Australia's biological resources
Investing in research and development
Australia encourages investment in research and development of these resources. Some of the advantages Australia has to offer include:
- it is one of a few megadiverse regions in the world and has around 10 per cent of the world's species. Around 80 per cent of Australia's native species do not occur naturally anywhere else
- well-developed capability to undertake research and development activities
- strong legal and administrative systems to manage access to biological resources which provide legal certainty for business investment
Australia seeks to be a leader in the dynamic field of biodiscovery and, in partnership with Indigenous people, biotech companies, research scientists and managers of biodiversity, the Australian, State and Territory Governments will ensure practices and advances in biodiscovery are sustainable, inclusive and rewarding.
Accessing biological resources
Under Australia's Federal system, each government manages access to biological resources in its jurisdiction under its own laws.
In 2002 all governments endorsed the Nationally consistent approach for access to and the utilisation of Australia's native genetic and biochemical resources to promote consistency in the regulation and management of access to genetic resources.
Find out how to access biological resources on Commonwealth land, or select a state or territory from the map or links below for information on arrangements in the States and Territories.
- Australia
Select a region
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Western Australia
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Australian Capital Territory
- External Territories
* These maps are indicative only
International agreements
All Australian governments have accepted that access to biological resources in Australia should meet responsibilities under Article 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and utilise the Bonn Guidelines on Access to Genetic Resources and Fair and Equitable Sharing of the Benefits Arising out of their Utilisation.
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