November 2025
The Senate Select Committee on PFAS has today released its Final Report into the extent, regulation and management of PFAS contamination across Australia. This landmark document – nearly 400 pages in length – represents the most comprehensive national review yet of PFAS impacts on human health, waterways, wildlife, communities and public infrastructure.
The Concerned Waterways Alliance (CWA) welcomes the release of the report and is pleased to see multiple references to our submission, including the concerns raised about PFAS impacts on waterways, the need for improved water monitoring, and stronger national coordination. These contributions have helped ensure that community-driven evidence and perspectives are embedded within the Committee’s findings and recommendations.
We are also proud to acknowledge the important work of CWA member, Ms Tracey Anton, whose evidence and technical analysis supported the case for stronger protections for waterways and communities affected by PFAS contamination. Her contribution, grounded in experience from Friends of Latrobe Water and broader Latrobe Valley waterway advocacy, provided valuable insight into the environmental and public health risks associated with PFAS pollution and the gaps in current monitoring and regulatory systems.
What the Final Report Covers
The Committee’s report investigates PFAS contamination across a wide range of settings, including:
1. Human Health Impacts
The report compiles Australian and international evidence on the health effects of PFAS exposure, including:
- Elevated cholesterol
- Kidney function impacts
- Changes in immune and hormonal function
- Possible links to rare cancers
- Deep psychological distress experienced by affected communities
It also analyses large-scale research efforts such as the ANU PFAS Health Study and the ABS National Health Measures Survey, providing new national baseline data.
2. Impacts on Waterways and Ecosystems
Of particular significance to CWA members, the report dedicates considerable attention to the ecological impacts of PFAS, including:
- Bioaccumulation in aquatic species
- Contamination of rivers, estuaries and marine environments
- The role of stormwater, synthetic turf run-off and wastewater pathways
- The need for enhanced monitoring in Australia’s freshwater and marine environments
These sections strongly align with issues raised in the CWA submission, particularly around the lack of adequate water quality monitoring and the need for national PFAS mapping.
3. First Nations Impacts
The report highlights the disproportionate burden of PFAS contamination on First Nations communities, including Wreck Bay and Katherine. It calls for culturally appropriate health services, improved access to safe food and water, and ongoing self-determination in remediation efforts.
4. Firefighting Foam Legacy
The Committee emphasises the critical need to:
- Fully phase out PFAS-containing firefighting foams
- Remediate contaminated fire stations and training sites
- Provide medical screening and support for affected firefighters
5. Water Supplies and Treatment
The report includes a detailed examination of PFAS in drinking water, recommending:
- A national taskforce for PFAS management in water supplies
- Consistent monitoring and reporting across jurisdictions
- Support for water authorities to meet new testing and treatment standards
- Revision of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
6. Waste Streams and Agriculture
The report assesses PFAS contamination in wastewater, biosolids, landfill, pesticides and agricultural soils, calling for stricter standards and clearer guidance for farmers and councils.
7. Regulatory Gaps and the Need for National Coordination
A strong theme of the report is the fragmentation of regulatory responsibility, with recommendations for:
- A new national PFAS coordinating body
- Stronger powers for regulators
- Enhanced chemical assessment processes
- Clearer product labelling and bans on PFAS-containing imports
- A national PFAS contamination map
Where the CWA Submission Was Referenced
Throughout the report, the Committee acknowledges concerns raised by community groups, including CWA, on matters such as:
- The lack of consistent PFAS testing in waterways
- The combined effects of stormwater, biosolids and industrial discharge on aquatic systems
- The need for a nationally integrated monitoring framework
- The importance of transparent public reporting
These references reinforce the value of community-led advocacy and ensure that the voices of waterway groups are present in policy reform discussions.
The CWA submission can be found here: https://concernedwaterwaysalliance.org/cwa-submission-to-the-australian-senate-select-committee-on-pfas/
A Strong Call for National Action
The Final Report includes 47 significant recommendations, many of which align closely with the requests that CWA and other environmental organisations have long been making. These include:
- A national PFAS environmental monitoring program
- A national PFAS contamination map
- Support for remediation of contaminated waterways and sites
- Upgraded Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
- Stricter controls on PFAS in consumer products
- Compensation and health support for impacted communities
Taken together, these recommendations represent a long-overdue shift toward a coordinated, precautionary national approach.
CWA Response and Next Steps
CWA will now review the recommendations in detail. We will continue to advocate for:
- Stronger waterway protections
- Transparent PFAS monitoring
- Equitable support for affected communities
- Rapid implementation of the report’s recommendations
We extend our gratitude to everyone involved in the CWA submission, and especially to Ms Tracey Anton for her leadership and technical contribution to this important national inquiry.