The Authority is established under the Marine Park Act as an Australian Government statutory authority. The objects of the Marine Park Act are set out in section 2A and the specific functions of the Authority are defined in sections 7 and 7A.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park consists of areas declared by the Great Barrier Reef (Declaration of Amalgamated Marine Park Area) Proclamation 2004 made under the Marine Park Act.

Other Acts administered by the Authority are:

• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Environmental Management Charge—Excise) Act 1993
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Environmental Management Charge—General) Act 1993.

Regulations in force under the Marine Park Act:

• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 2019.

The Authority also administers the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003 and the following plans of management:

• Cairns Area Plan of Management 1998
• Hinchinbrook Plan of Management 2004
• Shoalwater Bay (Dugong) Plan of Management 1997
• Whitsundays Plan of Management 1998.

Following amendments to the Marine Park Act, which commenced on 29 October 2018, the Authority’s Board consists of seven members — a part-time Chairperson, five other part-time members and the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority.

The Chief Executive Officer is also the accountable authority of the agency for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act), and the agency head for the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999.

As at 30 June 2019, three of the five part-time members had been appointed to the Authority Board. Prior to 29 October 2018, the Authority’s Board consisted of four part-time members and a full-time Chairperson who was also the accountable authority for the purposes of the PGPA Act and the agency head for the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999.

Amendments to legislation during 2018-19

Amendments to the Marine Park Act commenced on 29 October 2018.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 2019 commenced on 1 April 2019.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983 and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Aquaculture) Regulations 2000 were repealed on 1 April 2019.