Nature Repair Market Meets EPBC Offsets: New Opportunity from July 2026
From 1 July 2026
The framework is expected to allow some Nature Repair Market projects to be used toward EPBC Act offset obligations.
Australia’s Nature Repair Market officially opened in March 2025, creating a framework for landholders to generate tradeable biodiversity certificates by undertaking environmental restoration projects. However, uptake has been slow - as of early 2026, there is only one registered project and one approved methodology under the scheme.
That is expected to change. From 1 July 2026, the framework is expected to allow some Nature Repair Market (NRM) projects to be used toward offset obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Whether a particular certificate can be used for an offset is method-dependent, and it should be confirmed against the current method, approval pathway and project circumstances before you rely on it. This regulatory linkage, outlined by Norton Rose Fulbright, is anticipated to be a major catalyst for project registrations and investment.
What This Means for Queensland Landholders
Queensland has vast areas of degraded agricultural land - former grazing country, old cropping land, and properties affected by historical clearing. Under the Nature Repair Market, landholders who commit to restoring native vegetation, improving habitat connectivity, or enhancing biodiversity values on these properties can generate biodiversity certificates. These certificates may then be purchased by developers who need to satisfy EPBC Act offset conditions.
This creates a genuine dual opportunity. Landholders can receive income from biodiversity certificates while contributing to landscape-scale ecological restoration. Developers, meanwhile, gain access to a broader pool of offset options - potentially reducing costs and timeframes compared to traditional offset arrangements.
How NRM Projects Could Be Used Toward EPBC Offsets
Under current EPBC Act offset policy, proponents must demonstrate that offsets deliver a conservation gain for the protected matter being impacted. The intended integration with the Nature Repair Market is that registered NRM projects meeting the relevant method criteria could be accepted as valid offsets. If finalised as proposed, this would streamline the offset approval process and provide greater certainty for both developers and landholders.
The Clean Energy Regulator, which administers the NRM scheme, is working with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to establish the detailed rules for this integration. Developers and landholders should check current requirements as these arrangements are finalised.
What an Ecologist Does in This Process
Ecological expertise is central to every stage of a Nature Repair Market project:
A qualified ecologist conducts a thorough assessment of existing vegetation, habitat values, and species presence on the property. This establishes the ecological starting point against which future gains are measured.
The ecologist helps design restoration activities - species selection, planting layouts, weed management strategies, and habitat enhancement measures - tailored to the site’s ecological context and the requirements of the approved NRM methodology.
Ongoing ecological monitoring is required to verify genuine biodiversity improvements. This typically involves periodic BioCondition assessments, fauna surveys, and vegetation condition reporting.
Is Your Property Suitable?
Properties with degraded land that retains potential for ecological restoration may be well-suited to the Nature Repair Market. This includes land adjacent to existing remnant vegetation, properties within wildlife corridors, and areas supporting threatened species habitat. Our team can assess your property’s suitability and help you understand the potential returns.
| Well-suited properties include | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Degraded land with restoration potential | Retains the capacity to deliver measurable biodiversity gains over time |
| Land adjacent to existing remnant vegetation | Supports habitat connectivity and landscape-scale restoration |
| Properties within wildlife corridors | Enhances movement and connectivity for native fauna |
| Areas supporting threatened species habitat | Aligns with conservation gain expectations for protected matters |
We provide specialist advice across the full scope of this opportunity, including Nature Repair Market project development, carbon credits and ACCUs, biodiversity offset strategies, and BioCondition assessments.
Need advice on how these changes affect your project? Request a quote or call (07) 3018 7538.