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Threatened Species
STRATEGY 2021–2031
1
MINISTER’S FOREWORD
© Commonwealth of Australia 2021
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Ownership of intellectual property rights Australia’s unique array of native species It is a strategy developed with input from environmental
Unless otherwise noted, copyright (and any other
intellectual property rights) in this publication is and biodiversity is something we cherish, scientists, Commonwealth and State government
OF TRADITIONAL
owned by the Commonwealth of Australia (referred
to as the Commonwealth). something that shapes much of our national agencies, environmental groups, Aboriginal and Torres
identity and which is acknowledged for its Strait Islander organisations, private landholders,
OWNERS AND
Creative Commons licence
All material in this publication is licensed under a
global significance. volunteer groups and private citizens.
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Licence except content supplied by third parties,
COUNTRY
logos and the Commonwealth Coat of Arms.
At the heart of caring for our country and for our Through the Office of the Threatened Species
Inquiries about the licence and any use of
collective future is the need to work together to preserve Commissioner, the Strategy will help coordinate the
this document should be emailed to
copyright@awe.gov.au. that biodiversity. The threats from feral pests, changing efforts across each of these partners, with further support
from a new phase of the National Environmental Science
climates, biosecurity hazards, and from our own human
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Program which prioritises threatened species research,
‘presence’ are not new, but the strategies to meet these
Environment acknowledges the traditional owners and from ongoing investments in the National Landcare
Cataloguing data threats and others are constantly evolving.
This publication (and any material sourced
of country throughout Australia and their continuing Program, habitat restoration, safe havens and partnerships
from it) should be attributed as: The Australian
Government’s Threatened Species Strategy connection to land, sea and community. The Australian Government’s 2021-2031 Threatened Species with zoos to establish captive breeding and species
2021–2031 DAWE 2021, Department of
Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Strategy highlights the need for both commitment and protection programs.
Canberra, April. CC BY 4.0.
We pay our respects to them coordination as we plan the next phase of this process.
ISBN 978-1-76003-397-2 and their cultures and to their elders We all have a role to play in caring for our country and in
This publication is available at past, present and emerging. In the five years since the Commonwealth’s first ever supporting the recovery of our threatened species under
awe.gov.au/publications.
Department of Agriculture, Threatened Species Strategy, we have demonstrated the this strategy – whether it is getting down on our hands
Water and the Environment
GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601
difference that can be made through raising awareness, and knees to pull out weeds, building barriers to keep out
Telephone 1800 900 090
focussing science-based strategies and through mobilising feral pests, installing nest boxes, collecting seeds, being
Web awe.gov.au
actions across our country. I’m proud to present the citizen scientists to monitor where plants are growing and
Disclaimer
The Australian Government acting through Australian Government’s second Threatened Species species are returning or just choosing the best things
the Department of Agriculture, Water and the
Environment has exercised due care and skill in Strategy, which will guide even greater efforts over to plant in our own backyards.
preparing and compiling the information and data in
this publication. Notwithstanding, the Department the next decade.
of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, its Thanks for your care and thanks for your efforts
employees and advisers disclaim all liability,
including liability for negligence and for any loss, The 2021-2031 Threatened Species Strategy builds on protecting our unique biodiversity in the future.
damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any
person as a result of accessing, using or relying on the momentum created through the first Strategy, while
any of the information or data in this publication to The Hon Sussan Ley MP
the maximum extent permitted by law. expanding our ambition. It seeks to reduce the pressures
Minister for the Environment
Acknowledgements on plant and animal populations and, ultimately, reduce
The authors wish to thank all who have contributed
information and provided input to assist with the the number of species in need of protection.
preparation of this revised Strategy. This includes
all who participated in the targeted workshops,
responded to the on-line survey and discussion
paper and contributed to finalising this document.
2 1
Introduction 4
Australia’s threatened species and ecological communities 6
The Australian Government’s role 12
About the Strategy 18
What’s new 19
Vision and approach 22
Objectives 24
Principles for selecting priority species and places 26
Action areas 28
Accountability, monitoring and ensuring success 41
Conclusion 42
Related links 43
Image credits 44
2 3
INTRODUCTION
Our Australian plants Our native species and ecological communities face Building on progress to date, the 2021–2031 Threatened The new Strategy will be underpinned by consecutive
and animals are unique significant challenges with many compounding threats Species Strategy (the Strategy) delivers a framework for 5-year Action Plans. These Action Plans will be published
and distinctive. driving decline. Some of the main threats include invasive action to protect and recover our nation’s threatened as addendums to the Strategy, with the first to be
pests and weeds, habitat loss and fragmentation, and plants and animals across Australia, spanning terrestrial, released in the second half of 2021. Each Action Plan
They form a key part of climate change and large-scale disasters. marine and freshwater environments. It sets a clear vision will identify priority species and places, outline specific
our national identity, and to drive practical on-ground action; identifies key action actions to improve the trajectory and condition of species
are culturally significant to The Australian Government launched the first
areas that are fundamental to the recovery of threatened and places and set targets to measure progress. Five-year
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Threatened Species Strategy in 2015 (the 2015 Strategy)
species and ecological communities; and establishes reviews will measure progress against targets and identify
Islander peoples, important to address these challenges, help prevent species decline
principles for identifying priority threatened species and improvements to the Strategy and Action Plans to help
to the health of our and support species recovery. It established clear priorities
places to focus Australian Government effort. meet the 10-year objectives.
