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Genetic Resources Information Database

Permits for Access to Biological Resources in Commonwealth Areas

Welcome to the Australian Government Genetic Resources Information Database (GRID).

The database allows you to make online applications for permits for access to biological resources in Commonwealth areas, as well as browse existing permit applications and collected samples. It also allows for electronic verification and evidence of legal compliance for genetic resources collected from Australian Government (Commonwealth) areas.

If you wish to obtain biological resources from a Commonwealth area for the purpose of research and development on any genetic resources, or biochemical compounds, comprising or contained in the biological resources, you will need to obtain a permit under Part 8A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000.

Permits for access to biological resources are available for either commercial/potentially commercial, or non-commercial purposes. For detailed information on what you need to include in your permit application, see:

• Permit applications for commercial/potentially commercial purpose
• Permit applications for non-commercial purpose

User registration

To apply for a permit you must be registered as a user. To access the database, choose from the following options:

• New User
• Existing User
• Forgot your password?

Before your on-line application can be processed

In addition to your on-line application, you must provide:

1. copies of any relevant Benefit Sharing Agreement (BSA) or Statutory declaration (if the permit is sought for non-commercial purposes)
2. a completed Declaration and Payment form.

Interactive map

The database provides links to an interactive map that can generate a report of relevant information for particular collection locations. It provides information that can help determine whether collection from a particular location would be in a Commonwealth area and subject to the regulations.

If the location of your proposed research is not in a Commonwealth area, you should contact relevant Authorities in that State or Territory.

Browse the record of permits

The database is a publicly accessible document and can be browsed for information on permits that have been issued and samples that have been collected under those permits. Browse the database.

Evidence of prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms

While protecting the confidentiality of permit holders, the database provides a publicly accessible means to verify details related to legal provenance of genetic resources from Commonwealth areas.

The database allows public access to evidence that genetic resources referred to were obtained in accordance with the requirements of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Regulations 2000. This information provides evidence of prior informed consent.

Information is also available on the database on associated benefit-sharing agreements, providing evidence of mutually agreed terms.

More information

For more information regarding the requirements to obtain a permit to obtain biological resources from a Commonwealth area for the purpose of research and development, see the guide to understanding the new regulations:

• Genetic Resources Management in Commonwealth Areas – Sustainable Access > Shared Benefits

What is a Commonwealth Area?

Commonwealth areas include:

• land owned by the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth agency (including land owned in Norfolk Island) and airspace over the land;
• an area of land held under lease by the Commonwealth or in a Commonwealth agency (including an area held under lease on Norfolk Island, Kakadu National Park, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and Booderee National Park) and airspace over the land;
• land in:
  • an external Territory (except Norfolk Island); or
  • the Jervis Bay Territory

  and airspace over the land;

• the continental shelf, and the waters and airspace over the continental shelf;
• the waters of the exclusive economic zone, the seabed under those waters and the airspace above those waters; or
• any other area of land, sea or seabed that is included in a Commonwealth reserve.

For access to biological resources in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, please contact the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority at http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/permits/.

Note: Territory Land in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is not a Commonwealth area. Coastal waters of Australian States and the Northern Territory are not Commonwealth areas.

What are biological resources?

Biological resources include genetic resources, organisms, parts of organisms, populations and any other biotic component of an ecosystem with actual or potential use or value for humanity.