FISHERIES AND FORESTRY DIVISION

Australians Unified – Agriculture, Oceans & Sustainable Resource Management

The Fisheries and Forestry Division provides national leadership in the sustainable management of Australia’s fisheries, forests, and natural resources. It supports industry productivity, environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and long‑term economic prosperity through evidence‑based policy, regulation, and scientific analysis.

The division works with industry, First Nations communities, environmental groups, scientists, and international partners to ensure Australia’s fisheries and forests remain healthy, productive, and sustainably managed for future generations.

 

OUR ROLE

The Fisheries and Forestry Division exists to:

  • Develop and implement national fisheries and forestry policy

  • Support sustainable resource management and industry growth

  • Protect marine and forest ecosystems

  • Strengthen climate resilience and biodiversity outcomes

  • Provide scientific and economic analysis to government

  • Coordinate with states, territories, and international partners

  • Ensure long‑term sustainability of Australia’s natural resources

The division ensures Australia’s fisheries and forests remain productive, resilient, and environmentally responsible.

OUR STRENGTHS

Environmental & Resource Management Strengths

  • Strong scientific capability across marine and forest ecosystems

  • Trusted regulatory and policy frameworks

  • Established partnerships with industry and research bodies

  • Proven track record in sustainability and resource planning

  • National leadership in climate and biodiversity policy

Sovereign Strengths

  • Critical role in food security and timber supply

  • Essential to Australia’s environmental and economic resilience

  • Supports international commitments on climate and biodiversity

 

OUR WEAKNESSES

Structural Weaknesses

  • Ageing data systems and monitoring platforms

  • Limited real‑time environmental data integration

  • Fragmented cross‑jurisdictional coordination

  • Slow modernisation of digital regulatory tools

  • Under‑resourced regional and remote operations

Operational Weaknesses

  • Workforce shortages in specialist science and policy roles

  • Rising complexity of climate‑impacted ecosystems

  • Limited outreach to small and remote communities

  • Increasing demand for ecosystem‑based management

OUR THREATS

External Threats

  • Climate change affecting forests and marine ecosystems

  • Illegal logging and IUU fishing

  • Global market volatility and supply chain disruptions

  • Biodiversity loss and habitat degradation

Internal Threats

  • Resource constraints

  • Outdated monitoring technologies

  • Workforce fatigue and retention challenges

  • Limited surge capacity for major environmental events

 

OUR OPPORTUNITIES

Strategic Opportunities

  • Modernise national fisheries and forestry monitoring systems

  • Strengthen climate‑resilient resource management

  • Expand ecosystem modelling and biodiversity analysis

  • Improve First Nations partnerships and co‑management

  • Enhance international leadership in sustainable resource use

Operational Opportunities

  • Recruit and retain specialist scientists and policy experts

  • Improve digital monitoring and analytics

  • Strengthen partnerships with industry and research bodies

  • Expand community and regional engagement

 

CONDENSED YEARLY COSTING MODEL — FISHERIES & FORESTRY DIVISION

Baseline + Uplift Investment Framework

 

BASELINE FUNDING (Already Provided)

  • Core fisheries & forestry operations: $0.20B

  • Environmental science & monitoring: $0.07B

  • Compliance & resource management: $0.06B

Total Baseline Funding:

$0.33B per year

 

PHASE 1 — FOUNDATION (Years 1–2)

Annual uplift: $0.24B – $0.34B 2‑year uplift total: $0.48B – $0.68B

 

PHASE 2 — ACCELERATION (Years 2–4)

Annual uplift: $0.34B – $0.48B 3‑year uplift total: $1.02B – $1.44B

 

PHASE 3 — EXPANSION (Years 4–6)

Annual uplift: $0.44B – $0.60B 2‑year uplift total: $0.88B – $1.20B

 

PHASE 4 — FUTURE‑READY (Years 6–10)

Annual uplift: $0.58B – $0.78B 4‑year uplift total: $2.32B – $3.12B

 

TOTAL INVESTMENT SUMMARY

6‑YEAR TOTAL

  • Uplift: $2.38B – $3.32B

  • Baseline: $1.98B

Total 6‑Year Investment:

$4.36B – $5.30B

10‑YEAR TOTAL

  • Uplift: $4.70B – $6.44B

  • Baseline: $3.30B

Total 10‑Year Investment:

$8.00B – $9.74B

 

THE FUTURE‑READY FISHERIES & FORESTRY DIVISION

A national blueprint for sustainable, science‑led resource management

1. FASTER, MORE ACCURATE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Strengthening national environmental capability

Key Actions

  • Modern digital monitoring systems

  • Faster environmental assessment processes

  • Improved compliance and enforcement tools

  • Strengthened coordination with agencies

Outcome: A more agile, responsive resource management system.

 

2. STRONGER SOVEREIGN RESOURCE CAPABILITY

Building Australian capability for sustainable oceans and forests

Key Actions

  • Specialist marine and forest science teams

  • National environmental data and modelling platform

  • Strengthened oversight and governance

  • Expanded climate and ecosystem analysis

Outcome: A more resilient, future‑focused resource system.

 

3. A MODERN, RESILIENT WORKFORCE

Supporting the people who protect Australia’s natural resources

Key Actions

  • Workforce wellbeing and retention programs

  • Specialist training pathways

  • Diversity and inclusion initiatives

  • Modern digital and scientific tools

Outcome: A strong, supported fisheries and forestry workforce.

 

4. BETTER INTEGRATION WITH GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRY & COMMUNITY

One national resource management ecosystem

Key Actions

  • Integrated data‑sharing platforms

  • Stronger partnerships with industry and research bodies

  • National community and regional engagement

  • Shared analytics and intelligence systems

Outcome: A more coordinated, community‑connected resource network.

 

5. A MORE SUSTAINABLE, RESILIENT AUSTRALIA

Protecting ecosystems, industries, and communities

Key Actions

  • Climate‑resilient resource planning

  • Ecosystem‑based management

  • Habitat protection initiatives

  • Public transparency and open data

Outcome: A healthier, more sustainable national environment.

 

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