The National Land & Water Resources Audit (the Audit) was established in 1997 under the Natural Heritage Trust Act. The Audit collates data and information, and contextual social and economic information, on the status of Australia's natural resources.

The information is used to identify Australia's natural resource management priorities and to support the evaluation of current and future natural resource management investments, such as land use and restorative programs.

The Audit also assesses and aims to improve the extent, quality and timeliness of data and information and works in partnership with all states and territories and the Australian Government to establish a nationally-coordinated approach.

To date the Audit has provided major advances in strategic knowledge about the condition and management of our nation's natural resources to support sustainable development.