Effective date: 27 February 2026

Executive summary of update

This update to the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 primarily introduces several new species to the Endangered and Vulnerable lists within Schedule 1, reflecting ongoing scientific assessments of biodiversity status. While many changes are cosmetic (e.g., adding asterisks for Commonwealth listing or correcting punctuation), the addition of new species is a substantive change that expands the scope of protected biodiversity. The primary intent is to enhance the conservation framework by formally recognizing additional threatened species. The most significant practical consequence for operations is the expanded regulatory oversight and potential for increased compliance obligations related to these newly listed species, particularly for activities impacting their habitats.

Impacted parties

This update broadly impacts landholders, developers, public authorities, and environmental consultants whose activities may interact with the newly listed threatened species.

Change Analysis

1. New Endangered Plant Species Listing

What changed: Schedule 1, Part 2, Division 3 (Endangered species - Plants) has been updated with the addition of a new plant species:

• Pultenaea rubescens R.L.Barrett, Clugston & Jobson
• Diuris callitrophila D.L.Jones
  Why it matters: The formal listing of these species as endangered introduces new legal protections under the Act. Any activities (e.g., development, land clearing) that could harm these plants or their habitats will now be subject to stricter assessment and approval processes, including potential requirements for biodiversity offsets. This expands the geographical and ecological scope of areas requiring careful management to avoid contravening the Act.

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