environment and a strong to focus effort, introduced ambitious targets to measure
contributor to our economy. progress and in 5 years delivered promising results to Two high-level objectives will guide the Conservation is everyone’s business. This Strategy invites
make a difference to Australia’s threatened species. direction of the Strategy: a collective effort toward the recovery of Australia’s
Implementation was supported by the contributions of the unique threatened species. We can all play a role, whether
Australian Government, state and territory governments,
1. To improve the trajectories of priority it be through accelerating on-ground action, delivering
non-government organisations, scientists, and the
threatened species by 2031 new research and innovative tools, supporting or
community. 2. To improve the condition of priority participating in community-led activities
places by 2031 such as tree plantings, or raising awareness
about how we can help our threatened
These objectives recognise the importance of measuring
species and ecological communities.
outcomes to track the impact of actions and continues
the approach from the 2015 Strategy. A new place-based
objective extends our focus to threat mitigation and
habitat protection efforts across landscapes, providing
location-specific support for threatened ecological
communities and many threatened species.
4 5
AUSTRALIA’S
THREATENED SPECIES
AND ECOLOGICAL
COMMUNITIES Species endemic to Australia
Many of Australia’s species are endemic to our continent –
meaning they occur nowhere else on Earth. The uniqueness
of Australia’s biodiversity is largely due to our continent
being separated from other land masses for millions of
Australia is a country Our continent supports between years. We have more endemic mammals and reptiles than
rich in unique 600,000 and 700,000 known species. any other country in the world; over 90% of our flowering
plants, animals and More than 4,500 species of marine fish plants are unique to Australia, and in our southern coastal
ecosystems. We are live in Australian inshore waters, Australian waters, as many as 90% of some groups of organisms are
one of 17 megadiverse deserts support more lizard species than found nowhere else in the world.
countries with globally any other comparable environment, and
distinct levels of 17% of the world’s parrots occur in Australia. 94% 93% Our native plants and animals evolved in isolation for over
45 million years and under many tens of thousands of years
biodiversity. Our continent is home to half of the world’s
marsupial species. It is a centre for globally of interactions with our First Nations peoples. Through
important Myrtaceae species (including cultural practice, traditional owners have shaped the
our Eucalypts) and includes 2 global landscape, conserving the plants and animals inextricably
biodiversity hotspots – the south-western connected to their lives and cultural identity. Traditional
heathlands and woodlands, and the forests owners continue to care for country, contribute to our
of eastern Australia. collective ecological knowledge and protect threatened and
92% 87% culturally significant plants and animals.
Australia’s unique species and ecosystems remain central to
our health, well-being and national identity. Our biodiversity
provides the building blocks for our survival, delivering
services supporting clean air, water and shelter. As part of
our everyday lexicon, species names are adopted by our
sporting teams, appear on our money and official coat of
arms, and inspire our art and culture.
45% 24%
6 7
Sadly, Australia has experienced significant biodiversity Australia has more than 1,910 species listed as Our biodiversity is The short period since European arrival has led to The impacts of some threats, such as invasive species and
loss and decline. The period since European arrival has threatened under the Environment Protection and under increased substantial environmental change. Many plant, animal and changes in fire regimes, are damaging in isolation, and
seen a rapid change in land management practices Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) across threat from multiple pathogen species have been introduced, many vegetation devastating when they interact.
and the introduction of a diverse array of threats to our marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. pressures types have been cleared, fire regimes have been modified,
Today, many threatened species and ecological
Australia’s native species. Since European arrival, Plants comprise more than half these species, with over and freshwater and coastal environments have been
communities are suffering from the cumulative impact of
104 extinctions of Australian species have been 1,300 known to be threatened and at risk of extinction. transformed.
multiple threats. The interactions between threats such as
recognised under national environmental law. More than 85 ecological communities – naturally
While hunting and deliberate culling was once a leading invasive species, habitat loss, changed fire regimes and
occurring groups of native plants, animals and other
Many Australian species – in particular mammals – have factor contributing to extinctions, conservation efforts altered hydrology have contributed to significant declines
organisms that interact in a unique habitat – are also
current distributions and population sizes that comprise have largely curtailed this threat. However, over the last in species.
listed as threatened.
only a minute proportion of their former range and 50 years Australia has witnessed a wave of extinctions
abundance. Some of our species have become so rare that With one of the highest rates of extinction in the due to emerging factors, including new invasive species
many Australians have never seen or interacted with them modern world, it is clear that the trajectory for many and disease.
or heard about their plight. of Australia’s native species must change. Australia’s
threatened species and ecological communities are ours
to protect now and for future generations. There is a lot
to do and we all have a role to play.
Species listed under the EPBC Act
1384
plants
145
mammals
157 61
reptiles
40
frogs
62
fish
66
birds invertebrates
8 9
A summary of key threats When we focus our effort, we can
We can make
a difference
A researcher from Museums Victoria waits patiently for flying insects at
the Little Desert Bush Blitz in Victoria. Many insects are attracted to
prevent extinction and put species on the light and use it as a navigational aid – which is also why light pollution
is a potential threat. – Image Heath Warwick Museums Victoria.
path to recovery. There have been many
success stories where species are still here
due to collective action. Predator-free safe
havens have prevented the Mala from
going extinct and Humpback Whales have
Invasive species Changed fire regimes made a strong recovery since commercial
Invasive species, including feral animals (such as Many of our native plants, animals and ecosystems whaling was banned.
