The native vegetation removal regulations were updated on 12 December 2017. Details of the review process are provided in the Review of the native vegetation clearing regulations 2015-2017.
Native vegetation provides habitat for plants and animals and delivers a range of ecosystem services that make land more productive and contribute to human well-being.
In Victoria, a permit is usually required to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation. These regulations are known as the native vegetation removal regulations and are primarily implemented through local council planning schemes.
Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation (the Guidelines) outline how native vegetation removal is assessed and offset. The Guidelines are an incorporated document in all Victorian planning schemes.
Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation (DELWP 2017) (PDF, 1.5 MB)
The Monitoring, evaluation and reporting plan - removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation describes approaches used to evaluate, monitor and report on the performance of the native vegetation removal regulations.
It provides a framework for consistent and efficient data collection to:
- measure progress towards achieving the goal of ‘no net loss’ to Victoria’s biodiversity from the removal of native vegetation
- check operation of the regulations, and
- identify and address gaps in our current knowledge.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Plan - Native Vegetation Regulations (DEECA 2023)
(PDF, 1.3 MB)
Annual reports
The following annual reports present an overview of how the native vegetation regulations were implemented during the subject financial year.
Three-yearly Report
The Three-yearly Report evaluates the operation of the Native Vegetation Regulations during the three-year period between July 2017 and June 2020.
Preparing an application to remove native vegetation
The application requirements for an application to remove native vegetation depend on the application’s assessment pathway. There are three assessment pathways, Basic, Intermediate and Detailed.
The assessment pathway is determined by the amount of native vegetation to be removed (in hectares), whether any large trees are to be removed, and the location of the native vegetation in the landscape.
The NVR Map tool assists in preparing an application to remove native vegetation.
Basic and Intermediate Assessment Pathways
Use the Native vegetation removal regulations – Basic and Intermediate pathway application guidance to assist applicants with preparing information to satisfy each of the nine application requirements.
Basic and intermediate application guidance
Detailed Assessment Pathways
Use the Native vegetation removal regulations – Detailed pathway application guidance to assist applicants with preparing information to satisfy each of the 11 application requirements.
Offset Availability
The online search tool is available to assist applicants find offset credits to meet their offset requirements as outlined in their Native Vegetation Removal Report. The tool lists all the native vegetation credits available for purchase on the Native Vegetation Credit Register. The Search the Native Vegetation Credit Register search tool user guide will help navigate the tool.
Native Vegetation Credit Register search tool user guide
Lodging an application to remove native vegetation
Applications for a permit to remove native vegetation must be lodged with the relevant responsible authority, which is usually the local council. In addition to the application requirements for the native vegetation removal regulations, further information may be required by the local planning scheme.
The Assessor’s handbook – applications to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation (Assessor’s handbook) provides information and guidance to assist local government and DELWP when assessing applications to remove native vegetation.
Assessor’s handbook – Applications to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation (PDF, 5.5 MB)
Some applications to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation are required to be referred to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to provide a recommendation. All other applications are assessed solely by the local council.
Key documents
Removing native vegetation
Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation 2017 (PDF, 1.5 MB)
Native vegetation removal regulations - Applicant's guide
Assessor's handbook - Applications to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation (PDF, 5.5 MB)
Exemptions from requiring a planning permit to remove native vegetation - Guidance (PDF, 873.3 KB)
Offsets
Native Vegetation Credit Register - Traded credits information (Excel, 3.0 MB)
Native Vegetation Credit Register - Brokers and site assessors (PDF, 103.5 KB)
Native Vegetation Credit Register - Table of Fees
Native vegetation gain scoring manual v2 (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Native vegetation gain calculator (ExcelM, 767.5 KB)
Management standards for native vegetation offset sites (PDF, 1.8 MB)
Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
If you would like an accessible version of any published document, please contact nativevegetation.support@delwp.vic.gov.au
Page last updated: 20/05/25