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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.

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 11 - 16 of 16
Assessment Cumulative pressures
2021
2021 Assessment graphic showing that pressures are high, meaning they moderately degrade the state of the environment, over a moderate extent and/or with moderate severity. The situation is deteriorating.

The great majority of Australia’s ecosystems and threatened species are impacted by multiple pressures, which often accumulate and amplify each other. Despite awareness of the importance of cumulative pressures, management actions often target a single pressure, resulting in declines in threatened species populations and loss of important habitats.
Assessments of impact are high
Assessments of trend are deteriorating
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 11.3, 11.b, 12.2

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How was this assessment made
For more information, go toCumulative pressures
Assessment Legislation, policy and international obligations
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 stable.

Australia is signatory to many international agreements, which are reflected in legislation and programs. Implementation of our obligations can be effective, although in some areas the rate of progress is inadequate. A recent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 found that the Act and its implementation were insufficient to protect our environmental values. The legal framework in Australia for Indigenous rights and heritage is regarded as inadequate to fulfil our obligations to care for Country.
Assessments of management effectiveness range from partially effective to effective
Assessments of trend range from deteriorating to improving
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 2.3, 6.4, 6.5, 8.4, 8.9, 11.4, 11.6, 12.2, 12.4, 13.1, 14.2, 14.5, 14.b, 15.1, 15.7

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How was this assessment made
For more information, go toLegislation, policy and international obligations
Assessment Management approaches
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 stable.

Several environmental management approaches are in place or under development in Australia, including integrated management, Indigenous management and co-management. Progress on these approaches varies, and is made more effective by engagement with local and Indigenous communities and stewardship groups.
Assessments of management effectiveness range from partially effective to effective
Assessments of trend range from deteriorating to improving
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 2.3, 6.1, 6.4, 6.5, 6.b, 7.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.6, 11.a, 11.b, 12.2, 12.4, 12.8, 13.1, 13.2, 14.1, 14.2, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6, 15.1, 15.5, 15.6

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How was this assessment made
For more information, go toManagement approaches
Assessment Management of specific sectors and resources
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 stable.

Management of sectors and resources varies widely. Restoration programs, species protection and protected areas are all contributing to effective management, although targets in many areas are not being met. Management actions are taking place but have not been able to change the negative trajectories of many threatened species. The protected area estate is growing in size, although recent years have seen more focus on lower protection levels.
Assessments of management effectiveness range from ineffective to effective
Assessments of trend range from deteriorating to improving
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 2.3, 6.1, 6.4, 6.5, 7.2, 8.4, 8.9, 11.4, 11.a, 12.2, 14.5, 14.6, 14.b, 15.1, 15.5, 15.6

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How was this assessment made
For more information, go toManagement of specific sectors and resources
Assessment Management of pressures
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 deteriorating.

Management of specific pressures varies, resulting in a range of ongoing impacts from low to very high, with trends that are generally deteriorating. Various initiatives, including emissions reduction, climate change adaptation, invasive species control and pollution reduction, are in place to target improvements in coming years; however, in general, more needs to be done to stabilise and improve the state of the environment.
Assessments of management effectiveness range from ineffective to effective
Assessments of trend range from deteriorating to stable
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 11.3, 11.6, 11.b, 12.4, 13.1, 13.2, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5, 15.3, 15.7

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How was this assessment made
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Assessment Resources
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 deteriorating.

Resources available for environmental management are generally insufficient to arrest ecosystem declines. The level of funding, and the quantity, quality and consistency of data, in particular, need improvement. Accountability, coordination between agencies and levels of government, Indigenous involvement, and skills (e.g. taxonomy) also need to be improved. Citizen science and the development of new technologies are important enablers of environmental management.
Assessments of management effectiveness range from ineffective to partially effective
Assessments of trend range from deteriorating to unclear
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 11.3, 11.4, 15.5, 15.a, 17.16

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How was this assessment made
For more information, go toResources