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Conservation & ManagementAustralia's flying-foxes are ecologically important species, contributing to the health and regeneration of native forests through pollination and seed dispersal.
When human activity overlaps with flying-foxes, this can lead to human-wildlife conflict, necessitating a balancing of community and conservation concerns, and careful consideration under both Commonwealth and state legislation. This page provides an overview of key conservation and management frameworks relevant to Australia's flying-foxes, including links to national and state-level guidance. It is intended as a supplementary resource to assist land managers, environmental planners, and other stakeholders in navigating existing regulatory processes and identifying appropriate management approaches. For authoritative information, users should refer directly to the linked government websites and statutory instruments. |
Click on the map for state-specific information
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Conservation status of Australian flying-foxes
Three of Australia's five flying-fox species are listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act): the Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), the Spectacled Flying-fox (P. conspicillatus), and the Christmas Island Flying-fox (P. natalis).
These species are Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES). Any action that is likely to have a 'significant impact' on them requires referral to the Australian Government for assessment.
These species are Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES). Any action that is likely to have a 'significant impact' on them requires referral to the Australian Government for assessment.
Substantial penalties of up to $8.5 million or seven years imprisonment apply for activities that significantly impact EPBC-listed species without approval. However, note that all species of flying-fox in Australia are protected under State and/or Territory legislation, regardless of their EPBC listing status. This includes the Black Flying-fox (P. alecto) and the Little Red Flying-fox (P. scapulatus), which are not currently listed under the EPBC Act but are still subject to legal protections at the state level.
Species |
National status (EPBC Act) |
State status |
IUCN status |
Endangered (QLD) |
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N/A |
Vulnerable (as subspecies of P. melanotus) |
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Not Listed |
Least Concern (QLD) |
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Little Red Flying-fox (P. scapulatus) |
Not Listed |
Least Concern (QLD) |
Camp management
Flying-fox camp management actions range from roost vegetation modification to dispersal, but these actions often inadvertently exacerbate the human-wildlife conflict they aim to resolve.
Before proposing any on‑ground action, check both the Commonwealth Referral Guideline and your state/territory requirements (see below) to determine whether an EPBC referral is required and which mitigation standards apply.
The Referral Guideline for management actions in Grey-headed and Spectacled flying-fox camps provides a decision framework for when a referral is needed and sets mitigation standards for in-situ works.
Before proposing any on‑ground action, check both the Commonwealth Referral Guideline and your state/territory requirements (see below) to determine whether an EPBC referral is required and which mitigation standards apply.
The Referral Guideline for management actions in Grey-headed and Spectacled flying-fox camps provides a decision framework for when a referral is needed and sets mitigation standards for in-situ works.
Key points:
Camp Management Plans are the preferred vehicle for coordinating actions, community engagement, and monitoring (the Commonwealth Referral Guideline recommends the NSW Camp Management Plan template for this).
- Dispersal is a last resort for managing flying-fox camps (because it is a high-risk, high-cost tool for mitigating human–wildlife conflict). Proponents are urged to explore alternative actions before considering dispersal.
- Nationally Important camps: actions in Nationally Important camps that do not adopt mitigation standards, or any dispersal during stress periods, are likely to require referral.
- Routine low-impact works (e.g., weed control, minor pruning) generally do not require referral if mitigation standards are followed.
- Cumulative impacts matter: repeated vegetation clearing or multiple dispersals can trigger referral even if individual actions seem minor.
Camp Management Plans are the preferred vehicle for coordinating actions, community engagement, and monitoring (the Commonwealth Referral Guideline recommends the NSW Camp Management Plan template for this).
Queensland (QLD)
In Qld, local governments have an “as‑of‑right” authority to manage roosts within designated Urban Flying‑fox Management Areas (UFFMAs), provided activities comply with the Code of Practice—Ecologically sustainable management of flying‑fox roosts. Councils must notify the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) before actions and follow prescribed methods; permits are required for actions outside UFFMAs or not covered by the code. Comprehensive operational guidance is provided in the Flying‑fox Roost Management Guideline.
Actions likely to have a significant impact on Spectacled or Grey-headed Flying-foxes require EPBC referral.
Actions likely to have a significant impact on Spectacled or Grey-headed Flying-foxes require EPBC referral.
