Australia’s commitment to safeguard 30 percent of its land by 2030 is at risk of falling short due to a focus on the quantity rather than the quality of protected areas, according to a recent independent assessment. The Albanese government pledged in 2022 to effectively conserve at least 30 percent of “areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions” by 2030, aligning with international obligations under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
The review, conducted by experts from The Nature Conservancy and Pew Charitable Trusts, acknowledges progress with protected land expanding from 22 to 25 percent of the nation’s territory. However, it notes that many of Australia’s most vulnerable ecosystems and threatened species remain unprotected. Much of the government’s recent efforts, including the declaration of six new Indigenous protected areas in 2025 adding 16 million hectares, have been concentrated in desert and arid zones that already have relatively high protection levels.
James Fitzsimons, senior adviser at The Nature Conservancy and co-author of the report, highlighted that this approach diverges from the original intent of the 30x30 target. “Protecting the full diversity of ecosystems is essential,” he said, adding that native grasslands, grassy woodlands, and wetlands — many of which have been extensively cleared — currently hold critically low protection levels. The assessment found that less than 1 percent of the habitat and migration range of 160 threatened species, such as the Butler’s dunnart and birds nest wattle, fall within protected areas, while 39 critically endangered species, including the Tiwi Islands hooded robin and Lyon’s grassland striped skink, have no protection at all.
The authors recommend a strategic shift supported by increased funding to conserve more biodiverse and fragmented habitats, particularly on private land. Paul Sheridan of Pew Charitable Trusts emphasized the need for incentives and support for landowners to conserve habitats on their properties, stating that “the challenge now is to invest in and build a network of protected areas that helps prevent Australia’s fragile ecosystems from collapsing.”
Examples of successful private land conservation initiatives were cited, such as a restoration network in South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. Yundi fruit grower John Fargher and 70 other local farmers have restored threatened swamp ecosystems, which are mostly found on private land. Fargher pointed to the need for tax incentives, reduced regulatory barriers, and ongoing support to expand such efforts nationally, noting practical benefits like improved water retention and increased populations of beneficial wildlife.
The federal government maintains that Indigenous protected areas are a critical component of the 30x30 target and cites recent programs designed to protect biodiversity-rich areas with incentives for private land conservation. A government spokeswoman highlighted recent additions under the Australian Bushland Program and Protecting Important Biodiversity Areas program, with more resources being allocated to deliver “support for programs and incentives across private land.”
Despite these claims, the report warns that the remaining $150 million in the Australian Bushland Program is insufficient compared to the estimated $5 billion annual investment required to meet the target meaningfully. The assessment concludes that simply pursuing a numerical target across large, less biodiverse stretches will not fulfill Australia’s obligations and urges a more balanced, ecologically focused approach as the 2030 deadline approaches.