Home

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.

Due to technical issues, graphs, maps and tables are currently not displaying within the main content, however, are available via the chapter resources navigation bar. We are working on a solution to resolve the issue.

Assessments

What are assessments?

Authors of the report assess various aspects of the environment and rate their status, the impact of pressures, the effectiveness of management, and the impact on our wellbeing. Assessments are based on the current science and literature and expert opinion, and authors also rate their confidence in the strength of the evidence that supports the assessment. 

Showing results 1 - 4 of 4
Assessment The state of Country and connection to Country
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing the environment is in very poor condition, resulting in heavily degraded environmental values, and the situation is stable.
Somewhat adequate confidence

Many signs indicate that the health of Country is deteriorating, which has negative impacts on people–Country connections. Negative trends are consistent across regions. Legal recognition of Indigenous–Country connection is increasing, but traditional laws and governance are poorly recognised, leading to problems for Country and Indigenous people. Access to Country is difficult for many Indigenous people, and the distinctive cultural, spiritual and physical relationships are stronger than the economic relationships.
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 2.5, 6.6, 14.2, 15.1

Legend
How was this assessment made
For more information, go toCountry and connections
Assessment The health of Australia’s lands and seas that underpins distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical and economic connections with Indigenous people
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing the environment is in very poor condition, resulting in heavily degraded environmental values, and the situation is deteriorating.
Adequate confidence

Many early warning signs are showing that things are wrong. We are losing species, which greatly impacts culture and our connections.
Regionally consistent.

Assessment Areas of Australia’s land and seas covered by or subject to, Indigenous people’s legal rights or interests
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing the environment is in poor condition, resulting in diminished environmental values, but the situation is improving.
Somewhat adequate confidence

The Indigenous land and sea estate is growing, but there is a developing crisis if Indigenous organisations do not have adequate legal rights to negotiate agreements and rights. Legal recognition has increased overall, but Indigenous rights are highly constrained by Australian governments’ laws. Traditional laws, lore and governance are poorly recognised. Few rights are recognised over the seas and inland waters. Economic opportunities are limited for many Indigenous communities as they are struggling to operate.
Regionally variable, great increases in some places and little in many (e.g. south-eastern Australia).

Assessment Maintenance of a distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical and economic relationship between Indigenous people and Country through sufficient access to their land and waters
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing the environment is in very poor condition, resulting in heavily degraded environmental values, but the situation is improving.
Somewhat adequate confidence

Access to land and waters is generally not sufficient. Economic relationships are highly dependent on funding and contracts, which are lacking. The distinctive cultural, spiritual and physical relationships continue.
Regionally variable.

Assessment Wellbeing of Indigenous people
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing the environment is in very poor condition, resulting in heavily degraded environmental values, but the situation is improving.
Somewhat adequate confidence

Overall, the state of Indigenous people’s wellbeing scored very poor to poor, with an overall trend of improving, although with substantial numbers of experts assessing the trend as deteriorating. Recognition of Indigenous peoples as First Nations with responsibilities for Country is increasing, but wellbeing outcomes aligned with the inseparable Country–people connection continue to be affected by barriers to being on Country. Intergenerational trauma from colonisation and policies such as the Stolen Generations continue. Indigenous languages and cultures are resurging, but there is limited external support for relevant activities. Regional variation is high, with great disparities between urban, rural and remote populations.
Measurement of wellbeing is preliminary, as Indigenous-led wellbeing assessments are at an early stage of development. Further support is needed to better align criteria and methods with Indigenous people’s own values and practices.
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 1.4, 2.3, 8.3, 15.6

Legend
How was this assessment made
For more information, go toPeople
Assessment Indigenous peoples’ cultures and languages
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing the environment is in poor condition, resulting in diminished environmental values, but the situation is improving.
Somewhat adequate confidence

Key gaps exist between the strength of language and culture, and the support for language and culture. Limited external support is available, and strength and vitality has been self-generated against the odds.
Regionally variable, with some communities much stronger than their neighbours.

Assessment Ability of Indigenous people to fulfil their caring for Country activities and obligations
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing the environment is in very poor condition, resulting in heavily degraded environmental values, but the situation is improving.
Somewhat adequate confidence

Indigenous people’s ability to care for Country is affected by their health and wellbeing, and vice versa: the two are inseparable. Being on and reconnecting with Country improves health and wellbeing. Trauma from colonisation, from losing Elders, from ongoing discrimination and disadvantage, continues to have negative impacts on people’s ability to care for Country.
Regionally variable, with great disparities between urban, rural and remote areas.

Assessment Recognition and support for Indigenous peoples’ identities as cohesive communities of First Peoples and their associated connections to Australia’s land and seas
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing the environment is in very poor condition, resulting in heavily degraded environmental values, but the situation is improving.
Somewhat adequate confidence

Recognition of identities is increasing, but support for identity, culture, community and connection is lagging. The broader community lacks understanding of what identity means for Indigenous people in terms of cultural, spiritual connection to Country. People in regions where legal recognition and associated support is increasing are experiencing associated positive wellbeing outcomes (e.g. northern Australia), whereas others still have lack of recognition and support (e.g. people in urban areas).
Regionally variable, with great disparities between urban and rural areas.

