Australia
New Zealand Australia’s reformed illegal logging legislation is in effect as of 3 March 2025. The reformed legislation includes the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Act 2024 (Amendment Act) and the Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024 (the Rules).
The Amendment Act amends the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 (the Act), and the Rules replace the Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012 (the Regulation).
Key Changes to the Legislation
- The Amendment Act allows the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to:
- Use timber identification technologies to verify species and origin claims on timber products.
- Address non-compliance in more ways to strengthen enforcement.
- Publish information, including anonymous timber testing results and details of contraventions.
- Perform more efficient and effective compliance audits.
Updates to Due Diligence Requirements
The Amendment Act also enables the replacement of the Regulation with the Rules, which introduce changes to existing due diligence requirements for importers and processors.
Resources and Further Information
Details regarding due diligence obligations can be found in the Your Responsibilities Factsheets and the Due Diligence Toolkit, which will be available on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s website from 3 March 2025.
For more information and guidance materials, visit the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s website: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
