A NSW Government website

Summary tables of biodiversity credit market information

 

The summary of resources on this page is to help landholders and developers understand whether there is demand for and supply of credits, and how to price credits.

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and clarity of the information provided. However, you should exercise judgement when using this information and consider obtaining expert advice.

The tables below capture the key data considerations for each information source. Use the links below to better understand each information source's full suite of limitations.

Information about credits that may be available for purchase or could be created in the future

You can use these information sources to find available credits on the market. Credits may exist already and be available to purchase, or they may be potential credits that could be created in the future. All content is publicly available.

NameInformationData sourceData considerations (in terms of estimating credit supply)Update frequency
Biodiversity Credits Demand and Supply DashboardInteractive dashboard showing ecosystem and species credits created under Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements.
Also shows credit demand information (see 'credits in demand' tab)
Credit supply data comes from approved Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements

Scope:

  • does not include credits generated using the Biodiversity Banking Assessment Methodology
  • does not identify hollow-bearing tree credits

Accuracy:

  • some credits may already be committed for sale
Daily (supply data)
Credits supply register

Searchable statutory register showing:

  • existing Biodiversity Assessment Method ecosystem and species credits that are, or may be, for sale
  • Biodiversity Assessment Method ecosystem and species credits that landholders are willing to create and offer for sale
  • contact details of people selling these credits
Data is sourced from current and potential Biodiversity Assessment Method credit holders

Scope:

  • does not capture BioBanking Assessment Method credits, except where voluntarily listed as 'Biodiversity Assessment Method-equivalent'

Accuracy:

  • information about credits that landholders are willing to create may not accurately reflect the number of credits that could be created
  • information is likely to be accurate at the point in time it was collected, but some credits may have already been sold or committed for sale after the information was published
Updated in real-time
Credits Near Me NSW appAn app that spatially shows the potential types of non-threatened ecosystem credits in the landscape across New South Wales. See also 'Credits in demand' tab for further information regarding the demand component of this toolData is sourced from plant community type and offset trading group vegetation mapping on the SEED data portal

Scope:

  • does not include species credits
  • does not include threatened ecological community credits
  • does not include hollow-bearing tree credits

Accuracy:

  • does not quantify the potential number of credits
  • based on regional scale mapping, which means that potential credits may not be present at a property scale
Updated from time to time when the underlying vegetation mapping is updated
Biodiversity Credits Catalogue

Document showing:

  • advertisements for ecosystem and species credits available for sale (as provided by credit sellers)
  • contact details of people selling these credits
Any credit holder can provide information on credits for sale

Scope:

  • may not capture all credits for sale
  • other data sources may also contain this information

Accuracy:

  • information is provided by credit sellers, and buyers are encouraged to confirm information through other sources
  • relies on credit sellers to update information ahead of each edition if credits are sold
Updated every 6 months

Information about credits that may be in demand

These information sources provide insight into whether specific types of credits may be in demand. Demand is split into:

  • current demand – where a person may be looking to buy particular credits now
  • future demand – where a person may be looking to buy credits in the future.
NameInformationData sourceData considerations (in terms of estimating credit demand)Update frequency
Current demand
Biodiversity Credits Demand and Supply DashboardInteractive dashboard showing ecosystem and species credit obligations for approved major projects. The tool excludes credits which have already been retired
Also shows credit supply information (see 'credits available' tab)
Credit demand data comes from the conditions of consent for approved major projects (State Significant Development and State Significant Infrastructure)
Demand data current to 31 October 2023

Scope:

  • does not include credit obligations for local development
  • does not include biodiversity credits from the previous scheme which are Biodiversity Banking Assessment Method credits

Accuracy:

  • demand information is not updated in real-time
  • some credits may have been retired using Biodiversity Banking Assessment Method credits or approved projects may not commence
Updated from time to time (demand data)
Credit demand register

Searchable register showing:

  • the number, type and location of Biodiversity Assessment Method credits needed by buyers now or in the future
  • contact details of people wanting to buy these credits
Data is sourced directly from potential buyers, on a voluntary basis

Scope:

  • may not capture all credit demand (voluntary listings)

Accuracy:

  • accuracy is dependent on the information submitted by potential buyers
  • register is updated in real-time when credits are listed, but relies on users updating their information, so the buyer may have already purchased credits or used another option to meet a credit obligation
Updated in real-time
Credit Supply Taskforce current in-demand credits list

A list showing:

  • the type of Biodiversity Assessment Method ecosystem, threatened ecological community, and species credits needed by buyers now or in the future
  • areas with high current or upcoming demand for these credits
Data is sourced directly from potential buyers via the Credits Supply Taskforce credit demand expression of interest

Scope:

  • may not capture all demand for credits because not all proponents will express interest to purchase credits with the Credits Supply Taskforce

Accuracy:

  • accuracy dependent on the information submitted by potential buyers
  • information is likely to be accurate at the point in time it was collected, but some of the demand for these credits may have been met after the information was published
Updated at least 6 monthly
Credit Supply Taskforce current in-demand credits mapA searchable map showing the potential location of in-demand Biodiversity Assessment Method ecosystem creditsData on in-demand credits is sourced directly from potential buyers via the Credits Supply Taskforce's credit demand expression of interest. Data on the potential location of potential supply is based on the is based on the NSW state vegetation type map.

Scope:

  • does not display potential locations of threatened ecological communities (except if recognised as plant community types) or species credits and does not distinguish between hollow-bearing tree credits and non-hollow bearing tree credits
  • may not capture all demand for ecosystem credits in each area
Updated at least 6 monthly
Biodiversity Conservation Trust wanted credits listSearchable register showing the Biodiversity Assessment Method ecosystem and species credits that the Biodiversity Conservation Trust is looking to buyData is sourced directly from the Biodiversity Conservation Trust via its Credit Offer Portal

Scope:

  • captures demand from credit obligations that have been met by a payment to the Biodiversity Conservation Fund
Updated at least 6 monthly
Biodiversity Conservation Fund Charge quote reportsA report showing details of quotes issued under the Biodiversity Conservation Fund Charge system and payments into the Biodiversity Conservation Fund.
This information is indicative of demand from potential buyers or the Biodiversity Conservation Trust
Data directly from Biodiversity Conservation Fund Charge quotes and payments into the Biodiversity Conservation Fund

Scope:

  • does not capture all credit demand

Accuracy:

  • some quotes may not result in a payment to the Biodiversity Conservation Fund or demand from potential buyers
Updated every 3 months
Credits Near Me NSW appAn app that shows indicative demand for non-threatened ecosystem credits that may exist in the landscapeDemand data is sourced from the Biodiversity Offset Scheme credit demand register and the Credits Supply Taskforce's current In-demand credit list

Scope:

  • does not capture the potential demand of species credits
  • does not capture the potential supply of for threatened ecological communities or hollow-bearing tree ecosystem credits
  • does not include all sources of demand for credits

Accuracy:

  • does not quantify supply of or demand for credits
  • may understate demand for credits
Updated from time to time
Future demand
Longer-term ecosystem credit demand estimateWeb and Excel report estimating the type and number of Biodiversity Assessment Method ecosystem credits that major projects in the early stage of the planning approval process (before a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report has been prepared) would need to offset their impacts on a like-for-like basisData is sourced from publicly available information about the footprints of major projects in the major projects Planning Portal and several other data sources referenced in the method summary

Scope:

  • does not capture all future credit demand (major projects only at early stage of planning process)
  • does not include BioBanking credits, species credits, hollow-bearing tree credits or threatened ecological communities

Accuracy:

  • high levels of uncertainty due to potential for development footprints to change, accuracy of mapping inputs and method assumptions
Updated from time to time
Nearer-term ecosystem credit demand estimateWeb and Excel report estimating the type and number of Biodiversity Assessment Method ecosystem credits for major projects in the planning approval process that have prepared a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report, but are yet to be determined, would need to offset their impacts on a like-for-like basisData is sourced from Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports for major projects, and from Biodiversity Assessment Method Calculator credit obligation data

Scope:

  • does not capture all future credit demand
  • does not include BioBanking credits, species credits, hollow-bearing tree credits or threatened ecological communities
  • only includes major projects that have prepared a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report, but are yet to be determined

Accuracy:

  • some uncertainty about if and when projects will be approved and whether consent conditions will alter the credit requirement from the Biodiversity Development Assessment Report
Updated from time to time

Information about credit prices

The market tools below provide information about past market transactions from various sources. These include the Biodiversity Offset Scheme market, the former scheme BioBanking Assessment Methodology market and credits purchased through the Biodiversity Conservation Fund and Biodiversity Credits Supply Fund.