cats, foxes, deer, redfin perch, rabbits), weeds are adapted to fire, and need fire at some stage
(such as exotic grasses and escaped garden plants) in their life cycles to survive and flourish. Changes There are many factors in the success
and diseases (such as Myrtle Rust, Phytophthera) in fire regimes, including to frequency, timing and of conservation efforts. Robust ecological
impact native species through predation, habitat intensity of fires or in some cases the exclusion knowledge and data, planning and
modification and degradation, and competition, of fire, place many species and ecological coordination, effective legislation and
reducing availability of resources. communities (including aquatic ecosystems) policies, sufficient resources, monitoring
at risk, by not supporting their climatic and
and adaptive management are all key to
ecological needs.
species recovery. By working together,
we can turn around species decline
Clearing, fragmentation and declining
and ensure that future generations can
quality of habitat
Clearing of native vegetation causes the loss, Changed hydrology enjoy Australia’s unique and diverse
fragmentation and degradation of habitat, impacts Altered surface-water and groundwater hydrology native animals, plants and ecological
water quality, disrupts essential ecosystem can disrupt the timing and nature of ecological communities.
services, and increases the vulnerability of our events, such as plant growth, and fish or bird
native species to invasive species and fire. breeding. River regulation can impact flow
regimes, impact water quality (e.g. temperature,
turbidity, dissolved oxygen) and create barriers to
migration for aquatic biota.
Climate change
A changing climate is impacting our threatened
animals, plants and environments. It is reducing
While these key threats collectively impact high numbers of threatened
the number of animals and plants, and reducing
the places where they occur. Rising temperatures, species, a number of other threats to threatened species and ecological
less rain, more intense and more frequent fires and communities are also active, including pollution and overexploitation
storms, and ocean acidification are all having an for human use. As concluded in the 2020 Independent Review of the
impact. EPBC Act, we need to build the resilience of Australia’s environment to
withstand a range of current, emerging and future threats.
10 11
THE AUSTRALIAN
GOVERNMENT’S ROLE
Our international commitments International environmental agreements shaping the activities The Convention on Australia’s Strategy for The Australian Protecting our threatened species and
of the Australian Government. Biological Diversity Nature 2019–2030 is Government’s Threatened ecological communities is a shared
Many of the most serious environmental pressures (CBD) is one of three Australia’s biodiversity Species Strategy is a responsibility
in Australia are global in scope and effect. Australia International Agreements National Frameworks international environment conservation strategy. It is practical contribution to
is a signatory to various international environmental agreements that emerged the overarching framework the national commitments All governments across Australia – federal, state,
agreements that are focused on conserving and from the Rio Earth Summit for all national, state and set out in Australia’s territory and local – contribute to biodiversity
protecting our living planet through cooperation The Antarctic Sustainable conservation. State and territory governments are
Treaty Development held in 1992. The CBD is territory and local strategies, Strategy for Nature – in
between countries. Being a signatory party to these Goals the overarching global legislation, policies, and particular the objectives responsible for land and coastal waters management
international agreements Australia joins with, and UN Convention framework on biodiversity actions that target nature. and related progress and the protection of species and communities within
Convention on on Biological
works alongside, other global country partners to help the Conservation China-Australia conservation for the United Australia’s Strategy for measures to ‘maximise their jurisdictions. Species and ecological communities
Diversity
improve global and domestic environmental outlooks. of Migratory Migratory Bird Nations system and links all Nature coordinates national species secured in nature’. – and the threats they face – cross boundaries, so a
Species of Agreement national, coordinated approach to conserving our
Through our international commitments, the Wild Animals Australia’s Strategy related biodiversity-related delivery of Australia’s
Convention for Nature conventions and cascading commitments to the biodiversity across our broad land and seascapes is
Australian Government has the constitutional on the
International treaties. CBD, and other related essential. The Australian Government has a primary
basis on which to create and implement national International Whaling Conservation
Plan for the of Antarctic multi-lateral and bilateral role in managing and protecting matters of national
environmental legislation that underpins our Commission
Conservation and Marine Living Australia contributes to environmental significance, including threatened species
regulatory activities. Resources
international agreements.
Management of the CBD, delivering actions and ecological communities listed under the EPBC Act.
Sharks Convention on to meet global targets
the International Many non-government actors complement, enhance,
Trade in Convention on to conserve and use
Wetlands of or lead efforts to protect and conserve Australia’s
Republic of Endangered
International
biodiversity in a sustainable
Korea-Australia Species of biodiversity. The actions of landholders, communities,
Importance manner and share benefits
Migratory Bird Wild Fauna Threatened Species
and Flora arising from genetic traditional owners, the private sector and non-
Agreement Strategy
resources in a fair and government organisations are critical in the recovery
East Asian –
Australasian equitable way. of our threatened species and threatened ecological
Convention Japan – Australia
on Climate Migratory Bird Flyway communities. Indigenous rangers manage nearly half
Change Agreement Partnership of our nation’s protected areas and other regional
and remote landscapes and care for country that has
enormous natural and cultural value.
And many
more…
12 13
Legislation and National leadership and
regulation coordination
National systems for protection and recovery
The EPBC Act is the Australian Government’s central environmental National intergovernmental strategies like Australia’s Strategy for
The Australian Government delivers a suite of regulatory legislation. It provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and Nature, the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan, the Australian Pest
measures, policies, programs and on-ground management internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage Animal Strategy and the Australian Weeds Strategy provide overarching
activities to support Australian plants, animals and places — defined as matters of national environmental significance. frameworks that help support and protect biodiversity by providing a
ecological communities. These measures complement the focus on national effort and articulating objectives and roles.
