Marine Protected Areas

Commonwealth Marine Protected Areas Program

The Commonwealth Government's Marine Protected Areas Program entails:

1. Managing an estate of Commonwealth marine protected areas
2. Providing national leadership and coordination in the establishment of the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas

The Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Water Resources sets the policy direction and budget of the Program.

The Director of National Parks or a nominated delegate administers, manages and controls Commonwealth reserves.

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts carries out the directives of the Minister and Director by implementing the Commonwealth Marine Protected Areas Program, including relevant provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and Regulations. Read more about the Marine Protected Area legal framework