NameInformationData sourceData consideration (in terms of estimating credit prices)Update frequency
Biodiversity credit pricing guideDocument that provides guidance for pricing biodiversity credits created under the NSW Biodiversity Offsets SchemeN/A

Scope:

  • covers typical considerations for pricing credits
Updated from time to time
Credit transactions registerSearchable register with information about historical Biodiversity Assessment Method credit transactions including sales, transfers and retirements, suspensions and cancellationsData is sourced from the Biodiversity Offsets and Agreement Management System

Scope

  • excludes BioBanking Assessment Methodology credits and credit equivalence transactions

Accuracy

  • may not reflect a typical price discovery process as some credit sales are between related parties (for example, where the seller company is owned by the buyer) or may be 'self-trades' where the buyer and seller are the same
  • some credit prices are based on an average price per credit where the seller has sold various types of credits in bulk, rather than pricing each credit individually
Updated in real-time when a transaction is registered by the department. The typical timeframe to process a transfer or retirement application is 3–4 weeks
Biodiversity Credits Market Sales DashboardInteractive dashboard with a market overview of historical sales data for Biodiversity Assessment Method creditsData is sourced from the credits transaction register

Scope

  • excludes BioBanking Assessment Methodology credits

Accuracy

  • may not reflect a typical price discovery process as some credit sales are between related parties (for example, where the seller company is owned by the buyer) or may be 'self-trades' where the buyer and seller are the same
  • some credit prices are based on an average price per credit where the seller has sold various types of credits in bulk, rather than pricing each credit individually
Updated in real-time based on the transactions register
BioBanking Biodiversity Credit Sales dashboard

Interactive dashboard with:

  • a market overview of historical sales data for BioBanking Assessment Methodology credits
  • the number and/or status of BioBanking agreements
Data is sourced from the BioBanking Assessment Methodology credit transactions and sales register

Scope

  • excludes Biodiversity Assessment Method credits

Accuracy

  • may not reflect a typical price discovery process as some credit sales are between related parties (for example, where the buyer owns the seller company) or may be 'self-trades' where the buyer and seller are the same
  • some credit prices are based on an average price per credit where the seller has sold various types of credits in bulk, rather than pricing each credit individually
Updated in real-time
BioBanking Biodiversity Credit Transactions and Sales registerSearchable register with historical BioBanking Assessment Methodology credit transactions including sales, transfers, retirements, suspensions and cancellationsData is sourced from the BioBanking Information Management System

Scope

  • excludes Biodiversity Assessment Method credits

Accuracy

  • may not reflect a typical price discovery process as some credit sales are between related parties (for example, where the buyer owns the seller company) or may be 'self-trades' where the buyer and seller are the same
  • some credit prices are based on an average price per credit where the seller has sold various types of credits in bulk, rather than pricing each credit individually
Updated in real-time
Biodiversity Conservation Fund Charge quote reportsPDF report setting out details of quotes issued under the Biodiversity Conservation Fund Charge system and payments into the Biodiversity Conservation FundData directly from Biodiversity Conservation Fund Charge quotes

Scope:

  • does not capture all credit demand
  • captures all credit types
  • does not include the delivery fee and risk premium charge on top of the credit price

Accuracy

  • unless a buyer has paid into the Biodiversity Conservation Fund, the charge presented in the report does not necessarily reflect the actual cost to the buyer of acquitting their offset obligation
  • charges may not reflect the current market trade prices
Updated every 3 months
Biodiversity Conservation Trust statewide credit tender outcomes reportsA report setting out outcomes of credit tenders run by the Biodiversity Conservation Trust to secure biodiversity credits to meet their obligations, including aggregated information about pricing for existing and future creditsData is sourced from the results of the Biodiversity Conservation Trust's statewide credit tenders

Scope

  • tenders are limited to credits on the Biodiversity Conservation Trust's wanted credits list

Accuracy

  • not all bids accepted by the Biodiversity Conservation Trust proceed successfully to a credit purchase or at the agreed volume
Updated following each tender, usually every 6 months
Biodiversity Credits Supply Fund market updateA market update document covering key outcomes from the Supply Fund's operations, including reverse auctions, information on how auctions are run, the Credit Supply Fund's role in the market, and information on credits approved for purchase by the Credit Supply FundData is sourced from results of the Credits Supply Taskforce’s reverse auctions (transaction information also appears on public registers)

Scope:

  • summary of credits approved for purchase by the Supply Fund, including weighted average prices

Accuracy:

  • not all credits approved for purchase proceed to a credit purchase or at the agreed volume
Updated after each reverse auction, usually every 4 months