The objective of this Act is the conservation of nature to be achieved by an integrated and comprehensive conservation strategy that involves the gathering of information and community education, the dedication and declaration of protected areas, the management of protected areas, the protection of native wildlife and its habitats, the use of protected wildlife and areas to be ecologically sustainable, recognition of the interests of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in protected areas and native wildlife, and cooperative involvement of landholders (sect. 5).
The Act consists of 12 Parts divided into 206 sections. Part 4 classifies protected areas and sets the management principles for different types of conservation areas. Part 4A is dedicated to forest reserves and their management. Part 5 covers wildlife and habitats conservation and sets the criteria for classification and the management principles. Part 6 regulates interim conservation orders and Part 7 provides for management and conservation plans. Part 8 concerns administration of the Act, including the appointment of conservation officers and their powers. Part 9 covers investigation and enforcement, Part 10 legal proceedings and Part 11 contains miscellaneous provisions. The Act is completed by one schedule containing a dictionary of relevant terms.