The offset rules for proponents (scheme participants), including developers and clearing applicants, set out the ways they can meet their offset obligation. The options are:
- retiring credits based on Like-for-like offset rules
- funding a biodiversity conservation action that benefits the threatened species, habitat or ecological community (and is listed in and meets the Ancillary rules)
- making a payment to the Biodiversity Conservation Fund calculated using the Biodiversity Conservation Fund Charge System.
If a proponent can demonstrate that they could not find like-for-like credits, they can seek approval to offset using the variation rules.
For more information, download Ancillary rules: reasonable steps to seek like-for-like biodiversity credits [PDF 58KB].
Major mining projects can also commit to delivering mine site ecological rehabilitation.
Guidance on ecosystem credit retirement options for accredited assessors, proponents and consent authorities
The offset rules and ecosystem credits practice note provides information on credit retirement options. It covers like-for-like and variation rule options, and links to relevant resources.