Australia: Environment

PFAS contamination litigation is evolving through distinct waves, from environmental property damage claims to consumer-manufacturer disputes and emerging personal injury actions. As scientific evidence mounts and regulatory scrutiny intensifies, Australian courts face a potential flood of claims mirroring the billions in settlements already paid in the United States, with manufacturers, governments, and corporations throughout the supply chain confronting unprecedented legal exposure.

Australia's environmental compliance landscape undergoes a major transformation on 1 July 2026, as the next stage of EPBC Act reforms establishes two new regulatory bodies and introduces stricter compliance requirements. With half a billion dollars in federal funding supporting these changes, businesses face new audit mechanisms, heightened penalties, and expanded data-sharing obligations that will fundamentally reshape how environmental approvals are managed and enforced.

The Northern Territory Government has unveiled its Climate Resilience Plan, establishing five strategic priorities to guide energy transition, emissions reduction, and climate adaptation across the territory.