Biodiversity Offsets Scheme updates

The department regularly emails accredited assessors with Biodiversity Offsets Scheme, document and system updates and other information relevant to their work.

The department periodically sends email updates to accredited assessors. The content of those updates is available below.

Note: We regularly update support tools and documents, so some of the information in the bulletins may have been superseded. Please ensure you check the most recent information.

From January 2022, the Accredited Assessor (AA) and Local Government (LG) updates have merged into one overarching newsletter; the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Updates (BOS Updates). The BOS Updates provide accredited assessors, and local government shared information that is consistent and up to date with the latest improvements and advice on the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (the Scheme). We aim to improve how we communicate with our partners to help support the delivery of the Scheme. Your feedback on how we can improve is encouraged. Please submit your feedback with our Your feedback: BOS Updates Newsletter form (3 minutes).

If you would like to update your details, be added to our BOS Updates distribution list, or forward this to a colleague, please sign up to our monthly BOS Update newsletters. A list of all our previous AA and LG updates can be viewed on Accredited Assessor Updates and Local Government Updates.

Recent updates

BOS Update No.12 – 31 January 2023 (PDF 167KB)

  • Fast-tracking the supply of biodiversity credits
  • New Practice Note: Offset rules and ecosystem credits
  • High volume of scheme credit transfer and retirement applications
  • BCF Charge System Price Estimation Service to commence shortly
  • Upcoming Webinars
    • Transitional arrangements for revised PCTs and Version 1.2 benchmarks
    • Improving delivery of Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements
  • Updated Guidance for local government
  • Updated scheme credit retirement form published
  • Update to BAM-C – Version 1.2 benchmarks
  • IPART Terms of Reference finalised
  • Release notes: Deployment of V1.2 Benchmarks in the BAM C (PDF 792KB)

BOS Update No.11 – 16 December 2022 (PDF 200KB)

  • BOS Help Desk – availability over Christmas and the new year
  • Major update to the BAM-Calculator in February 2023 to include revised PCTs and V1.2 benchmarks
  • New Platform to manage the BOS Help Desk
  • New guidance for BAM Appendix D – Planted Native Vegetation Streamlined Assessment
  • Improvements to credits wanted listings in BOAMs
  • Assurance check gives BCF Charge System a thumbs up
  • The scheme bushfire exemption extension
  • New guidance for determining native vegetation land categorisation in the scheme
  • Updated BAM-C and TBDC
  • Request SAII data from the department
  • Biodiversity Credits Supply Fund
  • Fast-tracking the supply of biodiversity credits
  • Happy holidays
  • Improvements to credit wanted listings (PDF 100KB)
  • Release Notes BAM-C December 2022 (PDF 245KB)

BOS Update No. 10 – 15 November 2022 (PDF 169KB)

  • Assuming presence of species might not always be the most cost-effective option for proponents
  • New Biodiversity Conservation Fund (BCF) Charge System has commenced
  • Updated BAM-C, TBDC and SAII lists
  • Book in for Accredited Assessor Training
  • A simpler BSA application form
  • Credit Supply Fund now in operation
  • IPART is seeking feedback on its role monitoring the biodiversity credits market
  • Draft Native Vegetation Regulatory map release
  • Update to advice on unlawful clearing
  • Reminder to submit BOS Credit transfers and retirements applications as soon as possible
  • New BOS Credit Ownership report
  • Credit Holding list view disabled in BOAMS
  • Linking corporation landholder case parties in BOAMS
  • BOAMS – DA Number/Major Projects ID field can now be edited by Accredited Assessors
  • Threatened reptiles – Biodiversity Assessment Method survey guide published
  • Reminder that BAM Support Mailbox has been replaced by BOS Help Desk
  • Biodiversity Offsets Scheme: Release Notes: October 2022 (PDF 1.3MB)
  • Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement application form (PDF 1.0MB)

BOS Update No. 9 – 30 September 2022 (PDF 169KB)

  • New Biodiversity Conservation Fund (BCF) Charge System commences on 17 October 2022
  • Credits Supply Taskforce and Fund Update
  • Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) Ecological Monitoring Module field training days
  • Biodiversity Values Map update
  • Update: Revised eastern NSW PCTs in the Threatened Biodiversity Database Collection (TBDC)
  • Biodiversity Offsets Scheme video series
  • When do Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) waivers apply?

