Australia needs to prepare for more oil spills, an environmental group has warned on Sunday.

Steps to better protect marine life from such disasters have not been taken, despite major spills happening off Australia's coast, Pew Environment Group spokeswoman Michelle Grady said.

"If there is one thing that Australia can do right now, (it) is prepare for massive oil spills - they are happening and have happened before," Grady told Australian Associated Press.

"New areas are being opened up for oil drilling even through the inquiry into the Montara oil spill off the Kimberley coast is not yet finished."

Grady said less than five percent of the country's waters were protected from damage caused by industrial development or over- fishing.

She called for the establishment of more marine sanctuaries, which would help mitigate the impact of spills.

"There must be safe havens created for unique marine life and for fish stocks to recover," Grady said.

A Chinese-registered bulk coal carrier has leaked oil into the Great Barrier Reef after it ran aground on Douglas Shoal last month.

It has followed Australia's worst offshore spill in August last year, which saw oil leak into the Timor Sea for around 10 weeks before the well was plugged at Australasia's Montara oilfield.