The EPBC Act provides an annual cycle for nominating and assessing species
work of state, territory and local governments and rely on for listing as threatened on advice from the independent Threatened Species The Australian Government also plays an important facilitation role in
the collaboration of many partners. Scientific Committee. The Common Assessment Method provides a consistent coordinating activities across government and non-government sectors
and harmonised approach to threatened species listings across Australia. to drive better outcomes for threatened species through coordinating
Planning to recover species and ecological communities is undertaken through groups such as the Feral Cat Taskforce and via plans, such as the National
statutory conservation advices and recovery plans. Key threatening processes Carp Control Plan, which guide joint action.
are also identified and listed under the EPBC Act, enabling threat abatement
Researchers and scientists inform robust and The Australian Government helps to raise community awareness of
plans to be made to guide action to manage threats.
evidence-based decision making, which helps prioritise threatened plants and animals in Australia, including through the
the actions needed to support species recovery. The EPBC Act also regulates significant impacts on listed species and Threatened Species Commissioner, who brings a national focus to
Dedicated community groups, such as ‘Friends of’ communities and provides for strategic assessments that consider cumulative threatened species and ecological communities, helping to raise their
and citizen science groups are excellent stewards impacts to these matters. In 2020, Professor Graeme Samuel AC delivered profiles through avenues such as social media, traditional media and
and advocates for the species they support, and the 10 yearly independent statutory review of the EPBC Act and the community engagement.
they contribute meaningful data and information Australian Government is committed to working through the full detail of the
The Australian Government also supports national data and information
recommendations with stakeholders.
on how species are faring. Regional natural resource platforms to share knowledge about Australia’s species and ecological
management (NRM) organisations determine local Other Australian Government legislation that also supports threatened species communities, working in partnership with Australian museums, herbaria
and regional priorities, targeting where to take protection and recovery include the Biosecurity Act 2015 and the Water Act and scientists.
practical action towards improving their local 2007. The Biosecurity Act 2015 manages the biosecurity risks to Australia’s
environment. environment through regulation to prevent non-native pests, weeds and
diseases from entering, emerging, establishing or spreading in Australia. The
By working together, we can better focus and align Water Act 2007 manages Australia’s largest water resource – the Murray
efforts and use resources to their best advantage to Darling Basin – in the national interest. It aims to protect and restore the
protect and recover threatened species for the future. environmental assets of the Murray Darling Basin and also those outside the
Basin where the Commonwealth owns water.
14 15
Land, water and marine Investment in research Support Indigenous rangers
management and on-ground actions and traditional owners
The Australian Government has direct land, water and marine tenure The Australian Government invests in projects with on-ground outcomes for The Australian Government provides funding to support the declaration
and species management responsibilities. These include the ongoing threatened species through a range of government programs. For example, and management of Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) which comprise
management of 6 national parks (of which half are managed jointly with funding through the National Landcare Program includes support for Australia’s close to half of the area of the National Reserve System. IPAs are areas
Legislation and
the traditional owners) and the Australian National Botanic Gardens; NRM organisations to deliver local environmental and sustainable agriculture of land owned or managed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander regulation
59 Australian Marine Parks; the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; and projects. Australian Government programs are increasingly incorporating groups. They are voluntarily managed as a protected area for biodiversity
Department of Defence properties. The Australian Government also monitoring of on-ground outcomes to better assess the impact of investments conservation through an agreement with the Australian Government.
manages water resources supporting national environmental assets of the and inform future actions.
Murray Darling Basin and in other places where the Commonwealth owns The Australian Government supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
water. The Australian Government has a role in protecting the unique The Australian Government supports environmental and climate research peoples to protect and conserve land and sea country through the
through the National Environmental Science Program. This scientific research Indigenous Ranger Program. This important work on country contributes National
threatened marine and terrestrial species of the Antarctic region under Land, water
provides evidence for the design, delivery and on-ground outcomes of to the conservation of threatened species by protecting habitat, restoring leadership
the Protocol on Environment Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Madrid and marine
and
environmental programs; helps decision-makers, including from Aboriginal traditional fire regimes and managing feral pests. management
Protocol) and other international agreements. coordination
and Torres Strait Islander communities; builds resilience; and supports positive National roles in
environmental, social and economic outcomes. The Australian Government
threatened species
also supports long-term monitoring, research and taxonomic – systematic
studies through a range of programs, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine recovery
Monitoring Program, Regional Land Partnerships Long-term Monitoring
Program, Australian Seed Bank Partnership programs and the Australian
Biological Resources Study.
Support
Investment Indigenous
in research and rangers and
on-ground traditional
actions owners
16 17ABOUT THE THREATENED
SPECIES STRATEGY
What is the Threatened The 2021–2031 Threatened Species Strategy outlines The Strategy establishes the principles underpinning 2015 Strategy history and achievements
Threatened
Species Strategy? the Australian Government’s approach to protecting and the Australian Government’s priorities for action and
Species Strategy
recovering Australia’s threatened species and threatened investment in conservation of threatened species and The Australian Government has supported threatened
2015 – 2020
ecological communities, setting a vision to focus action threatened ecological communities. It helps to guide species outcomes through regulatory activities,
over the next 10 years. It functions as a road map to our investments in research and on-ground action and conservation planning and program investments for 5 years
demonstrate how a combined approach of science, action is informed by the outcomes and lessons learned from many years, but the 2015 Strategy was the first Australian 70 priority species:
Government action-based policy dedicated to preventing mammals, birds
and partnership can be used to achieve the long-term those programs.