BOS Update No. 8 – 13 September 2022 (PDF 221KB)

  • Audit Office report on the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme
  • Making it easier for landholders to set up a Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement (BSA)
  • In-demand credits list for landholders
  • Credit Supply Taskforce seeking accredited assessors
  • Accredited assessors training
  • Annual update to the regent honeyeater important habitat map
  • NSW Natural Capital Programs factsheet
  • Release of the Aligning Biodiversity Assessments factsheet
  • Updated High Threat Weeds list
  • Sell credits to the BCT – Tender closes 28 September 2022
  • New subdivision and threshold videos
  • Have your say on a National Biodiversity Market
  • September Top Tip: Staying up to date in the accredited assessor public register

BOS Update No. 7 – 15 August 2022 (PDF 163KB)

  • Initiatives to increase credits supply and market participation
  • Credits Supply Taskforce – now in operation
  • Demand Expressions of Interest (EOI)
  • Stewardship Expressions of Interest (EOI)
  • New discount rate for Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements (BSAs) – effective Monday 15 August
  • Revised Plant Community Types (PCTs) for eastern NSW are not yet operational in BAM
  • Updated High Threat Weeds list
  • Register for BOS Support Webinar #29
  • New features in BMAT tool
  • Advice for calculating the area clearing threshold in partially exotic groundcover
  • August Top Tip: Accessing BAM-C assessments for Government reviewers

BOS Update No. 6 – 28 July 2022 (PDF 163KB)

  • Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Support August Webinar
  • BioNet Threatened Biodiversity Data Collection (TBDC) – advice for targeted surveys and mapping species polygons
  • Sell credits to the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) – Tender opens 7 September
  • Get involved in the Accredited Assessor Forum
  • Changes to Biodiversity Offsets and Agreement Management System (BOAMS) Organisation (Business) Accounts
  • Biodiversity Conservation Trust update on Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement (BSA) applications

BOS Updates No. 5 - 27 June 2022 (PDF 275 KB)

  • Boost to environmental conservation through Biodiversity Credits Supply Fund 
  • New credit pricing tools
  • Assumed presence
  • BAM-C, TBDC, and SAII list to be updated 
  • The Plant Community Type to Offset Trading Group lookup tool
  • Offset Trading Group remediation of data published on public registers
  • Eastern NSW PCT data release
  • New BAM Survey Guide available – Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
  • Update to BAM Operational Manual – Stage 1
  • Renewal training for accredited assessors
  • Upcoming Ecological Monitoring Module field training days
  • Emailing ZIP files to the department
  • Fee Update
  • Biodiversity Conservation Trust update on BSA applications

BOS Updates No. 4 - 16 May 2022 (PDF 111KB)

  • Upcoming BOS Support Webinar 28 
  • New Local Government Resource Manual 
  • BARs must be certified and contain a finalised credit report
  • New fact sheet on the Biodiversity Values Map
  • BCT update on BSA applications 

BOS Updates No. 3 – 12 April 2022 (PDF 223KB)

Demand information

  • Transport for NSW releases forward biodiversity credit demand estimates

Training for local government and assessors

  • Free Local Government training sponsorship
  • Renewal training for accredited assessors

New resources

  • Release of Biodiversity Development Assessment Report template
  • New information video on the Biodiversity Assessment Method
  • New biodiversity certification factsheets for landholders and local government
  • New and updated forms for credit transfers and retirements

