[2] It supersedes the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, and commenced on 25 August 2017.

[3][4] The purpose of the Act was to effect biodiversity reform in New South Wales, in particular to provide better environmental outcomes and reduce burdensome regulations.

As of May 2021[update] and since mid-2019, the BC Act is administered by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

[7] Under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, the Scientific Committee has declared various threatened species including the alpine she-oak skink (Cyclodomorphus praealtus) and the alpine tree frog (Litoria verreauxii alpina),[8] while the Scientific Committee has determined "Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub" to be a critically endangered ecological community.

[9] The main functions of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee include:[6]