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We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the sovereign Traditional Owners of Australia and thank them for their stewardship of this Country, its lands, waters and skies. We respectfully acknowledge their culture and customary practices, and pay respect to their Ancestors, Elders and future leaders.

For the first time, the State of the Environment report includes a strong Indigenous narrative across all 12 thematic chapters, a narrative crafted through recognising the leadership, collaboration and authorship of Indigenous Australians who continue their connection as Traditional Owners to their lands, waters and skies.

Click to view the State of the Environment report

 

On 28 March 2025 the government assumed a Caretaker role. Information on websites maintained by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will be published in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions until after the conclusion of the caretaker period.

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Table 7 Changes in emissions standards for light vehicles ( ≤1,305 kg reference mass, category N1 Class I)

Standard

Introduced in Europe

Mandated in Australia for all new light vehicles

Emission limits (g/km) for petrol (diesel) engines

VOCs

NOx

Particulate matter

Euro 5

2011

1 November 2016

0.10 (0.23)

0.06 (0.18)

0.0045 (0.0045)

Euro 6 and 6d

2021

To be determined

0.10 (0.17)

0.06 (0.08)

0.0045 (0.0045)

g/km =gram per kilometre; kg = kilogram; VOC = volatile organic compound

For more information, go toManagement of specific pressures
Table 8 AQI used in this and previous state of the environment reports

Category

AQI range

Colour

Description

Health advice (if any) for the general populationa

Very good

0–33

Blue

Air quality is considered very good, and air pollution poses little or no risk

None

Good

34–66

Green

Air quality is considered good, and air pollution poses little or no risk

None

Fair

67–99

Yellow

Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a health concern for sensitive people

None

Poor

100–149

Orange

Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. The general population is not likely to be affected in this range

Reduce outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath

Very poor

≥150

Red

Air quality is unhealthy, and everyone may begin to experience health effects. Sensitive people may experience more serious health effects

Avoid outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath.

When indoors, close windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better

Extremely poorb

≥200

Maroon

Air quality is very unhealthy, and everyone may begin to experience health effects. Sensitive people may experience more serious health effects

Stay indoors as much as possible with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better.

If you feel that the air in your home is uncomfortable, consider going to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so

AQI = Air Quality Index

  1. Health advice from NSW (DPIE 2021b). Health advice for sensitive groups is likely to apply at earlier air quality categories.
  2. An additional ‘extremely poor’ maroon category was added in the summer 2019–20 bushfire case study to account for very high ambient fine particulate matter measurements. This category is likely to be retained by the jurisdictions. If air quality is extremely poor, residents are advised to find a room with clean air, such as a large public building with air-conditioning.
For more information, go toApproach
Table 9 Criteria for assigning overall AQI–based qualitative categories