The Australian, state and territory governments share an objective of sustainable management of forests through integrating environmental, economic and community values and uses.
The Australian Government is working with the state and territory governments (that have primary responsibility for forest management) and the forest industries on developing and implementing national forest policy.
Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) have been negotiated between the Australian Government and the governments of New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania. RFAs are 20-year plans for the conservation and sustainable management of Australia’s native forests. They are designed to provide certainty for forest-based industries, forest-dependent communities and achieve conservation outcomes.
Australia's forest industries contribute $23.6 billion of economic turnover each year.
The government is assisting industry to expand Australia’s plantation estate, invest in local value adding to timber products, and deliver appropriate timber industry workforce training.