Assessment Pressures on Country, connections and Indigenous people
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing that pressures are very high, meaning they strongly degrade the state of the environment, over a large extent and with a high degree of severity. The situation is deteriorating.
Somewhat adequate confidence

There are very high negative effects on Indigenous people across Australia from environmental, socio-political and economic pressures and drivers of change. The overall trend is deteriorating, with pressures increasing. Legacies of colonisation continue to impact through, for example, cultural knowledge piracy. Clearing of land, climate change and mining expansion are among many environmental changes damaging Country and Indigenous people’s heritage, cultural connections and obligations. Environmental programs pay insufficient attention to cultural obligations, and regulations can impede key cultural activities such as Indigenous hunting, fishing and gathering traditions. Unequal access to funding and to Country is degrading knowledge of, and activities on, Country. These negative impacts are largely consistent across regions, with some exceptions.
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 12.4, 13.1, 14.2, 15.5

Legend
How was this assessment made
For more information, go toPeople and industry
Assessment Legacies of colonisation that degrade Indigenous people’s capacity, equity and cultural safety for governance and management of Australia’s land and seas
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing that pressures are very high, meaning they strongly degrade the state of the environment, over a large extent and with a high degree of severity. The situation is deteriorating.
Somewhat adequate confidence

Legacies of colonisation continue to have very high negative impacts through, for example, cultural knowledge piracy and the politics of ongoing colonial oppression.
Regionally consistent.

Assessment Pressures that degrade environmental assets of significance to Indigenous people
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing that pressures are very high, meaning they strongly degrade the state of the environment, over a large extent and with a high degree of severity. The situation is deteriorating.
Adequate confidence

Pressures like land clearing, climate change and mining expansion are growing, and their impacts on Indigenous people are increasing.
Regionally consistent.

Assessment Environmental pressures that degrade cultural and environmental knowledge and practices for caring for Country, and cross-generational transmission of these
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing that pressures are very high, meaning they strongly degrade the state of the environment, over a large extent and with a high degree of severity. The situation is deteriorating.
Adequate confidence

Physical pressures are increasing – for example, climate change, deforestation, and socio-political pressures such as formal environmental management programs that do not fund Elders and young people to be on Country together at the same time or regulations that make Indigenous fishing difficult.
Regionally consistent.

Assessment Socio-economic pressures on Indigenous people
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing that pressures are very high, meaning they strongly degrade the state of the environment, over a large extent and with a high degree of severity. The situation is deteriorating.
Somewhat adequate confidence

Unequal access to money, land, sea and water are pressures that stop people engaging in businesses that would allow them to practise caring for Country and pass on their knowledge.
Regionally variable, with some regions having greater access to funding.

Assessment Management effectiveness
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing that management is partially effective, meaning that management measures have limited impact on maintaining or improving the state of the environment. The situation is improving.
Somewhat adequate confidence

Management responses are currently partially effective with an overall trend of improving across much of Australia through diverse government and community programs and policies. Rangers and environmental management programs are increasing opportunities for Indigenous land and sea management. Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) have great strengths as Indigenous-led ways to recognise, respect and provide some resources for Indigenous management. However, IPAs are not comprehensive, adequate or representative, and lack the legislative foundations to stop extractive uses such as mining. Self-determined governance through traditional and customary laws, lore and cultural practices is poorly recognised, which undermines the capacity for Indigenous-led caring for Country. A greater focus on longer-term funding, adequate resources, building of diverse skills (rangers, coordinators, managers, advisers) will improve capacity.
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 2.3, 12.8, 15.6

Legend
How was this assessment made
For more information, go toEnablers of caring for Country
Assessment Recognition of Indigenous people’s distinctive relationships with and obligations for caring for Country
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing that management is ineffective, meaning that management measures are failing to stop substantial declines in the state of the environment. The situation is improving.
Somewhat adequate confidence

Current legislation, regulations and policies do not consider traditional and customary laws, lore and cultural governance.
Regionally variable.

Assessment Comprehensive, adequate, representative and appropriately managed Indigenous Protected Areas
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing that management is partially effective, meaning that management measures have limited impact on maintaining or improving the state of the environment. The situation is improving.
Somewhat adequate confidence

IPAs have great strengths as Indigenous-led ways to recognise, respect and provide some resources for Indigenous management. However, IPAs do not represent all ecosystems across Australia, and are not comprehensive. IPAs lack legislative foundations and cannot stop extractive industries (e.g. mining or commercial fisheries).
Regionally variable.

Assessment Indigenous people’s self-determined governance of Australia’s lands and waters is recognised and supported
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing that management is partially effective, meaning that management measures have limited impact on maintaining or improving the state of the environment. The situation is improving.
Somewhat adequate confidence

Self-determined governance through traditional and customary laws, lore and cultural practices is poorly recognised. Few rights are recognised over the seas and inland waters.
Regionally variable.

Assessment Indigenous people’s capacity to manage and use the resources of Australia’s land and seas
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing that management is partially effective, meaning that management measures have limited impact on maintaining or improving the state of the environment. The situation is improving.
Somewhat adequate confidence

Indigenous people’s capacity is often undermined by lack of control. Their rights to manage are not properly recognised or supported with resources, so they depend on others to enable their participation. Regulations also stop management and use. A greater focus on longer-term funding, adequate resources, building of diverse skills (rangers, coordinators, managers, advisers) will improve capacity.
Regionally variable.