Our purpose, objectives and priorities statement [PDF 149KB] sets the foundation for our strategic direction for forward years. It provides clarity on who we are, and what we are here to do.
Our purpose
Partnering and regulating to enhance Australia’s agriculture, unique environment and heritage, and water resources.
Our objectives
We work across the breadth of our vast and valuable resources. On the land and water and in towns and cities.
Our purpose is supported by 5 objectives, or key areas of focus:
Support stewardship and sustainable management to enhance Australia’s environment and our unique heritage
- Find out how we regulate and enforce legislation to protect our environment.
- Read more about Australia's heritage.
Manage biosecurity risks to Australian agriculture, the environment and our way of life
- Biosecurity is critical to preventing, responding to and recovering from pests and diseases that threaten the economy and environment.
- Find out how we manage biosecurity risks.
Advance Australia’s strategic, scientific and environmental interests in the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean
- Find out about Australia’s Antarctic Program.
Support the sustainable management and productive use of Australia’s water resources
- We provide national leadership in water reform.
- Read more about our water policy and resources.
Assist industry to grow to a $100 billion agriculture sector by 2030
- Our policies and services help deliver a productive, competitive and sustainable agricultural sector.
- Read more about how we support Australia’s agriculture industry.
Working with you
We work with our stakeholders, governments and the public to achieve our objectives.
We seek feedback through:
- public consultation
- industry forums
- consultative committees
- international delegations
- working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Discover how you can share your ideas.
Our business
To meet our objectives, we:
- provide advice to the Australian Government
- deliver programs
- administer legislation
We are a regulator. We administer laws relating to:
- managing biosecurity risks
- protecting the environment and biodiversity, such as assessing and approving activities that affect matters of national environmental significance
- certifying that livestock and other goods for export meet Australian export and importing country requirements
- protecting, conserving and enhancing the value of Commonwealth parks and gardens for the enjoyment of all Australians
- managing air quality product standards for small non-road non-diesel engines and regulating ozone-depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases
- prohibiting the importation of illegally logged timber and the processing of illegally logged domestic raw logs
- ensuring food imported into Australia complies with Australian food standards and public health and safety requirements
- rationalising primary industry levy and charge collection to improve efficiency and effectiveness
- conserving potable water resources by implementing the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme
- regulating activities in the Antarctic Treaty area
- managing waste, such as through regulating exports of hazardous waste and administering product stewardship schemes for e-waste, oil, tyres and the Australian Packaging Covenant
- regulating the trade of wildlife into and out of Australia.
Read more about our responsibilities and the laws we administer.