Executive summary of update This update to the Fisheries Management (General) Regulation 2019, effective 27 February 2026, primarily clarifies and strengthens compliance obligations and defences related to fish possession and commercial fishing activities. The most critical change is the redefinition of the defence for possessing fish exceeding bag limits, introducing a more stringent evidentiary burden for purchasers, particularly regarding the lawfulness of the initial commercial taking.

Executive summary of update Effective date: 18 February 2026 This update introduces significant changes by expanding the powers of Work Health and Safety (WHS) entry permit holders to include access to digital work systems for investigating suspected contraventions. A new framework mandates the regulator to develop and publish guidelines for this digital access, with a phased application ensuring the power only commences once these guidelines are in place.

Executive summary of update Effective date: 18 February 2026 This update consolidates and modernises the Marine Estate Management Act 2014, primarily by incorporating amendments from various Bills and ensuring consistency with current legislative practices. Key changes include the formalisation of the Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel's role, enhanced clarity on the application of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to development within marine parks, and updated provisions for enforcement and administrative processes.

Executive summary of update This update introduces significant procedural reforms to the planning system, primarily through the Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Act 2025. The most critical change is the complete overhaul of the planning scheme amendment process for municipal councils, introducing a new mandatory authorisation framework under Part 3, Division 1AA.

Executive summary of update This update to the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 introduces significant changes primarily affecting land management, particularly within Kosciuszko National Park. Key amendments include the reclassification and excision of several land parcels from national parks and nature reserves for diverse purposes, such as defence, regional parks, and Aboriginal areas, often with new compensation requirements.

Executive summary of update This update introduces significant, temporary financial relief measures to stimulate investment in the offshore electricity sector. Key changes include substantial reductions in application fees for research, demonstration, and transmission licences for a 24-month period. The update also remits (waives) offshore electricity infrastructure levies for both existing and new feasibility, research, and transmission licences granted before mid-2027.

Executive summary of update This update introduces two significant changes. Firstly, it re-delegates determination functions for certain regionally significant development applications from Sydney district and regional planning panels to local councils, provided a local planning panel is constituted for that area. This shift is governed by a new ministerial instruction, altering the decision-making pathway for these projects.

Executive summary of update This update to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 introduces two significant changes effective from 1 January 2026. Firstly, it prevents the "double dipping" of environmental certificates by prohibiting the creation of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for electricity that has already been used to create a certificate under the new Future Made in Australia (Guarantee of Origin) Act 2024.

Executive summary of update This update, effective 1 January 2026, introduces a significantly strengthened enforcement and penalty framework under the Water Management Act 2000. The most critical change is the establishment of a new, comprehensive civil penalty regime (Chapter 7, Part 6), which runs parallel to existing criminal offences and introduces substantial monetary penalties. The update also grants expanded powers to the Minister and the Courts, including the ability to order the forfeiture of monetary benefits from related persons (Section 353FA), cancel licences for serious breaches (Section 353FB), and require financial assurances for environmental projects (Part 3B, Chapter 7).

Executive summary of update This update repeals and replaces the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 with the new 2025 Regulations. While much of the content is carried over, this is a significant legislative reset that introduces several substantive changes. Key updates include new transitional provisions in Part 20 to ensure continuity for matters under the old regulations, and increased permit application fees as detailed in Schedule 11.

Executive summary of update The Water Management (General) Regulation 2025 has been updated, with the current version effective from 12 December 2025. This update introduces significant changes, most notably the expansion of the definition of "prescribed access licence" under the water return flow rules. Previously, this definition was broad; it now specifically lists the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, various state and federal government bodies, and is restricted to water sources covered by the Murrumbidgee, Murray, and Lower Darling regulated river water sharing plans.

Executive summary of update This update introduces significant amendments to the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, substantially increasing the regulatory powers of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and elevating penalties for non-compliance. Key changes include the introduction of new enforcement tools such as Preliminary Investigation Notices and Recall Notices, allowing the EPA to act more proactively and decisively in response to environmental risks.

Executive summary of update This update introduces significant changes to the preparation of Infrastructure Investment Objectives Reports. A new, streamlined reporting pathway has been created specifically for firming infrastructure, exempting it from the more comprehensive standard reporting requirements. Concurrently, the regulation now mandates that the consumer trustee must incorporate commitments from the Commonwealth's Renewable Energy Transformation Agreement (RETA) and the outcomes of the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Tender 1 into its planning and reporting.

Executive summary of update This update introduces significant changes by broadening the scope of social infrastructure, refining energy system regulations, and establishing new development frameworks for specific land areas. Division 2 has been expanded from "Correctional centres" to "Justice and social support facilities", widening the types of facilities covered. A new Division 30 creates specific development pathways for the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.

Executive summary of update The 12 December 2025 update to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) 2021 is an administrative re-publication of the previous version dated 5 December 2025. A comprehensive comparison of the two versions reveals no substantive amendments. Legal rights, obligations, definitions, processes, and the content of all Schedules remain unchanged. The primary practical consequence is the confirmation that no operational or compliance adjustments are necessary in response to this specific update.

Executive summary of update This update introduces significant structural changes by establishing two new bodies: the Housing Delivery Authority and the Development Coordination Authority. These authorities are designed to streamline housing supply and improve cross-agency coordination for major projects. Key process changes include the removal of COVID-19-related extensions for consent lapsing periods and appeal timelines, reverting them to standard, shorter timeframes.

Executive summary of update This update to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 introduces several key changes, primarily through the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fairer for Families and Farmers and Other Measures) Act 2024 and the Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 1) Act 2024. The most significant change is the replacement of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) for reviewing decisions, which impacts the appeal process for national security risk assessments.

