In the ACT, native wildlife are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 2014 (the NC Act). Greater protection for both native plants and animals is provided through listing processes. Native species may receive additional protection through two mechanisms: special protection status (SPS) and inclusion on the Protected Native Species List.
Special protection status applies automatically to any native species that is:
a threatened native species under the Act,
a listed threatened species, or
a listed migratory species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).
Species with special protection status may have conservation plans or action plans prepared for them.
https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2025-299/
Separately, the Minister must establish a Protected Native Species List (this list), which identifies non‑threatened native species requiring additional protection within the ACT (for example, species that may be at risk in other jurisdictions, naturally rare in the ACT, data‑deficient, or facing pressure from trade or collection). The list must be divided into categories, including:
Restricted trade – species for which unrestricted trade could negatively impact wild populations. This may include taxa listed under legislation in another jurisdiction.
Rare – species that are rare in the ACT but are not threatened and do not have special protection status.
Data deficient – species for which there is insufficient information to assess eligibility for threatened status or other categories.
Any other category prescribed by regulation.
The Minister is responsible for developing the criteria and decision‑making processes for determining whether a species is to be included in a category. The criteria must focus solely on scientific matters and be prepared in consultation with the Scientific Committee. The Nature Conservation (Protected Native Species List) Criteria and Processes 2025) criteria is a disallowable instrument.
The criteria may be reviewed if the conservator or Scientific Committee considers them inadequate or inconsistent with changing national or international standards. If a review is requested, the Minister must consider the recommendation and either undertake a review or issue a notifiable refusal with reasons.
Ngunnawal names have been provided in consultation with the Winanggaay Ngunnawal Language Aboriginal Corporation © Winanggaay Ngunnawal Language Aboriginal Corporation.