extinction and recovering threatened species. and plants
goal of reversing species declines and supporting species
Partnerships are critical for maximising resources Four action areas
recovery, within a broader need for landscape-scale WH
NEA
The 2015 Strategy set out an approach of science, action
and reducing duplication, and the Strategy provides T’
restoration to support all threatened species.
a foundation for stakeholders to partner with the and partnerships to protect and recover Australia’s W S
This new Strategy is an action-based policy that promotes Australian Government. priority threatened plants and animals. It was boosted
by prioritisation principles for focusing effort; and 4 key Threatened Species
practical on-ground actions supported by research and Strategy 2021 – 2031
The Strategy complements other Australian Government action areas where the Australian Government could
backed by measurable time-bound targets.
actions to protect threatened species and ecological achieve significant positive impacts. New ten-year vision
communities, such as listing, strategic planning and
Refreshed prioritisation
the regulation of actions that impact them under the Introducing measures of progress, the 2015 Strategy’s
principles
EPBC Act. The Strategy supports the objectives and Action Plan included explicit and measurable targets
to improve the trajectories of the 70 priority species, Introducing focus on
operation of the EPBC Act – for example by increasing priority places
collection and synthesis of species data and information. decrease the impacts of feral cats on our threatened
species, increase the number of fenced areas and Refresh and identify more
It is consistent with the key reform directions priority species, to include
recommended by Professor Graeme Samuel AC in the feral-free islands as safe havens, and improve recovery
additional taxa groups
2020 EPBC Act review and will be flexible to adapt and practices by 2020.
Extend focus of effort in more
respond to any future legislative reforms. The 2015 Strategy’s targets were ambitious, with the key action areas, from four to
Action Plan 2021 - 2026
view that it is best to set a high bar. Setting ambitious, eight direct on-ground and
supporting actions, expanding
outcomes focused targets was a strategic move to
opportunities to act.
drive change, through incentivising action and ensuring Action Plan 2027-2031
accountability.
18 19A NEW THREATENED SPECIES
STRATEGY
Outcomes under the 2015 Strategy After 3 years, 6 birds and 8 mammals were on a better Australia’s Threatened Species Strategy 2021–2031
path. Populations of Norfolk Island Green Parrots had is the overarching framework for the Australian THREATENED ACTION PLAN
• Improved trajectory for 6 priority birds and SPECIES STRATEGY
doubled through control of feral rats and cats together Government’s ongoing approach to protecting and
8 priority mammals within the space of 3 years.
with nest protection and habitat rehabilitation, and recovering threatened species. Vision
• More than $535 million for over 1400 projects emergency interventions had reduced the extinction risk
with outcomes that support threatened species of the Central Rock-rat and the Gilbert’s Potoroo. This Strategy builds on the progress and lessons learned so far, Objectives
mobilised by the Australian Government between including previous action taken by the Australian Government and Prioritisation
2014 and 2020. The focus on priority plants led to the discovery of new its partners. The new 10-year strategy will continue to tackle the principles
populations of many species, such as the Purple Wattle. legacy threats that face threatened species, such as established
• Legislative change to support feral cat Action Areas
It prompted mass planting of other species such as the feral pests and habitat loss, and will also address new and
management across all jurisdictions and on-ground
Silver Daisy Bush, and the number of threatened plants emerging challenges such as new invasive species and diseases
control estimated to be occurring across more Priority Priority Target
in conservation seed banks grew. In 5 years, we made and the impacts of climate change. The Strategy is consistent with
than 18 million hectares of the Australian species places actions
significant inroads into tackling the impacts of feral cats, the key reform directions in the 2020 EPBC Act review, which
landscape over 5 years.
with many new predator-free safe havens established, recommended a focus on landscape-scale planning to manage
• Increasing community awareness of Australia’s and more than 18 million hectares of the Australian threats to and cumulative impacts on threatened species and
unique threatened species, the threats they landscape under feral cat control. approaches to foster private sector participation in restoration.
face, and how we can all play a role in the fight TARGETS
against extinction. Meeting ambitious targets within a 5-year time frame The Strategy will be accompanied by two 5-year Action Plans.
was always going to be a challenge and not all targets Each consecutive Action Plan will establish priority species,
Australia’s first Threatened Species Strategy was a were achieved. This is a reminder that recovery can places and actions to focus Australian Government efforts.
successful model for raising awareness and mobilising take time and the threats to our native species can Species and places of focus will be selected in accordance with ACTIONS
action across the country to protect threatened species. be difficult to combat. We learned lessons along the prioritisation principles and we will measure and report on action
Most importantly, it showed that focussed efforts can way and our assessment of progress against targets is Progress,
and outcomes. The Strategy and accompanying Action Plans will watch and
make a difference – if we reduce pressures on our helping us to see which priority species need ongoing guide the Australian Government’s priorities for investment under act, adapt,
wildlife then we can improve the trajectories of some attention, and what actions are needed under future existing and ongoing environmental funding sources, such as REPORTING
targets
of our most threatened species. Action Plans. Annual progress reports on the 2015 the Natural Heritage Trust and associated programs. The Action
Strategy are on the department’s website. Plans will also provide the opportunity to incorporate Australian
Government reforms to the EPBC Act, including those in response
to the recommendations of the 2020 EPBC Act review.