Executive Summary This update to the National Electricity (South Australia) Act 1996 introduces a significant new power for the South Australian Minister to create initial rules for credit support arrangements during Retailer of Last Resort (RoLR) events. Enacted through the National Energy Retail Law (Retailer of Last Resort) Amendment Act 2025, this change, effective 18 December 2025, establishes a fast-track mechanism under the new Section 90EH of the National Electricity Law.

Executive summary of update This update to the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 significantly strengthens the Environment Protection Authority's (EPA) regulatory and cost recovery capabilities. The EPA now has expanded powers to issue preliminary investigation notices under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, broadening its intervention scope. The definition of "statutory site audit" has been extended to include requirements from POEO Act instruments.

Executive summary of update This update to the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 introduces significant changes primarily affecting land management, particularly within Kosciuszko National Park. Key amendments include the reclassification and excision of several land parcels from national parks and nature reserves for diverse purposes, such as defence, regional parks, and Aboriginal areas, often with new compensation requirements.

Executive summary of update This update to the Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Regulation 2022 introduces explicit formulas for calculating load-based fees for assessable pollutants, which were previously undefined. It also clarifies the specific paragraph reference for land pollution in the Act's Dictionary, potentially altering the scope of prescribed matter. Additionally, the update includes future amendments to Schedule 10 definitions related to PFAS firefighting foam and updates to scheduled activities under the principal Act.

Executive summary of update This legislative update significantly expands environmental protection and enforcement in New South Wales, introducing new regulatory tools, broadening liability, and establishing advanced environmental management frameworks. Key changes include the introduction of preliminary investigation and product recall notices, extensive new waste management obligations (including for asbestos and FOGO waste), and enhanced executive liability for corporate environmental offences.

Executive summary of update This legislative update introduces significant new regulatory frameworks and expands existing powers to enhance electricity supply security, promote renewable energy, and improve network operations. Key changes include the establishment of three new energy security safeguard schemes (Energy Savings, Peak Demand Reduction, and Renewable Fuel) with associated targets, certificates, and penalties.

Executive summary of update This update represents a significant reform of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, primarily through the amendments introduced by the Environment Protection Reform Act 2025 (Act No. 68, 2025). Key changes include the establishment of two new independent bodies: Environment Protection Australia (EPA) and Environment Information Australia (EIA), which will centralise data management, compliance, and enforcement.

Executive summary of update This update significantly expands the jurisdiction of the Land and Environment Court, primarily by centralising enforcement proceedings related to water management and local government. The Court's Class 4 jurisdiction has been broadened to hear proceedings for civil penalty contraventions under the Water Management Act 2000 and to handle additional specific enforcement matters under that Act.

Executive summary of update This update introduces a significant new regulation-making power under the Act. The key change is the insertion of Section 9(3) and Section 9(4), which authorises the Governor to modify the National Electricity Rules as they apply in New South Wales. These modifications can designate certain network cost events, such as cost pass-throughs, as triggers for "strategic benefit payments".

Executive summary of update This update introduces significant changes to NSW's energy schemes, primarily by creating new compliance exemptions for energy storage and recalibrating future targets. A new exemption for "scheduled bidirectional units" (e.g., large-scale batteries) reduces compliance obligations under the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) and Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS). The update also drastically reduces the PDRS target for 2026-2027 from 7.5% to 0.5%.

Executive summary of update This update fundamentally overhauls the approval and delivery process for REZ network infrastructure projects, centralising significant authority with the infrastructure planner. The planner now assesses projects, appoints network operators, and recommends ministerial directions, a role previously held by the consumer trustee. A new framework for "access areas" is introduced, expanding the Act's scope beyond the initial renewable energy zones.

Executive summary of update This update introduces significant regulatory changes across three key areas. Firstly, it establishes new rules for solar-generated electricity, mandating that retailers and exempt sellers cannot charge customers for exported solar energy and must credit them at a rate no less than $0 per kilowatt hour. Secondly, it substantially increases the financial penalties for licence breaches and expands the regulatory powers of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), including the ability to institute proceedings under the National Electricity Law for specific rule breaches.

Executive summary of update This update formally opts New South Wales into the national Orderly Exit Management Framework for electricity retailers by introducing Sections 5B and 5C. The primary intent is to create a structured process for managing the failure of a retailer, enhancing market stability and protecting consumers. The most significant practical consequence for our operations is the introduction of a new "financial vehicle," to be appointed by the Minister, which will manage the costs of a retailer's exit.

Executive summary of update This update introduces a significant overhaul of the enforcement and penalty framework under the Water Management Act 2000. The primary change is the introduction of a parallel civil penalty regime, allowing for financial penalties to be pursued for contraventions without a criminal prosecution. Key changes include substantially increased penalties, expanded powers for authorised officers (including seizure and forfeiture of equipment), new cost recovery mechanisms for compliance actions, and new evidentiary rules allowing the use of satellite imagery in legal proceedings.

Executive summary of update The Offshore Electricity Infrastructure (Regulatory Levies) Act 2021 is a new piece of legislation that introduces a mandatory offshore electricity infrastructure levy. This levy is imposed on all holders of offshore electricity infrastructure licences and any person engaging in prescribed offshore infrastructure activities. The primary purpose of the Act is to establish a legal basis for cost recovery by the Commonwealth for its regulatory and compliance functions.

Executive summary of update This update formalises the Management Plan Guideline, transforming it from raw text into a structured, legally referenced document. The most critical changes include a significant increase in prescriptive detail regarding financial security calculations (Section 8.11), work health and safety (WHS) obligations (Section 8.7), and emergency management (Section 8.13). The primary intent is to clarify regulatory expectations and standardise submissions by aligning them with international standards like AS/ISO 31000:2018.