DOC’s law enforcement policies
DOC has policies that guide how we deal with breaches of conservation law. These policies explain how we make decisions when conservation laws are broken.

Enforcement Policy

This policy: 

  • explains DOC’s role in enforcing conservation laws
  • outlines what may happen if people don’t follow conservation laws
  • guides DOC staff when deciding what, if any, enforcement action to take
  • does not cover decisions about prosecuting offences

Enforcement Policy (PDF, 582K)

Prosecution Policy

This policy explains how DOC decides whether to take a case to Court. It sets out the principles and processes we follow when:

  • deciding whether to start a prosecution (including for infringement offences)
  • considering alternatives to prosecution (such as warnings or infringement notices)
  • responding to disputed infringement notices
  • deciding whether to appeal court decisions from DOC prosecutions

These decisions are based on the available evidence and the public interest, and follow the Solicitor-General's Prosecution Guidelines.

2026 Prosecution Policy (PDF, 326K)

National Compliance Strategy

This strategy sets out DOC’s national compliance priorities (currently under review as part of the Regulatory Modernisation Programme).

National Compliance Strategy (PDF, 1,510K)