Over the past decade, substantial resources have been invested in a range of focal species-based restoration projects in Western Australia, Victoria, NSW, ACT and Queensland, typically as partnerships between government and community-based organisations. Despite this, there has been no national-scale evaluation of the application and performance of these projects in conserving the biodiversity of fragmented agricultural ecosystems. This is essential to determine the utility and efficacy of the focal species approach as a practical conservation tool, improve knowledge and adoption outcomes, and help inform and guide strategic R&D investment. The following information outlines the objectives of this review and overviews the focal species approach (FSA) in Australia - its history, key features and current trends, the scientific debate, alternative approaches, and main findings, messages and opportunities for knowledge exchange that have come from FSA projects funded by Land & Water Australia (Land & Water Australia).