The new Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Audit Thresholds) Instrument 2025 was registered on 19 March 2025 and is now in effect. This Instrument replaces the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Audit Thresholds) Instrument 2015, which has been repealed.
The fourth pilot exit window for the fixed delivery exit arrangements has closed. The window covered delivery milestones between 1 July 2023 and 31 December 2024.
This paper describes how projects registered under the HIR method earn carbon credits based on the sequestration of carbon in native vegetation. It provides an overview of the robust framework for large-scale sequestration throughout Australia. It also highlights the uncertainty and risks associated with running a HIR project and outlines the key compliance and crediting controls in place to mitigate these risks.
The Minister for Climate Change and Energy has amended the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015.
Participants can now search for any ACCU Scheme-related guidance in one location with the launch of our ACCU Scheme guidance library.
The CER publishes numerous guidance documents designed to assist participants in understanding various complex aspects of the schemes we administer. This new centralised resource for the ACCU Scheme will improve accessibility and help with overall information transparency.
Our guidance falls under two broad categories:
On 3 May 2023, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy made a Direction to the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) concerning the administration of human-induced regeneration (HIR) projects under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme. Under the Direction, the CER will prioritise audits under section 215 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 (CFI Act) for the compliance of HIR projects submitting offsets reports subject to gateway checks.