JavaScript is required
Two authorised officers inspecting a forestry coupe

Forest audits

Each year between 2019 and 2024, we completed an independent environmental audit. The audit assesses VicForests’ timber harvesting operations against the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014. 

Commercial native timber harvesting ceased in Victoria’s State forests on 1 January 2024.

Find more information on the Forestry Transition Program website

Between 2019 and 2024 the Conservation Regulator was responsible for regulating commercial timber harvesting in Victoria.

The Conservation Regulator’s Forest Audit Program added to the continuous improvement of timber harvesting practices and regulation, using the findings to create targets for its proactive Coupe Inspection Program and future environmental audits.

We continue to be committed to making the audit reports and responses publicly available.

Find previous audits on the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action website

Report into the 2023 Forest Audit Program

The 2023 audit looked at 32 coupes harvested across Eastern Victoria during the 2021/22 financial year.

Report into the 2023 Forest Audit Program
Word 31.78 MB
(opens in a new window)

Report into the 2022 Forest Audit Program

The 2022 audit looked at 32 coupes harvested across Eastern Victoria during the 2020/21 financial year.

Report into the 2022 Forest Audit Program
Word 48.22 MB
(opens in a new window)
DEECA Response FAP 2022
Word 206.26 KB
(opens in a new window)
VicForests Response to the 2022 Forest Audit Program
PDF 420.74 KB
(opens in a new window)

Report into the 2021 Forest Audit Program

The 2021 audit looked at 30 coupes harvested across Eastern Victoria during the 2019/20 financial year.

Report into the 2020/21 Forest Audit Program
Word 26.63 MB
(opens in a new window)
DELWP Response to the 2020/21 Forest Audit Program
Word 197.26 KB
(opens in a new window)
VicForests Response to the 2020/21 Forest Audit Program
PDF 697.28 KB
(opens in a new window)

Report into the 2019/20 Forest Audit Program

The 2019/20 audit looked at 30 coupes harvested across Victoria during the 2018/19 financial year. This includes 15 coupes located in Western Victoria.

Report on the 2019-20 Forest Audit Program
Word 36.44 MB
(opens in a new window)

Report into the 2018/19 Forest Audit Program

The 2018/19 audit looked at 30 coupes harvested across Eastern Victoria during the 2017/18 financial year. It also looked at the regeneration and rehabilitation of 10 coupes in Eastern Victoria harvested before 2017/18.

Report on the 2018/19 Forest Audit Program
Word 23.45 MB
(opens in a new window)
DELWP Response to 2018/19 Forest Audit Program
Word 183.39 KB
(opens in a new window)
VicForests Response to 2018/19 Forest Audit Program
PDF 251.8 KB
(opens in a new window)

Delivering audit recommendations, and environmental conformance: Forest Audit Program 2016 – 2022

The Conservation Regulator has reviewed the status of the audit recommendations from 2016 to 2022. We produced a yearly summary of timber harvesting activity conformance, across this period.

Acquittal of audit recommendations and overall environmental conformance - Forest Audit Program 2016 - 2022
Word 184.9 KB
(opens in a new window)

Updated