Biodiversity Values Map

  • Biodiversity Values Map Update Version 13
  • Fact Sheets and guides on the Biodiversity Values Map

Update on the BOS Help Desk

Minor correction to legislative reference in BOS Update No 1

BOS Updates No. 2 – 14 March 2022 (PDF 176KB)

  • New BOS Help Desk and webinars
  • BCF Charge System webinar
  • Free training for local government
  • EOI to become a BOS BAM Trainer
  • Accredited assessors audit report and webinar
  • New accredited assessor consultation forum
  • New case study: The Office of Strategic Lands
  • Active Restoration under the Biodiversity Offset Scheme – New Research Project
  • BCT Statewide Biodiversity Credit Tender
  • Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessment Report template – call for feedback
  • BSA Ecological Monitoring Module (EMM)
  • BSA livestock grazing guidelines –update
  • BSA Applications

BOS Updates No. 1 – 9 February 2022 (PDF 207KB)

  • New name, now Department of Planning and Environment (DPE)
  • Quick recap: December 2021 updates
  • BCT Statistics
  • Indicative Demand Analysis
  • Quick guide to find biodiversity credits to offset your credit obligation
  • Upcoming BOS Support Webinar
  • BOS now applies to complying development on non-rural land above the BOS threshold
  • Public display of SAII entities

For Accredited Assessors

For Local Government

  • Sponsorship opportunity for local government BOS training

BAM Assessor update 52 – 20 December 2021 (PDF 531KB)

  • BAM Support Mailbox: Christmas shutdown
  • BAM Calculator updates (PDF 1.5MB)
  • Vegetation SEPP amendments
  • Assessor training update
  • Purchasing access to BOS and BAM eLearning modules
  • Updating your contact details on the public register
  • Improvements to the BOS
  • Hearings for the Parliamentary Inquiry
  • Call out for case studies
  • Opportunities to sell credits to the Biodiversity Conservation Trust
  • BCT Statistics
  • Happy Holidays

BAM Assessor update 51 – 29 October 2021 (PDF 243KB)

  • Renewal reminder for accreditation for some Assessors
  • Biodiversity Values Map Update V.12
  • BOS Support Webinar No 24 – Recording and Q&A
  • Changes to Serious and Irreversible Impacts list incorporated into June update of the BAM-Calculator
  • Manageable High Threat Weeds – Practice Note
  • Indigofera efoliata rediscovered
  • Biodiversity Assessment Method – Transitional arrangements ended 22 October
  • System updates
  • BCT update

BAM Assessor Update 50 – 2 September 2021 (PDF 103KB)

  • Impact on BAM Support Mailbox response times
  • How should vegetation clearing for bushfire protection be considered under Part 7 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016?
  • Plains-wanderer Important Habitat Map
  • General Notes section of the TBDC
  • SAII BAM 2020 data
  • BAM Transitional arrangements
  • System update
  • BSA sites: calculating interim ecological response targets
  • Information sessions on BSA products
  • BCT update

BAM Assessor Update 49 – 26 July 2021 (PDF 130KB)

  • Replacement of the Biodiversity Offsets Payment Calculator – continued consultation
  • BAM Assessor accreditation renewal, CPD and refresher training
  • Subscribe to SEED datasets
  • Check BAM-Calculator reports are consistent with Biodiversity Assessment Reports
  • Videos explain the BOS in a nutshell
  • System Update
  • Information sessions about Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements
  • BCT Update

BAM Assessor Update 48 – 3 June 2021

BAM Assessor Update 47 – 29 April 2021 (PDF 122KB)

  • New Plant Community Types are displaying in the BioNet Threatened Biodiversity Database Collection
  • Koala SEPP questions and answers
  • Scheduled BAM data import is on hold
  • System updates
  • BCT update

BAM Assessor Update 46 – 9 April 2021 (PDF 119KB)

