The Governor - General can proclaim Commonwealth reserves over areas of land or sea:

  (a)   that the Commonwealth owns; or

  (b)   that the Commonwealth or the Director leases; or

  (c)   that are in a Commonwealth marine area; or

  (d)   outside Australia that the Commonwealth has international obligations to protect.

A Proclamation must assign the reserve to a particular category that affects how the reserve is managed and used.

Proclamations can be made to alter and revoke reserves.

The Director must consult publicly before some Proclamations are made.