Model access and benefit-sharing agreements
If you wish to obtain access to biological resources for commercial or potentially commercial purposes in a Commonwealth area, you will need to enter into a benefit-sharing agreement with the access provider. Access providers are specified by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 . In most cases, this is likely to be the Commonwealth, represented by the Genetic Resource Management Section. We can assist you to identify the Access Provider(s) relevant to your proposed research.
The Commonwealth has developed two model benefit-sharing agreements:
- Model Benefit-sharing Agreement - Commonwealth and Access Party (Word - 453 KB)
- This model agreement must be used as the basis of any agreement regarding biological resources taken from Commonwealth areas. A copy of the Agreement must be attached to the permit application.
- Model Benefit-sharing Agreement - Access Provider and Access Party (Word - 303 KB)
- This model agreement has been developed as a guide to inform negotiation of agreements where the Commonwealth is not the access provider.
These model agreements have been developed in consultation with research and industry stakeholders, and in accordance with the principles outlined in the Nationally consistent approach for access to and the utilisation of Australia's genetic and biochemical resources. Through these agreements, the Commonwealth is meeting its obligations for access and benefit sharing under the Convention on Biological Diversity (Article 15).