20 21OUR
APPROACH
The Australian Government’s approach to Science Action Partnerships
OUR VISION managing threatened species is underpinned
by science, action and partnerships.
Knowledge is key. By engaging scientific Our knowledge informs our action. The Conservation is everyone’s business, and we
experts and utilising reliable data for Australian Government is committed all have a role to play.
All 3 elements contribute to the work under the evidence-based decision making, actions will to ensuring that actions to protect and
Australia’s threatened species Strategy and Action Plans, from selecting species be chosen that are the most likely to succeed. recover threatened species and threatened
Effective action relies on collaboration,
including with state and territory governments
and priority places and determining actions to By monitoring results and applying adaptive ecological communities are based on
and ecological communities are setting targets and reporting. management approaches, successful actions prioritisation of resources and effort
and the dedicated efforts of volunteers,
community groups, scientists, non-government
valued, protected and on the While science and good data can direct and inform
can be identified, and interventions can
be put in place to get better outcomes. By
and backed with hard and measurable
targets. Australian Government programs
organisations, land and sea managers and
the business sector. It also relies on working
path to recovery actions and guide management responses, the success
of the action depends on effective collaboration
recognising and incorporating Aboriginal incorporate these priorities into investments
closely with traditional owners, custodians of
and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ immensely and rely on science, environmental data and
between all partners. land and sea country for thousands of years, to
valuable ecological knowledge, gained and conservation planning documents to guide
enhance their involvement in decision-making,
A genuine integration of science, action and passed down over countless generations, specific actions.
on-ground action, monitoring and research,
partnership will achieve the greatest benefits for we will deliver better outcomes for both the
In this Strategy we will continue to support through ‘right-way science’.
threatened species. environment and people.
actions at local scales, such as habitat
Working collectively builds on shared
The Australian Government recognises that augmentation, where appropriate. We will
aspirations and brings together unique values
ecological knowledge about many threatened also support more actions that will benefit
and strengths to solve complex environmental
species is limited, due to lack of consistently threatened species across regional scales,
challenges. By working together, resources can
collected, long-term, reliable and accessible such as threat mitigation, to increase the
be more effectively prioritised and maximised
data. The Strategy will support initiatives to resilience of threatened species more
to achieve positive results for threatened
improve the quality of data across the data broadly in the Australian landscape.
species and ecological communities. The
supply chain, which will lead to improved
strengths of all partners can achieve the best
evidence-based decision making for
outcomes, from local knowledge and solutions,
threatened species conservation.
to the latest research and tools from across the
globe. Australian Government leadership can
coordinate efforts and resources, especially
across jurisdictional boundaries.
22 23OBJECTIVES
Two high-level objectives will guide the The objectives recognise the importance of Priority places is a new approach that recognises
direction of the Strategy: outcome-based measurable targets to track the impact that some threatened species share habitat and
of collective action. that place-based action can support protection and
recovery of more than one species. Place-based
1.
Focussing on priority threatened species will help
To improve the trajectories of priority conservation can also provide coordinated action
target Australian Government effort and generate
threatened species by 2031 for poorly known and imperilled species, as well as
benefits for the priority species and other species that
listed threatened species. This new objective will
share their habitat. It continues the approach from
focus efforts on threatened ecological communities
2.
the 2015 Strategy and will provide ongoing support to
and threatened species habitats, including places
To improve the condition of priority some previously identified priority species as well as
where many threatened species are co-located,
places by 2031 new species from a broader range of taxonomic groups,
mainland or island safe havens where major threats
including fish, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates
can be eliminated, and possible climate refuges for
associated with a diverse range of environments
the future. Improvements in condition will be tailored
including marine and freshwater ecosystems.
to each place but could include actions to eliminate
While the ultimate purpose is to remove species invasive pests or improve habitat quality.
from the threatened species list, recovery is complex
Actions that will help meet these objectives for the
and takes time, particularly in the context of long-term
identified priority species and places might include
historical decline. By measuring trajectories – that
habitat restoration or wide-scale threat management.
is whether a species is declining, stabilising or
Actions such as these will have flow on benefits for
improving – we can assess how a species is tracking
other species that occupy the same habitats,
on the path to recovery.
landscapes and seascapes.
The list of priority species, continuing and new, and
priority places will be set out in each consecutive
Action Plan following a process of selection using the
prioritisation principles.
24 25SIX PRIORITISATION PRINCIPLES
RISK OF EXTINCTION FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS UNIQUENESS
PRINCIPLES FOR SELECTING
Prioritising species and places under severe Prioritising species and places where action Prioritising species and places that are
and imminent threat can make a difference and is cost-effective unlike any other
PRIORITY SPECIES AND PLACES • Threatened species at high risk of imminent
extinction; or places that are critically
• Threatened species and places where actions
to mitigate threats or support recovery
• Threatened species that are
taxonomically distinct – that is, species
important to threatened species where are well understood and can be practically that have no close relatives.
suitable habitat is at risk of a dramatic decline. implemented at ecologically meaningful
• Threatened species or places that
Prioritising attention and effort on The 6 principles were developed in consultation with
• Threatened species or ecological
scales (e.g. where the success of conservation are unique to Australia and not found
selected species and action areas led to stakeholders and provide a transparent basis for communities that are highly restricted or actions has been effectively demonstrated anywhere else.
tangible conservation gains under the the selection of species and places as priorities for limited in distribution and/or size, and through monitoring and evaluation).
