Wetlands of international importance (Ramsar wetlands)

The EPBC Act enhances the management and protection of Australia's Ramsar wetlands. A 'declared Ramsar wetland' is an area that has been designated under Article 2 of the Ramsar Convention or declared by the Minister to be a declared Ramsar wetland under the EPBC Act.

The EPBC Act also establishes a process for identifying Ramsar wetlands and encourages best practice management through nationally consistent management principles.

• Australian Ramsar wetlands
• Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
• Australian wetlands database

Protecting Ramsar wetlands

Ramsar wetlands are recognised as a matter of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act. Consequently, an action that has, will have, or is likely to have, a significant impact on the ecological character of a Ramsar wetland must be referred to the Minister and undergo an environmental assessment and approval process.

• Assessment and approval process
• Protected matters search tool — use the tool to find wetlands in your area of interest
• Significant impact guidelines — matters of national environmental significance

See also

• Migratory species