The short answer
It is illegal to import illegally logged timber into Australia, and importers of regulated timber products must carry out due diligence to reduce that risk. The law is the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012. It was reformed by amendments passed in 2024 and the new Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024, which came into force on 3 March 2025 (DAFF).
For a flooring retailer, builder or installer, the practical question is usually not "do I need a due diligence system?" but "can my supplier show me the oak was legally sourced?" That's what this guide covers.
What the law does
The framework does three main things: it prohibits importing and processing illegally logged timber, it requires importers of regulated timber products to carry out due diligence, and it gives the regulator powers to monitor and enforce compliance (DAFF).
| Element | What it means | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Import prohibition | Illegally logged timber must not be imported | Importers |
| Processing prohibition | Illegally logged raw logs must not be processed | Domestic processors of raw logs |
| Due diligence | A documented system to gather information, assess and reduce risk | Importers of regulated timber products; processors of raw logs |
| Regulated timber products | A defined list of product types the due diligence rules cover | Check the current list on the DAFF site |
| Compliance and enforcement | Monitoring, information requests and penalties | Regulated businesses |
The exact requirements and the regulated product list are in the Act and the Rules, and DAFF's guidance explains them. This page is a plain-English overview, not legal advice.
What changed in 2025
From 3 March 2025, the reformed framework replaced the previous regulations with the Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024 and strengthened the regulator's tools. In broad terms, the reforms aimed to make due diligence more consistent and rigorous, and to make enforcement more effective (DAFF). Importers that set up systems under the old rules should review them against the current Rules and guidance.
What due diligence means
Due diligence is a documented process an importer follows for each regulated product: gather information about the timber and its supply chain, assess the risk that it was illegally logged, and take steps to reduce any risk that isn't low. It is a system, not a single certificate.
- Gather information – species, country (and where relevant region) of harvest, supplier details, quantities and supporting documents.
- Assess risk – consider the country and supply chain, the species, the documentation and any certification or legality framework that applies.
- Mitigate risk – where risk isn't low, obtain more information, verification or audits, or don't proceed.
- Keep records – document what was done so it can be shown to the regulator if asked.
Third-party certification such as FSC or PEFC can be useful evidence in steps 1–3, but it doesn't replace the importer's obligations. See FSC and PEFC certification explained.
Who is responsible in a typical oak flooring supply chain
The importer of regulated timber products carries the due diligence obligation; businesses further down the chain rely on that importer's system and documentation.
| Your situation | Typical position under the law | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| You import oak flooring yourself | You are the importer – the obligations apply to you | Set up and run a due diligence system |
| You buy from an Australian supplier's stock | The importer holds the obligation | Ask your supplier for documentation for your order |
| You specify flooring for a project | You don't import, but clients may ask about legality | Include legality and documentation in the specification |
| You're a homeowner | Not regulated | Ask your flooring business where the timber came from |
Timbo supplies trade partners from Melbourne stock, so partners don't need to import containers themselves. Ask Timbo for the documentation available for your order.
What to ask Timbo (and any supplier)
Ask for documentation for your specific order, not a generic statement. Useful questions:
- What species is it, and in which country was it harvested?
- What documentation is available for this order?
- Is the product sold with a certification claim (such as FSC or PEFC) on the invoice? If so, what is the certificate code?
- Who is the importer of record?
- Can you provide product information for the specification or handover file?
Timbo's position: we won't claim a certificate or document unless we can provide it for your order. Ask Timbo for documentation for your order by emailing partnerships@timbo.com.au.
Why it matters for selling European oak
Clear provenance is a selling point. Imported engineered wood products are under scrutiny – one industry analysis found China supplies 43% of Australia's engineered wood product imports (Wood Central) – and architects, developers and commercial clients increasingly ask where timber comes from. A partner who can answer clearly, with documents, wins trust. Europe's own rules are also tightening; see EUDR and European oak.
For specifiers, add a legality clause to the flooring specification – our architects' specification guide includes a template. For a background on Timbo's products, see European oak floorboards and why partners choose Timbo.
What to keep on file
Keep the supplier's documentation with each job, alongside the invoice and product data. It costs nothing and answers most questions before they become problems. A simple job file for an oak floor might hold:
| Document | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Supplier invoice with product description | Links the floor to a specific order |
| Species and country-of-harvest information | Answers provenance questions from clients and specifiers |
| Any certification claim and certificate code | Lets the client verify the claim independently |
| Product data or specification sheet | Supports handover and future maintenance |
| Finish and adhesive data sheets | Needed for care, repairs and warranties from those makers |
Builders and developers working on larger projects often need this for handover or sustainability reporting, and flooring retailers increasingly get the question from homeowners too.
Sources
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Illegal logging: agriculture.gov.au
- Wood Central – Engineered wood product imports and elevated risk: woodcentral.com.au
Frequently asked questions
Is timber flooring covered by the illegal logging laws?
Many imported wood products, including common timber flooring categories, are regulated timber products under the Illegal Logging Prohibition framework. Check the current list of regulated products on the DAFF website.
What changed on 3 March 2025?
The 2024 amendments and the Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024 commenced, replacing the earlier regulations and strengthening the framework, including the due diligence requirements for importers (DAFF).
I buy oak flooring from an Australian supplier. Do I need a due diligence system?
Generally the obligations fall on the importer of the regulated product. If you import directly yourself, they apply to you. If you buy stock already in Australia, ask your supplier for documentation for your order and keep it on file.
Can Timbo provide documentation for my project?
Ask Timbo. Tell us the order and what your client or specifier needs, and we'll let you know what documentation is available for that order.
Does FSC or PEFC certification replace due diligence?
No. Certification can be useful information within a due diligence system, but it does not replace the importer's legal obligations. See our FSC and PEFC guide.
Where can I read the official rules?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) publishes the Act, the Rules, guidance and the list of regulated timber products on its illegal logging pages.