The National Reserve System is Australia's network of protected areas, conserving examples of our natural landscapes and native plants and animals for future generations. Based on a scientific framework, it is the nation's natural safety net against our biggest environmental challenges.
As at 30 June 2020, the reserve system includes 13,540 protected areas covering 19.75 per cent of the country - over 151.8 million hectares. It is made up of Commonwealth, state and territory reserves, Indigenous lands and protected areas run by non-profit conservation organisations, through to ecosystems protected by farmers on their private working properties.
In September 2020 the dedication of the Ngururrpa Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) and the Ngadju IPA added over 7.3 million hectares to the National Reserve System.
CAPAD 2020
About the National Reserve System
The National Reserve System is underpinned by a scientific framework.
Getting involved
Through the National Reserve System Programme (1996-2013), the Australian Government provided approximately $200 million in funding, to assist the purchase of 371 properties (around 10 million hectares) for addition to the National Reserve System. This Programme was not extended past 2013.