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Unit of study_
LAWS6165: Biodiversity Law and Heritage Law
2026 unit information
Biological diversity is the variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes of which they are part, including diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. Aside from whatever intrinsic value it may possess, biodiversity is crucial to support human life and welfare. Australia is fortunate to have some of the world's most complex and unique biodiversity unfortunately, also to have one of the highest rates of extinction and loss of biodiversity. Despite a sophisticated system of environmental governance and a relatively high degree of environmental awareness, biodiversity continues to decline rapidly in Australia. This unit considers the international legal regime related to the protection of biodiversity; how international instruments are incorporated into (or otherwise affect) Australia's regime; and the operation of Australia's regime at both national and state levels (particularly in NSW) - and consideration of various threats to biodiversity, different protection options, and how biodiversity-related considerations affect and are affected by other Environmental Law fields. National heritage is one of nine matters of national environmental significance protected under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. This unit covers conservation of natural and cultural heritage, including intangible, underwater, movable and Australian Aboriginal heritage. International, national, state and local regimes for heritage conservation are examined and considered in the context of broader biodiversity-related environmental decision making. Refer to the Sydney Law School timetable - https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/4533/pages/postgraduate-lecture-timetable
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney Law School
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Law |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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LAWS6055 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Critically evaluate the value of biological diversity (biodiversity), the value of heritage, and the relationship between the two.
- LO2. Critically analyse specific biodiversity- and heritage-related problems in global and Australian contexts, and assess the effectiveness of various legal, regulatory and policy responses to those problems.
- LO3. Analyse the international legal frameworks governing or influencing the management and protection of biodiversity and heritage.
- LO4. Identify and describe to a high level how international biodiversity and heritage obligations and influences are incorporated into Australian law, with particular reference to Commonwealth- and New South Wales-related legal instruments for the management and protection of biodiversity and heritage.
- LO5. Critically reflect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ and other First Peoples’ experiences, perspectives and knowledges in relation to the management and protection of biodiversity and heritage, their continuing relationships with Country, and the legal and environmental effects of colonisation.
- LO6. Critically apply relevant legal research methodologies to the examination of biodiversity and heritage law issues in Australia and globally to synthesise sound legal arguments and communicate these to specialist and non-specialist audiences
Unit availability
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| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Intensive August - September 2026
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Block mode | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
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