- Roost management overview — Authorised flying‑fox roost management (QLD)
- Code of Practice (roosts) — Ecologically sustainable management of flying‑fox roosts (PDF)
- Guideline — Flying‑fox Roost Management Guideline (PDF)
- Permit (FFRMP) — When a permit is required and how to apply
New South Wales (NSW)
NSW uses a proactive, tiered approach to managing camps (Level 1 routine site management; Level 2 buffers; Level 3 disturbance/dispersal). The approach is set out in the Flying‑fox Camp Management Policy 2015 (updated 2018) and supported by the Flying‑fox Camp Management Code of Practice 2018 for public land managers. Actions consistent with the Code can proceed without a licence; others may need authorisation under NSW biodiversity legislation.
Actions likely to have a significant impact on Grey-headed Flying-foxes require EPBC referral.
Note: NSW guidance emphasises choosing the lowest effective intervention, documenting camp management plans, and ensuring community engagement and mitigation standards—especially before any dispersal proposal (which may also trigger the Commonwealth Referral Guideline above).
Actions likely to have a significant impact on Grey-headed Flying-foxes require EPBC referral.
- Policy — Flying‑fox Camp Management Policy 2015 (OEH)
- Code of Practice (2018) — management standards, including rest areas, buffers and implementation conditions. Download (PDF)
- NSW overview & resources — Flying‑fox camp management (DCCEW NSW)
Note: NSW guidance emphasises choosing the lowest effective intervention, documenting camp management plans, and ensuring community engagement and mitigation standards—especially before any dispersal proposal (which may also trigger the Commonwealth Referral Guideline above).
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
ACT manages Grey-headed Flying-foxes at sites such as Commonwealth Park and Yarra Valley/urban reserves in line with the species’ Vulnerable status, with a dedicated Conservation Plan and site‑based camp management planning.
Actions likely to have a significant impact on Grey-headed Flying-foxes require EPBC referral.
Actions likely to have a significant impact on Grey-headed Flying-foxes require EPBC referral.
Victoria (VIC)
In Victoria, Grey-headed Flying-foxes are protected wildlife and listed as threatened. Public information for residents and managers covers living with flying‑foxes, known camp locations (e.g., Yarra Bend Park), and species ecology. Management at camps is typically coordinated with Parks Victoria/DEECA and councils, and actions must comply with Victorian biodiversity laws.
Actions likely to have a significant impact on Grey-headed Flying-foxes require EPBC referral.
Actions likely to have a significant impact on Grey-headed Flying-foxes require EPBC referral.
- Living with flying‑foxes — practical tips and community guidance. Wildlife Victoria (DEECA) info
- Victorian camps — overview of camps and where they occur. DEECA Flying Fox Locations
- Grey-headed Flying-foxes in Victoria (factsheet) — status, ecology, movement patterns (incl. short‑stay camp use). PDF
South Australia (SA)
Grey-headed Flying-foxes have established a permanent camp at Botanic Park (Adelaide) since 2010, with smaller (intermittent) camps elsewhere. SA guidance focuses on living with wildlife, species status (Grey-headed Flying-foxes, nationally Vulnerable; Rare in SA), and heat‑stress/injury risks. Authorisations may be required under SA wildlife law for any direct management at camps.
Actions likely to have a significant impact on Grey-headed Flying-foxes require EPBC referral.
Actions likely to have a significant impact on Grey-headed Flying-foxes require EPBC referral.
- About Grey-headed Flying-foxes in SA — species information and community guidance. DEW page
- Wildlife permits — when a permit is needed for wildlife interactions in SA. DEW permits
Northern Territory (NT)
The NT hosts Black and Little Red Flying‑foxes, which are protected. Government guidance covers living near camps, health considerations (e.g., ABLV precautions), and the Katherine roost management program that reduces human–flying‑fox conflict through vegetation management, monitoring and education.
Western Australia (WA)
In WA, flying‑foxes occur primarily in the north; most bat issues involve microbats in urban settings. The DBCA Fauna Notes—Bats: Damage Prevention and Control recommends non‑lethal mitigation (e.g., netting/fruit bagging, exclusion), notes the legal protections for native bats, and provides contact routes for injured wildlife. Flying‑fox damage to orchards is not generally considered an issue in WA.
Tasmania (TAS)
Flying‑foxes do not generally occur in Tasmania; occasional vagrants (e.g., Grey-headed Flying-foxes) have been recorded on Bass Strait islands and rarely on the mainland. State wildlife pages summarise resident bat fauna and note the rarity of fruit bats in TAS.
- Bats in Tasmania — overview of resident species; notes on fruit bats as vagrants. NRE Tas