2015 Strategy and this approach will be coordinated, national attention under the Strategy’s where a foreseeable chance event could • Threatened species and places where REPRESENTATIVENESS
continued in this Strategy. Action Plans. cause extinction. effective prior investment by the Australian
Government can be built on and/or Achieving balance in selected species
Priority species and places will be selected in Five of the prioritisation principles (risk of extinction, investment by other organisations and and places
MULTIPLE BENEFITS
accordance with 6 prioritisation principles and multiple benefits, feasibility and effectiveness, importance governments can be complemented.
Prioritising species and places where recovery • Include threatened species from a
included in the new Action Plan. The 6 prioritisation to people and uniqueness) focus on characteristics of
action will benefit other species • Threatened species and places where effective range of taxonomic groups, with
principles help us identify where Australian threatened species and places that make them good
collaboration and coordination of conservation a balance between charismatic and
Government investment in threatened species candidates for coordinated, national action. Not all
• Threatened species that share common effort across organisations and governments other species.
recovery can be strategically targeted to best meet species and places will align with all 5 principles. For threats or habitats with other threatened will improve likelihood of recovery.
example, some species at high risk of extinction may • Include threatened species and places
the Strategy objectives. species, so that action to mitigate the threat from different parts of Australia,
be poorly known by the community and yet have an or improve habitat would benefit multiple IMPORTANCE TO PEOPLE including land, freshwater and marine
important functional role in the ecosystem – just because threatened species. environments and from urban, regional
a species is not charismatic does not mean it will not be a Prioritising species and places of cultural
• Places that contribute to the persistence of significance and remote areas.
priority for action. The sixth principle – representativeness biodiversity (e.g. refugia under projected
• Include places from across a range of
– applies to the suite of priority species and places; to climate change impacts) and/or are • Threatened species and places that hold tenures, including public and private
ensure that there is a balance across different taxonomic important habitat for many species. special significance to communities, including land, and with different levels of
groups, environments and parts of Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Threatened species and places that statutory protection.
provide demonstrated benefits to other • Threatened species and places that are valued • Include a range of different places
species (e.g. a keystone species that has a by the Australian community, with potential (e.g., climate refugia, island and
functional role or a place that provides an to build strong and continued support for mainland safe havens, sites for
ecosystem service). conservation into the future.
restoration).
26 27ACTION AREAS
This Strategy identifies 8 key action areas that are fundamental to the recovery of threatened Action areas are complementary and not mutually
species and where the Australian Government will focus and build on efforts. exclusive. For example, fire management activities
designed to improve habitat condition could also help
to mitigate the threat of invasive species. For many
Direct Action Areas Supporting Action Areas priority species and places, actions will be needed across
multiple action areas. Some of these actions will focus
on providing specific benefits at local scales for priority
1. Mitigating 2. Conserving, 3. Emergency 4. Climate 5. Effective 6. Knowledge 7. Forging 8. Community species, while others will be broader in range, with
new and restoring and preparedness change planning for and tools stronger leadership and
established improving and response adaptation conservation partnerships engagement
positive impacts across landscapes intended to benefit
threats habitat and resilience multiple species.
The Strategy identifies the broad action areas. The
5-year Action Plans will identify specific actions and
They include direct on-ground actions, such as threat
targets under each of these 8 action areas. Actions will
mitigation and habitat conservation and restoration, as
be focused on improving the trajectories of priority
well as supporting actions that strengthen the effectiveness
species and the condition of priority places but will also
of on-ground interventions, such as planning, research and
contribute more broadly to the Strategy’s long-term
community participation.
vision that Australia’s threatened species are valued,
Action across these 8 areas supports the recovery of protected and on the path to recovery.
priority species and advance species recovery more broadly.
Conservation advices, recovery plans and threat
They build on the momentum of action across 4 key areas
abatement plans remain a critical part of planning for the
targeted by the 2015 Strategy – tackling feral cats, safe
recovery of individual species and ecological communities
havens for species most at risk, improving habitat, and
and will continue to provide scientific evidence and
emergency interventions to prevent extinctions.
recommended actions. The Action Plans will support the
implementation of these plans and advices for priority
threatened species and in priority places.
28 29FOCUS ON
ACTION AREAS
1. Mitigating new and established threats Under the Action Plans, threat 2. Conserving, restoring and improving habitat The Strategy will support the protection, restoration
mitigation actions could include and improvement of habitat for priority threatened
Australia has seen a range of threats to our native coordinated threat management in All animals and plant species need suitable and species, and in identified priority places – which could
species introduced since European arrival. Many open landscapes and threat elimination high-quality habitat to survive and flourish. Improving include threatened ecological communities, habitats
of these threats now operate across much of our land, in targeted areas. Expanding the network of the extent, connectivity and condition of habitat across that support multiple threatened species, and climate
and in our oceans. They include feral predators, feral island and mainland predator-free safe havens and our landscapes will support the persistence and recovery change refugia. The Strategy will also support landscape
herbivores, invasive weeds, aquatic pests and changes supporting wild-to-wild translocations will all help to of threatened species. level interventions that benefit threatened species more
to fire regimes. They operate independently and manage and remove the threats and help boost wild broadly, such as protecting key habitat in collaboration
Commonwealth, state and territory environmental laws
together to drive species decline. populations of some of our most threatened species. with landowners and land managers, connecting key
regulate actions that involve land clearing and cause
Some threats have been established for over 100 years habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation. The Strategy habitat – for example through the creation of vegetation
This action area will build on the success of our
and are ubiquitous across Australia, while others arrived complements the EPBC Act by enabling activities to restore corridors to enable species movement; addressing barriers
2015 Strategy’s focus on feral cats and securing safe
more recently and remain confined in limited locations. and rehabilitate habitat and provide incentives for habitat to fish passage in aquatic environments; and improving
havens; and extend our efforts to other established
However, these need to be managed carefully as they conservation to support landscape-scale restoration. fire management practices, including cultural burning by
or emerging invasive pests or weeds where there is
will cause more harm if they spread. For example, The Action Plans also provide the flexibility to respond traditional owners.
