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.

Reference

Bartley R, Waters D, Turner R, Kroon F, Wilkinson S, Garzon-Garcia A et al. (2017). Sources of sediment, nutrients, pesticides and other pollutants to the Great Barrier Reef. In: Scientific consensus statement 2017: a synthesis of the science of land-based water quality impacts on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Government, Brisbane.

Schaffelke B, Collier C, Kroon F, Lough J, McKenzie L, Ronan M, Uthicke S & Brodie J (2017). The condition of coastal and marine ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef and their responses to water quality and disturbances. In: Scientific consensus statement 2017: a synthesis of the science of land-based water quality and impacts on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Government, Brisbane.

DES (Queensland Department of Environment and Science) (2019). Reef water quality report card, DES, Brisbane, https://reportcard.reefplan.qld.gov.au.

GBRMPA (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority) (2019). Great Barrier Reef outlook report 2019, GBRMPA, Townsville.