  • Launch of the SEED Layer Intersection Tool
  • Using BioNet for BAM assessments
  • BAM Transitional arrangements end soon for some applications
  • Consultation on changes to the BOS open until 19 April
  • Fire Extent and Severity Mapping
  • System updates
  • BCT update

BAM Assessor Update 45 – 11 March 2021 (PDF 54KB)

  • Deferral of January update to the BOPC
  • Reminder: Transitional Arrangements for BARs prepared using BAM 2017
  • New guidance for assessing habitat suitability
  • BOS support webinars
  • Planned update to threatened species data in BAM-C on 29 April
  • BCT update

BAM Assessor Update 44 – 11 February 2021 (PDF 185KB)

BAM Assessor Update 43 – 23 December 2020 (PDF 154KB)

BAM Assessor Update 42 – 7 December 2020 (PDF 58KB)

  • BAM Support mailbox Christmas close down 2020-21
  • BOS Bushfire exemption
  • Koala SEPP 2020
  • BOS Support Webinar Q&A
  • BOS Area Threshold
  • BV Map update
  • Update on creating business accounts in BOAMS
  • BCT update

BAM Assessor Update 41 – 5 November 2020 (PDF 53KB)

BAM Assessor Update Special – 19 October 2020 (PDF 81KB)

BAM Assessor Update 40 – 12 October 2020 (PDF 66KB)

  • Swift Parrot important area map now available
  • Video tutorials on supply and extraction of data within BioNet
  • Very small areas rounding to zero
  • Two new power queries (species and populations) for PCT associations
  • Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool
  • BAM Assessor training update
  • Adding a corporate landholder as a case party (PDF 104KB)
  • Complaints and feedback management policy
  • Have your say – Accredited Assessor draft CPD guideline
  • BCT update

BAM Assessor Update 39 – 2 September 2020 (PDF 56KB)

BAM Assessor Update 38 – 5 August 2020 (PDF 133KB)

BAM Assessor Update 37 – 25 June 2020 (PDF 115KB)

  • Authority to sign and proof of identity practice guideline
  • Test of significance – rebuilding from bushfire
  • Biodiversity Offsets Scheme fees 2020–21
  • Update to Lot and DP display in BOAMS
  • BOS Support Webinar: The Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool
  • Display of Equivalent BAM credits on BOS public register (supply)
  • Systems update
  • BCT update

BAM Assessor Update 36 – 1 June 2020 (PDF 155KB)

  • Draft BAM Accredited Assessors Complaint and Feedback Policy
  • Extension of the accreditation term for assessors accredited 2017–18 financial year
  • Biodiversity Values Map Update Version 10
  • Application of new or revised survey guidelines
  • Upcoming webinar
  • Systems update
  • BCT update

BAM Assessor Update 35 – 28 April 2020 (PDF 139KB)

  • Release Notes – regular data update in BAM-C (PDF 1.9MB)
  • Regent honeyeater important areas – update
  • Threatened Plants Survey Guide – revised
  • Bilateral Agreement
  • Webinar – Applying for an assessment of reasonable equivalence
  • Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Credits transfer/retire form
  • Systems update
  • Biodiversity Conservation Trust update

BAM Assessor Update 34 – 2 April 2020 (PDF 149KB)

BAM Assessor Update 33 – 17 March 2020 (PDF 870KB)

  • Important area maps now available
  • Geographical limitations
  • Webinar – Guidelines for applying the BAM at severely burnt sites (a guide to trouble shooting webinar technical issues)
  • Types of Land on the Biodiversity Values Map
  • Invitation – PlantNET and NSW Flora Online user survey
  • Systems information and updates

BAM Assessor Update 32 – 26 February 2020 (PDF 190KB)

  • Publication of Guideline for Assessing Severely Burnt Sites
  • Upcoming BAM Support webinar – Applying the BAM to severely burnt sites
  • Biodiversity Values Map – Version 9
  • Systems update
  • 1st Audit of Accredited Assessors is underway

