governance and accountability
  • our performance.

Get in touch

For more information about independent EPBC Act reviews, please contact:

  • online enquiry form
  • phone 1800 920 528 phone service operates 9am to 5pm (AEST) Monday to Friday, except public holidays.
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Last updated: 31 January 2023

© 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.