Australia's new independent National Environmental Protection Agency will launch into action on Wednesday, beginning a new era of protection for Australia's natural environment.

The National EPA, the first in Australia’s history, underpins the Albanese Government’s landmark environmental law reforms, which were passed in December last year.

It is a key plank in the reforms' promise to strengthen environmental protections and speed up the approval of critical housing, energy and minerals projects.

In just over six months, the National EPA has gone from a long-held ambition to a reality supported by more than $250 million in funding over the next two years.

From July 1, the National EPA will be a modern and effective regulator that helps people understand Australia’s environmental laws and makes sure those laws are followed.

These include the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and laws regulating sea dumping, ozone protection and synthetic greenhouse gas management, hazardous waste, product emissions standards, recycling and waste reduction and underwater cultural heritage.

The role of the National EPA will include issuing permits and licences, environmental assessments and approvals, compliance and enforcement activities and the assurance, monitoring and auditing of the operation of accreditations, bilateral agreements and bioregional plans under the EPBC Act.

It will also improve the consistency, transparency, and integrity of environmental decision-making at the national level.