The Species Profile and Threats Database (SPRAT) is the Australian Government's authoritative public database of species, threatened ecological communities and other biodiversity related matters listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
SPRAT is maintained by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and supports environmental decision-making, conservation planning and public understanding of biodiversity protection in Australia.
What information does SPRAT contain?
SPRAT can tell you:
- which species and threatened ecological communities are listed under the EPBC Act
- which migratory species are protected under the EPBC Act and international agreements
- about taxonomy and naming of listed species including other scientific names and common names
- which threats are key threatening processes under the EPBC Act
- which species, ecological communities and key threatening processes are being assessed for inclusion under the Act (Finalised Priority Assessment List)
- which conservation documents apply to a listed species or ecological community, including recovery plans, conservation advice, threat abatement and other conservation plans
- where a species or ecological community is likely to occur based on indicative distribution maps
- what are the areas of registered critical habitat
- what key ecological features are identified in Commonwealth marine areas
- state and territory listing status for species
- species status on international and non-statutory lists
Limitations of SPRAT
- Distribution maps are indicative only. They model where species habitat or ecological communities are likely or may occur, but they do not confirm the presence or absence of a species at a specific location. A species may occur outside the mapped area, may no longer be present or use the mapped habitat intermittently. The Species of National Environmental Significance dataset contains spatial distributions for EPBC Act listed species. Threatened ecological communities data can also be downloaded.
- Information may not always be complete or current. Changes to Commonwealth legislation are updated in SPRAT on, or within a day of a change coming into effect. However, there can be a delay in sourcing and updating similar data from states and territories. This information is included for reference but must be verified with the relevant State or Territory government agency.
- Species names may have changed since listing. Where a name has changed after listing, SPRAT shows both the current accepted name and the name used at the time of listing. Check both names when searching or cross-referencing other sources.
- SPRAT is not a substitute for a protected matters assessment. To identify protected matters in a particular area, use the Protected Matters Search Tool as a starting point and seek advice from DCCEEW. SPRAT alone is not sufficient to determine whether a referral is required under the EPBC Act.
The Australian Government does not guarantee that information in SPRAT is complete or up to date. You should consider all available sources when making decisions.
How is the information kept up to date?
DCCEEW updates SPRAT when EPBC Act lists are amended, conservation documents come into effect, and when significant new scientific information becomes available. The database is updated regularly, but there may sometimes be a delay between a change occurring and it being reflected in SPRAT.
Who uses SPRAT?
SPRAT is used by a wide range of people, including:
- environmental consultants and developers assessing impacts on matters of national environmental significance
- researchers and scientists studying threatened species and ecosystems
- government agencies at all levels making planning and regulatory decisions
- conservation managers and natural resource management organisations
- members of the public who want to learn about Australia's threatened species and ecological communities
Getting help
If you cannot find what you are looking for, or have a question about the data in SPRAT, Contact us