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The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act, 2006 and maritime boundary treaties with neighbouring countries provide the regulatory framework for all offshore petroleum exploration, production and greenhouse gas activities in Commonwealth waters (those areas more than three nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline and within the Commonwealth Petroleum Jurisdiction Boundary). The National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator provides advice and recommendations to the Joint Authorities, the decision-maker for the granting of petroleum titles that underpin petroleum exploration and development—exploration permits, retention leases and production licences. The Joint Authority for each state and the Northern Territory comprise the responsible Commonwealth minister and the relevant state or Northern Territory minister. The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority ensures that exploration and development activities are compliant with the relevant regulations.

Total energy production is approximately three times the total primary energy supply (TPES). Consequently, Australia is one of the world's leading energy exporters.[24] The TPES is dominated by fossil fuels, with coal and oil being responsible for about 39% and 30%, respectively, followed by natural gas whose share is over 25%. Hydro energy, wind, solar and biofuels make up the rest.

[24] The TPES is the sum of production and imports minus exports and storage changes.

Coal is the principal source of electricity generation, followed by natural gas and renewable sources. Coal accounted for 36% of installed capacity and 60% of generation in 2016. However, since 2010, the share of coal in installed capacity has declined, while those of wind and solar have increased significantly.

Since 2016, responsibility for energy matters lies with the Department of the Environment and Energy, which, in addition to energy and environmental legislation, is also responsible for energy security.[25]

[25] Previously, the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science was responsible for energy matters.

In June 2017, the COAG Energy Council created the Energy Security Board, which is tasked with fostering coordinated reforms across the NEM regarding reliability, security and emission reduction policies.

In April 2015, the Government detailed its energy strategy in the Energy White Paper (EWP). (...) Additionally, under the Paris Agreement, Australia increased its international climate change ambitions, and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26%, to 28% below 2005 levels, by 2030. However, the EWP does not incorporate the Government's climate change pledge.

According to the authorities, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development supports an efficient, safe and environmentally friendly maritime transport system, including an effective regulatory framework for shipping, and environmental and safety regulations. The Department's Maritime and Shipping Branch (...) oversees a range of legislation, giving effect to Australia's maritime safety and marine environmental protection obligations under various international treaties and conventions.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development manages the policy and regulatory framework for Australian airports and the aviation industry. It also manages the administration of the Government's interests in privatized airports under the Airports Act, 1996, and provides policy advice on the efficient management of airspace, and on aircraft noise and emissions.

The entry into force of the Biosecurity Act (in 2015), two basic implementing regulations and a host of related legal instruments constitute a major recent development in the area of sanitary and phytosanitary measures in Australia. The legislation provides for risk analysis to be conducted through a regulated process (Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis) for goods in the review of existing trade, and in response to requests regarding products that have never been imported into Australia, or have not previously been imported from a particular country or region. As before, imports are not permitted unless the estimated biosecurity risks are "very low" (or lower).

Agriculture makes a significant contribution to the economy (...) Support to the sector is limited, as Australia does not provide market price support. Current programmes target risk management, environmental conservation, and the provision of general services.