How to retire biodiversity credits

To retire credits created under the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme from the market you must: 

1. Own the credits to be retired. If you do not own the credits yet, the credits will first need to be transferred to your ownership. Refer to Transfer and retire biodiversity credits.
2. Complete, sign and date the application to retire biodiversity credits form before an adult witness. See the Application to retire Biodiversity Offsets Scheme credits (DOCX 160KB)
3. Submit the complete executed application form and accompanying documentation evidencing proof of identity and legal authority required to execute the application to [email protected]. The department will review your application and may request further information.
4. Pay an application fee. The application fee is paid after an application is made to the department. There are instructions for fee payment within the application and invoice. The department has also developed a payment portal which will now accept online credit or debit card payments. View all Scheme fees.
5. Ensure the relevant payment towards the Total Fund Deposit for the biodiversity stewardship site is made if required.  

After a completed application is submitted and the fee and any Total Fund Deposit amount have been paid, the department will process the retirement in the Biodiversity Offsets and Agreements Management System and the retirement appears on the Credit Transactions Register. The department will notify the credit owner.    

For information about transferring and retiring BioBanking credits, go to How to transfer or retire BioBanking credits. 

Paying the application fee for a BOS credit transfer or retirement application

There are 2 ways to pay the application fee that must accompany a BOS credit transfer or retirement application.

The department can either:

• accept online payment of the application fee using a credit or debit card, or
• provide an invoice for payment of the application fee.

Applicants must select their preferred payment method in Part E of the credit transfer application form, or in Part D of the credit retirement application form. Applicants will need to provide the information required by these parts of the application form for the department to accept payment online or via invoice. This includes providing an active email address.

Paying the application fee through the payment portal will likely reduce any delays to your application that may be associated with payment of the application fee.