In marine environments novel restoration techniques are being developed in response to climate change; for example, the selective breeding of thermal tolerance in corals. However, regulatory frameworks that can support restoration activities and effectively consider such novel techniques remain a key barrier to large-scale implementation of marine restoration. Here, we discuss the regulatory challenges associated with novelty and incomplete knowledge of risks and impacts of novel restoration techniques, and identify lessons from the literature to address such challenges in the context of reef restoration and adaptation in the Great Barrier Reef. We reviewed 89 publications on the governance of reef restoration, marine restoration and emerging technologies. We found that key recommendations revolve around adaptive governance, including meaningful engagement with a range of stakeholders and consideration of potential future scenarios and their impacts and uncertainties. A window of opportunity currently exists to develop regulatory options that can support more adaptive approaches to restoration governance based on a shared vision of more resilient ecosystems. This study may prove useful to other jurisdictions where novel or emerging restoration techniques will play a role in assisting ecosystems to cope in a changing climate.