BAM Assessor Update 31 – 11 February 2020 (PDF 66KB)

  • Upcoming Webinar – Important Mapped Areas and landholder initiated review of the Biodiversity Values Map – 19 February 2020
  • Commencement of first audit of Accredited Assessors
  • Updated Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool User Guide
  • Area Clearing Threshold Technical Explanation
  • Systems update – BAM-C (Code 1 error) and Biodiversity Offsets and Agreements Management System
  • Biodiversity Assessment Method support mailbox

BAM Assessor Update – Number 30 – 24 January 2020 (PDF 89KB)

  • Biodiversity Assessment Method Support Mailbox
  • Commencement of 1st Audit of Accredited Assessors
  • Fourteen day biodiversity assessment reports submittal period
  • Assessment of recently burnt sites
  • Drought affected vegetation condition benchmarks for the Brigalow Belt South bioregion
  • Upcoming BAM Support webinars

BAM Assessor Update 29 – 23 January 2020 (PDF 47KB)

  • Latest enhancements to BioNet systems (Release 3.2.3)

BAM Assessor Update 28 – 17 December 2019 (PDF 60KB)

  • Reminder regarding Christmas shutdown
  • BAM Support Webinar Series
  • Assessment of Rhodamnia rubescens and Rhodomyrtus psidioides
  • In-draft information expected for publication in early 2020

BAM Assessor Update 27 – 28 November 2019 (PDF 107KB) 

  • BDAR waiver
  • Biodiversity Values Map V8
  • Southern Lowland Wet Sclerophyll Forests Keith class issue
  • Webinar 5 December 2019
  • BAM support mailbox Christmas close down

BAM Assessor Update 26 – 6 November 2019 (PDF 51KB)

  • Biodiversity Offsets Payment Calculator and launch of a Spot Price Index
  • BAM Support Webinar held Wednesday 6 November – Biodiversity Offsets Payment Calculator and Spot Price Index

BAM Assessor Update 25 – 28 October 2019 (PDF 59KB)

  • Commencement of the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme for Local Development in Western Sydney

BAM Assessor Update Number 24 – 21 October 2019 (PDF 73KB)

  • Transitional periods for Biodiversity Offset Scheme produces and Biodiversity Assessment Reports.
  • Biodiversity Assessment Method support webinars for Accredited Assessors.
  • Launch of Vegetation Condition Benchmarks webpages.

BAM Assessor Update Number 23 – 16 September 2019 (PDF 47KB)

BAM Assessor Update Number 22 – 6 September 2019 (PDF 140KB)

  • Planned update of biodiversity data referenced by the BAM Calculator 27 September 2019
  • Revised list of species listed as potential serious and irreversible impacts (SAII) species
  • Application of the Biodiversity Assessment Method for developments on Category 1 land
  • Replacement of the LMBC Service Centre
  • Introducing the BAM support webinar series

BAM Assessor Update Number 21 – 28 August 2019 (PDF 49KB)

  • Biodiversity Values Map Version 7 Update
  • Timing for future BV Map Updates
  • How are development proposals that were being triggered into the BOS by the BV Map and the mapped area is removed to be dealt with?

BAM Assessor Update Number 20 – 12 August 2019 (PDF 194KB)

  • Planned update of biodiversity data referenced by the BAM Calculator 27 September 2019
  • Biodiversity risk weighting for TECs and PCTs
  • Correction to advice provided in update 19 – Removing candidate/predicted species from lists generated by BAM-C 

BAM Assessor Update Number 19 – 22 July 2019 (PDF 122KB)

  • Improving BAM support – opportunity for your input
  • Amending offset obligations for approved DA's or submitted applications
  • Removing candidate/predicted species from lists generated by BAM-C

BAM Assessor Update Number 18 – 4 July 2019 (PDF 128KB)

BAM Assessor Update Number 17 – 18 June 2019 (PDF 40KB)

