Lily Cochrane, Boyce Sustainability Manager
Australia’s carbon market is changing, and for the better. A new draft method called the Integrated Farm and Land Management (IFLM) framework is being introduced by the Australian Government to make it easier for farmers to earn carbon credits. Whether you run a large grazing operation or a small family farm, this could be your opportunity to get involved in carbon farming without the red tape and complexity that’s held many back.
Here’s what you need to know.
What Is the IFLM Framework?
The IFLM method is part of the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme. It’s the first method that allows farmers to combine multiple carbon-storing activities on the same property under one project. That means you can now earn carbon credits for doing things like:
More activities – like soil carbon – are expected to be added in the future.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
Until now, if you wanted to run a carbon project, you could only do one activity per block of land. Each project needed its own audit, paperwork, and approval. That made it expensive and complicated, especially for smaller farms.
The IFLM method changes that. It lets you “stack” different activities into one project, with one audit and one set of paperwork. That means lower costs, less hassle, and more flexibility.
How Does It Work?
The IFLM method uses an existing tool called the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) to estimate how much carbon your land is storing. There are two ways to do this:
Some activities, like regenerating forest on suppressed land, will need the hybrid approach to make sure the carbon credits are accurate and trustworthy.
What’s in It for You?
Here’s how the IFLM method could benefit your farm:
| Feature | What It Means for You |
| Combine activities | Run multiple carbon projects on the same land – e.g. tree planting and natural regeneration – under one umbrella |
| Lower costs | One audit and one report instead of several – saves time and money |
| Flexibility | Choose the activities that suit your land and operation best |
| Transfer existing projects | If you already have a carbon project, you may be able to move it into the IFLM method and expand it |
| Long-term income | Projects run for 25 years, giving you a steady stream of carbon credits to sell or use |
| Market access | High-integrity credits are in demand, especially with big companies needing to offset emissions under the Safeguard Mechanism |
| Productivity | Being able to combine vegetation and soil activities on the same land can create more robust and integrated carbon outcomes for your soil. |
| Whole of farm approach | It supports a whole‑farm approach, a far more practical reflection of how farmers manage land compared to the old “single‑method” system. |
Commercial Opportunity
The IFLM method is expected to unlock a new wave of carbon farming activity. The wait for IFLM has “halted a lot of new carbon farming activity”, with analysts noting it will be “integral to supply of credits towards the end of the decade”.
That means landholders who act early may be well placed to benefit from growing demand for high-integrity Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), especially as more companies face pressure to reduce emissions under the Safeguard Mechanism.
Is It Right for Your Farm?
The IFLM method is designed to work for all types of farms – from large-scale grazing properties to smaller mixed farms. If you’ve got land that’s been cleared or where regrowth has been held back (by grazing, chemicals, or other means), you might be eligible to earn credits by changing how you manage it.
Even if you’ve never looked into carbon farming before, this new method is designed to be more accessible.
What’s Next?
The draft IFLM method has just finished public consultation. The final version is expected to be released later in 2026. Once it’s approved, you’ll be able to register projects under the new rules.
In the meantime, it’s a good idea to:
How Boyce Can Help
At Boyce, we’re here to help you understand what the IFLM framework means for your farm and how you can take advantage of it.
We offer tailored assessments to determine whether your property is suitable for carbon or biodiversity projects. Using government-approved tools and your land’s Lot and DP numbers, we can provide a detailed report on your land’s potential for carbon credit generation.
Whether you’re just starting to explore carbon farming or ready to take the next step, we’re here to guide you through the process.
Get in contact with us today if you’d like to discuss further.
