Australia is working to reduce emissions by transitioning from a fossil fuel-dependent energy economy to a growing renewable energy economy, with the aim of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. Offshore wind energy (OWE) presents a unique opportunity to drive economic development, technological innovation, and climate resilience. The Australian government is rapidly developing a regulatory and policy governance framework to regulate the emerging OWE industry, including measures to manage and mitigate of potential impacts resulting from offshore wind farms, such as the potential underwater noise generated during construction, operation and decommissioning activities. This research employs a qualitative research methods analysis involving a desktop review using of key international legislation, policy and commitments relating to climate change, offshore renewable targets, and guidance on managing impacts of underwater noise resulting from OWE projects and conducts a comparative analysis of international case studies. The findings discuss how the lessons learned, challenges and successes from these case studies can be applied to OWE developments in Australia, considering the unique marine environment and species potentially impacted upon (e.g., cetaceans), and existing/evolving legislation and policy documents (e.g., species recovery plans), and provides recommendations that can be applied on a practical level within Australia.