The offset rules for proponents (scheme participants), including developers and clearing applicants, set out the ways they can meet their offset obligation. The options are:
- retiring credits based on Like-for-like offset rules
- funding a biodiversity conservation action that benefits the threatened species, habitat or ecological community (and is listed in and meets the Ancillary rules)
- making a payment to the Biodiversity Conservation Fund calculated using the Biodiversity Conservation Fund Charge System.
Prior to 7 March 2025 if a proponent could demonstrate that they could not find like-for-like credits, they could be granted approval to offset using the variation rules. Amendments to the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 mean that from 7 March 2025 proponents can no longer be granted approval to use the variation rules. If a proponent has an approval to use the variation rules that was granted before 7 March 2025, they can continue to use variation rules.
For more information about the amendments to the Biodiversity Conservation Act please visit the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme reforms webpage.
Major mining projects can also commit to delivering mine site ecological rehabilitation.
Guidance on ecosystem credit retirement options for accredited assessors, proponents and consent authorities
The offset rules and ecosystem credits practice note provides information on credit retirement options. It covers like-for-like and variation rule options, and links to relevant resources. Note that the practice note does not reflect that proponents can no longer be granted approval to use the variation rules from 7 March 2025.