Stewardship Support Program

What support will the department provide to landholders?

The government is making it easier and faster for landholders to enter into a biodiversity stewardship agreement, including by:

• helping to identify whether landholders have in-demand biodiversity credits in their region
• assisting in preparing documentation and biodiversity assessment
• streamlining the process to enter into a biodiversity stewardship agreement
• identifying opportunities to sell biodiversity credits through the Biodiversity Credits Supply Fund.

Responsibility for biodiversity stewardship agreements has moved from the Biodiversity Conservation Trust to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

How much will it cost to apply through the Stewardship Support Program, and do I need to commit to a biodiversity stewardship agreement?

There is no cost, and it does not create any obligation or require you to proceed with a biodiversity stewardship agreement.

If you enter into a biodiversity stewardship agreement, it is registered on the land title. We can provide you with a biodiversity stewardship agreement example to help you get a feel for what is involved.

How will information provided in an application be used?

We will use the information you provide to check if you have in-demand credits, prioritise applications for sites with the most potential to generate in-demand credits and begin discussions with you as the landholder on a potential biodiversity stewardship agreement. See also our privacy statement.

Can the department help cover the costs involved in setting up a biodiversity stewardship agreement?

If you have in-demand credits, the department may offer a biodiversity assessment from an accredited assessor and help prepare a biodiversity stewardship agreement and management plan. More information on this will be offered to you if your application through the Stewardship Support Program is accepted.

Will a biodiversity stewardship agreement affect the other agricultural/economic activities occurring on my land?

A biodiversity stewardship agreement only applies to the areas of your land you want to include. Some sustainable grazing, apiary, and other low impact activities may be included as part of the biodiversity stewardship agreement management plan. You can continue to carry out agriculture and other economic activities on areas not covered by the biodiversity stewardship agreement.

How much money can I make from a biodiversity stewardship agreement?

A single biodiversity credit can be worth anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands. In selling credits, some money is held in the Biodiversity Stewardship Payments Fund and then paid to you each year for land management. This amount depends on the property's size and the condition and amount of restoration you include in the biodiversity stewardship agreement management plan.

What about carbon farming?

Commonwealth regulations specify where carbon credits can be created, and there may be constraints in setting up a biodiversity stewardship agreement over the same area as a carbon project. If you would like to consider a carbon project, please raise this with the department to find out the latest information.

Are small areas of land suitable for biodiversity stewardship agreements?

Generally, larger areas of land enable the landholder to generate the most biodiversity credits through a biodiversity stewardship agreement. Larger areas, or those adjoining other reserves or large areas of vegetation, can be easier to manage. Areas with existing native plant and animal habitats also need less intensive management.