a pressing need for Commonwealth leadership and
Myrtle Rust is a significant emerging threat for many coordination – for example, feral herbivores, major to and implement any new approaches shaped by future Actions could include identifying habitat critical to
native Australian plants. weeds and emerging plant diseases like Myrtle Rust. legislative reforms. the survival of priority threatened species, delivery of
The Australian Government is focused on supporting incentives for the stewardship of threatened species
Actions supported under the Strategy will
threat mitigation actions that can be practically habitat on private land; and on-ground interventions
complement the work of the Chief Environmental
undertaken now or can begin in the next few years and such as revegetation, installing environmental water
Biosecurity Officer in preventing the establishment
that will make a real difference to threatened species flow measures, erosion control, effective weed and fire
and spread of exotic pests, weeds and diseases that
during the Strategy’s time frame. These could include management and habitat augmentation (such as provision
could put additional pressure on our native terrestrial
threat abatement planning at the appropriate scale; of artificial nesting hollows and artificial aquatic breeding
and marine species, complementing actions
the development of new tools and technologies to habitat to support fish).
identified through the National Priority List of Exotic
effectively and efficiently manage feral pests and weeds Environment Pests, Weeds and Diseases and across
across the landscape; and practical interventions that are the biosecurity continuum of measures.
coordinated across tenures and jurisdictions.
30 31FOCUS ON
ACTION AREAS
3. Emergency preparedness and response These could include acute events, such as a severe 4. Climate change adaptation and resilience This will require a coordinated effort
storm, catastrophic fire, or a disease outbreak that between public and private landholders,
Species can be pushed dangerously close to extinction rapidly diminishes wild populations, but may also The changing climate is driving changes in species scientists, land and water resource
or face significant impacts within a short timeframe, include deepening chronic pressures, such as prolonged distribution and the composition and functioning of managers and traditional owners; and further
and we must be quick to respond. Responding rapidly severe drought. Through the Strategy, we will strive to ecological communities, exacerbating the impacts guidance to assist decision-makers.
to emergency events, such as disease outbreaks and improve anticipation and preparation for emergencies of other pressures such as habitat fragmentation and
bushfires, was an important feature of the first Strategy. invasive species. We also need improved collection, storage and sharing
so that the impact of future natural disasters and other
of environmental data across government jurisdictions
This Strategy and its five-year Action Plans will also damaging events on our threatened species is reduced, Reducing the impact of established pressures on and research entities. This will require focussed
be intentionally flexible in nature to enable rapid recognising that the intensity and frequency of such threatened species, such as by tackling invasive pests collaboration across all elements of the data supply
responses to natural disasters and other emergency events is likely to increase with a changing climate. The and weeds and conserving habitat, will build the resilience chain to build holistic and agreed solutions.
events to help avert extinctions. The 2019–2020 Black Australian Government will work with state and territory of our native species and support their capacity to adapt
Summer bushfires across southern and eastern Australia governments, and the community, to identify how we to a changing climate – but there are targeted actions As parts of the landscape become unsuitable for species
had a devastating impact on our native species and can improve responses to future emergencies, including that can be taken to improve the adaptive capacity of survival, translocations of species and populations
ecosystems, with experts identifying more than enhancing our agility to react and respond quickly our native species and places. into new, more suitable locations outside their natural
800 native plants, animals and ecological communities when emerging risks are urgent. This could include range may be needed – in a process called ‘assisted
better integration of biodiversity needs into emergency Actions that are needed to assist threatened species colonisation’. Assisted colonisation has been attempted
in need of urgent management intervention.
planning and response and enhanced collaboration in to adapt to a changing climate, taking account of for native species like the Western Swamp Tortoise, whose
The Australian Government’s rapid and strategic the collation and sharing of data to rapidly assess the interactions with other threats, include risk-based wetland habitat is drying under a changing climate, and
emergency response to the bushfires, designed and impacts of disasters on plants and animals, consistent conservation planning, identifying and conserving places may be an important conservation strategy for many
delivered in collaboration with state and territory with recommendations of the Royal Commission into that will be refugia for threatened species into the future species into the future.
governments, scientific experts and the community, National Natural Disaster Arrangements. and protecting and restoring habitat corridors to help
is supporting the persistence and recovery of many threatened species migrate to new locations. There will also be a need to undertake habitat restoration,
threatened species and their habitats. Ongoing efforts Establishing insurance populations of threatened species including revegetation activities, and targeted
will be needed to recover and build the resilience of is one strategy to ensure that future catastrophic events environmental water delivery, with an eye to future
these bushfire-affected threatened plants and animals do not lead to species extinctions. The establishment climate scenarios. This could include planting species
into the future. We understand that new risks and natural of captive-bred populations and genome banks for and provenances that are more likely to survive and
disasters may arise over the course of the Strategy. threatened animals and seedbanks for threatened plants, thrive in a changing climate.
complemented by wild-to-wild translocations and
supported by the network of island and safe havens, help
to reduce the risk of extinction from stochastic events.
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