This audit would examine the effectiveness of the Commonwealth’s implementation of the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs).

RFAs are agreements between the Commonwealth and four states that establish arrangements for the use of native forests in certain areas. They are intended to provide for future forest management and a competitive and ecologically sustainable forestry industry. Forestry operations in accordance with RFAs (which set both obligations and commitments to balance ecological sustainability and resource access for industry) are exempt from assessment and approval requirements under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.