Commercial use of native plants
In NSW, native plants are the property of the landholder. However, in the interests of protecting species diversity and ecological sustainability, the NPWS regulates the commercial use of protected and threatened native plant species. These consist of:
- species which are listed as protected plants in Schedule 13 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
- native plant species or populations which are listed as threatened in NSW
- native plants belonging to ecological communities which are listed as endangered in NSW.
There are no restrictions on:
- the non-commercial use of protected native plants that occur naturally or are cultivated on a person's property
- the commercial exploitation of species that are not listed as protected or threatened in NSW.
The NPWS is required to prepare management plans for protected native plants if the NPWS feels that a particular activity has the potential to adversely affect the conservation of a species or group of plants.
The NPWS is working on a range of management plans for different flora industries. A plan has been developed for the cut-flower industry, and other plans will be produced in the future regarding native seeds, bush tucker, and the commercial use of whole plants.
The plans aim to:
- implement ecologically sustainable harvest management practices for protected native plants
- meet Commonwealth requirements for regulation and monitoring of the commercial export of protected native plants.
Licences and management plans for particular industries
Cut-flower industry management plan
Download the management plan, licence application forms and other information relevant to growers and pickers of native plants.
Other flora industries - contact your local NPWS office
Licence application forms for other commercial uses of native plants are available from NPWS local offices. Get contact details for your nearest office.