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Land use

Land uses have a major effect on Australia's natural resources through their impacts on water, soil, nutrients, plants and animals. There is also a strong link between changing patterns of land use and economic and social conditions, particularly in regional Australia.

A summary of Australia's land use is provided in Land Use in Austral​ia​ at a Glan​ce PDF​ [1.11 MB, 4 pages].​​

What is land use?

Land use information shows how our land resources are used. This includes the production of goods (such as crops, timber and manufactures) and services (such as defence, recreation, biodiversity and natural resources protection).

There is often confusion between the terms 'land use' and 'land cover' because of the common use of remotely sensed data (either satellite or airborne) for mapping. The distinction between land use and land management practice is also poorly understood.

Examples of ALUM land use classes

Australia's Land Use

​​​Land use mapping in Australia is conducted broadly at two scales: national scale and catchment scale.

The map and area statistics below show national scale land use mapping for Australia for 2020–21.

Catchment scale mapping can be viewed via the Digital Atlas of Australia. This mapping has been completed across the country for different time periods.​ ​

Both national scale and catchment scale land use datasets can be accessed via the data download page. Detailed information about how Australia's land use is mapped is available on the Mapping technical​ specifications page.

Land use of Australia 2020-21 by ALUM secondary land use

National scale land use (based on Land Use of Australia 2010–11 to 2020–21 ABARES 2024)

Land use in 2020–21Area (sq. km)Percent (%)
Nature conservation721,6409.4
Managed resource protection1,511,73719.6
Other minimal use829,88510.8
Grazing native vegetation3,333,85943.3
Production native forests86,0761.1
Plantation forests (commercial and other)23,4240.3
Grazing modified pastures477,0456.2
Dryland cropping358,8214.7
Dryland horticulture1,2000.02
Irrigated pastures6,5080.1
Irrigated cropping14,4750.2
Irrigated horticulture7,2140.1
Intensive horticulture and animal production1,3460.02
Rural residential and farm infrastructure22,4980.3
Urban residential

15,587

0.2

Other intensive uses

10,954

0.14

Mining and waste6,9700.09
Water266,9003.5
Total7,696,138100

Numbers may not tally due to rounding. 

Links and downloads

Land Use Information for Australia brochure

Land Use in​ Australia at a Glance​​​

Catchment Scale Land Use on the National Map​

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Page last updated: 28 November 2024

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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