Before you process an Australian grown raw log, you need to understand your legal responsibilities.
Illegally logged timber
It is a criminal offence to process an Australian grown log that has been illegally harvested.
If you believe the log may have been illegally harvested, you should not process it.
If you do, and the log has been illegally harvested, you could face significant financial penalties and even prison time.
Due diligence
Before you process an Australian grown raw log, you need to actively manage the risk that the log has been illegally harvested. This process is called ‘due diligence’.
If you fail to complete your due diligence before processing the log, you could face significant financial penalties.
Find out how to do due diligence.
Processing raw logs
Under the illegal logging laws, processing includes activities such as turning raw logs into:
- woodchips
- sawnlogs
- pulp
- other timber products
Preparation activities at the harvest site are not considered processing. These include felling, delimbing, and preparing logs for transport.
Reporting illegal timber
We are always interested in hearing about potential illegal timber sources. If you have information about anyone dealing in illegally logged timber, you can call us on 1800 803 006 for a confidential discussion or via our online form: Report Illegal Logging.
Resources
See a range of resources to help with due diligence.
Questions and answers
Yes. While the document can be used to support your due diligence assessment, it does not satisfy your due diligence obligations. You still need to undertake all of the steps outlined on due diligence for processors.
Yes. Illegal logging can occur in any country. While there are only isolated instances of illegal logging in Australia, Australia is not immune. You must still do due diligence.
No. If the product is in Australia and has already been processed, you are not required to undertake due diligence.
Get updates
To receive updates, guidance, and information about upcoming events, subscribe to our illegal logging mailing list.
Illegal logging reporting
Call 1800 803 006
See Report Illegal Logging
Email Operational Intelligence and Coordination Branch