Australia's national environmental laws have changed. So, what happens next?

More than five years after Professor Graeme Samuel declared the EPBC Act outdated and ineffective, the Australian Parliament has acted. The reforms establish a National Environmental Protection Agency and introduce National Environmental Standards - the most significant reshaping of Australia's environmental framework in a generation.

But legislation alone doesn't protect a single ecosystem. Implementation can.

The 2026 EIANZ Impact Assessment Symposium brings together the environmental profession in the heart of the Commonwealth government - Canberra - to turn reform into results. This is the opportunity to move beyond compliance and use these changes to genuinely improve environmental outcomes.

While the focus will be on EPBC Act reforms, the symposium will also look at opportunities to improve environmental outcomes in state and territory environmental assessments.

You'll leave with

• A clear, practical understanding of how the new national framework operates and what it means in practice
• Strategies to go beyond regulatory compliance – including using the reforms as a lever for better environmental outcomes
• Connections with the practitioners and decision-makers shaping implementation right now.

The program will feature speakers from across the profession, hands-on workshops, expert panels, and dedicated networking time. It will challenge you, provide insight, and hand you tools you can put to work immediately.

Who attends?

The EIANZ Impact Assessment Symposium draws more than 200 practitioners from across the impact assessment field, such as consultants, regulators, academics and specialists who work with these frameworks every day. Whether you're navigating the reforms for the first time or helping to shape how they're implemented, you'll be in the right room.

Call for abstracts

Abstracts from both EIANZ members and non-members are invited on the following four sub-themes:

• Achieving efficient, high-quality assessments and approvals under the new streamlined assessment pathway and the reformed bilateral agreements
• Using the reforms to drive innovation in identifying and evaluating environmental and social impacts
• Using the mitigation hierarchy to go beyond compliance
• Making effective use of regional planning.

For more a more detailed explanation on the sub-themes and abstract topic suggestion view the explanatory notes here →

We are likely to receive more abstracts than we can accommodate in the program. Priority will be given to abstracts that present truly innovative practice and/or provide valuable learning or tools for other practitioners who will attend the symposium.

Registrations are now open!

The EIANZ 2026 Impact Assessment Symposium will include two days of technical content, including plenary sessions, panel sessions, posters and abstract presentations. Delegates are invited to attend the networking and poster session at the end of day one, which is included in the registration fee. Register via the blue box at the bottom of the page.

Early Bird Registration rates**

* This is an all inclusive registration fee charged in AUD including GST. Registrations are via credit card. If you are unable to register and pay via credit card please contact us at office@eianz.org. NZAIA members, please contact events@eianz.org to obtain the member rate.
Accommodation: The Doma Hotel group is offering delegates a 15% discount off the standard room rates across their 4 properties, including Hotel Realm. Details on how to access the discount is provided in your registration confirmation email.
** Early bird registration closes on 30 June 2026.

Sponsorship opportunities

Sponsorship of the EIANZ 2026 Impact Assessment Symposium provides an outstanding opportunity to secure high-profile brand recognition with delegates and speakers who are leading experts in impact assessment, policy and practice in Australia. Gold, Silver and Bronze packages are available, and we can tailor a package to suit your organisation.

Not an EIANZ member?

Consider joining as a student, associate or full member today! Join prior to registering for the symposium to take advantage of the discounted member rates.
Join here →

CPD points

Cancellation Policy

Should you need to cancel your registration the following conditions apply:

• 50% refund up to 4 weeks before the event
• 25% refund up to 2 weeks before
• No refund less than 7 days before the event
• Accept an alternative person in lieu of someone who can’t attend, who meets the criteria of the ticket
• Notification of cancellation must be provided to EIANZ Central Office by email office@eianz.org