High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026
Establishes a framework to implement Australia’s obligations under the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.
Summary from the official bill homepage.
Became law
| Act | High Seas Biodiversity Act 2026 |
|---|---|
| Number | No. 42, 2026 |
| Assent | 8 Apr 2026 |
| Status | In force |
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 21 Oct 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.
Progress
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| Senate | |
| 4 Feb 2026 | Introduced and read a first time |
| 4 Feb 2026 | Second reading moved |
| 23 Mar 2026 | Second reading debate |
| 23 Mar 2026 | Second reading agreed to |
| 23 Mar 2026 | Committee of the Whole debate |
| 23 Mar 2026 | Third reading agreed to |
| House | |
| 24 Mar 2026 | Introduced and read a first time |
| 26 Mar 2026 | Second reading moved |
| 30 Mar 2026 | Second reading debate |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Referred to Federation Chamber |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Second reading debate |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Returned to House for further consideration |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Second reading debate |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Second reading agreed to |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Third reading agreed to |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Finally passed both Houses |
| 8 Apr 2026 | Assent |
Official record: bill homepage at aph.gov.au, full text and documents on ParlInfo.