  • Fee changes 2019–2020

BAM Assessor Update Number 16 – 29 May 2019 (PDF 190KB)

  • Biodiversity Values Map Version 6 Update
  • Rhodamnia rubescens in BAM-Calculator
  • Update on the savings and transition arrangements for Biobanking
  • Amendment to Assessor Up-date 15
  • Biodiversity Assessment Method Calculator availability

BAM Assessor Update Number 15 – 16 May 2019 (PDF 127KB)

  • Differences between information in the Threatened Biodiversity Data Collection (TBDC) in BioNet and the BAM Calculator
  • Reuse of Biobanking Assessment Method/Framework for Biodiversity Assessment data in BAM
  • Streamlined assessments and entities at risk of a serious and irreversible impact (SAII)
  • Serious and irreversible impacts must be considered for impacts on TEC’s below the offset threshold
  • The role of the consent authority in assessing a BDAR

BAM Assessor Update Number 14 – 28 February 2019 (PDF 122KB)

  • Biodiversity Offset Scheme Public Registers
  • Guidance on credit equivalence
  • Updated Total Fund Deposit calculator

BAM Assessor Update Number 13 – 28 February 2019 (PDF 42KB)

  • Changes to the areas on the BV Map
  • Enhancements to the BMAT Tool

BAM Assessor Update Number 12– 8 February 2019 (PDF 45KB)

  • Update to the Biodiversity Values Map - Expiry of 90 days for areas added in Version 3 Update

BAM Assessor Update Number 11– 18 January 2019 (PDF 169KB)

  • Update on the Assessment Bilateral Agreement
  • BAM-C update
  • Guidance on seeking concurrence for a reduced offset obligation
  • Coming up

BAM Assessor Update Number 10– 21 December 2018 (PDF 69KB)

  • Updates to the Biodiversity Values Map - December 2018

BAM Assessor Update Number 9 – 3 December 2018 (PDF 159KB)

  • How does the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 interact with SEPP 44?
  • Three useful tips for using BOAMS 
  • What to do if no survey month is specified in BAM-C for a flora species
  • Data differences between BAM-C and BioNet
  • Local Government FAQs webpage

BAM Assessor Update Number 8 – 21 November 2018 (PDF 232KB)

  • Western Sydney interim designated areas - extended for 12 months
  • Biodiversity offsets scheme commencing for local development for former IDA areas 

BAM Assessor Update Number 7 – 8 November 2018 (PDF 155KB)

  • Changes to the Biodiversity Values Map

BAM Assessor Update Number 6 – 5 November 2018 (PDF 105KB)

  • CPI Increase to fees
  • Assessor Forums
  • Bat survey guidelines
  • Varying survey time for species credit species

BAM Assessor Update Number 5 – 22 October 2018 (PDF 50KB)

  • Total fund deposit – discount rate

BAM Assessor Update Number 4 – 15 August 2018 (PDF 32KB)

  • Reasonable credit equivalence
  • Accredited Assessor Forums

BAM Assessor Update Number 3 – 6 August 2018 (PDF 160KB)

  • Paddock tree module in BAM Calculator
  • Upcoming assessor forums in Sydney and Newcastle
  • Update to Biodiversity Offset Payment Calculator
  • Updated high threat weed list
  • Assessing development impacts on Category 1 land and the Biodiversity Offset Scheme
  • Threatened Species Test of Significance Guidelines
  • Submitting Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports

BAM Assessor Update Number 2 – 8 July 2018 (PDF 116KB)

  • Benchmarks for Plant Community Types
  • Changes to the Biobanking Web pages
  • Fees for the Biodiversity Conservation Scheme 
  • Threatened bat survey guide

BAM Assessor Update Number 1 - 31 May 2018 (PDF 52KB)

  • Publication of Stage 1 of the Operational Manual
  • Advice on pricing credits for BSA sites
  • Updates to the BAM Credit Calculator