National Reserve System
The National Reserve System is Australia's network of protected areas, conserving examples of our natural landscapes and native plants and animals for future generations. Based on a scientific framework, it is the nation's natural safety net against our biggest environmental challenges.
The reserve system includes more than 12,000 protected areas covering 19.74 per cent of the country - over 151 million hectares. It is made up of Commonwealth, state and territory reserves, Indigenous lands and protected areas run by non-profit conservation organisations, through to ecosystems protected by farmers on their private working properties.
CAPAD 2018
About the National Reserve System
The National Reserve System is underpinned by a scientific framework.
Getting involved
Through the National Reserve System Programme (1996-2013), the Australian Government provided approximately $200 million in funding, to assist the purchase of 371 properties (around 10 million hectares) for addition to the National Reserve System. This Programme was not extended past 2013.