Authorisation name
- Environment Protection Authority (EPA) authorisation
- Environment Protection Authority (EPA) licence/exemption/works approval
Fees
The EPA's authorisation fee system is based on 'user pays' and 'polluter pays' principles. In this system, authorisation fees reflect the EPA's regulatory effort as well as the amount and type of pollutants discharged to the environment.
For the 2011-12 financial year, authorisation application fees are based on a fee unit of $17.30.
Application | Fee |
| New licence | 10 fee units - $173.00 |
| Exemption | 43 fee units - $743.90 (new application only) |
| Works approval | 10 fee units - $173.00 |
| Authorisation renewal | 10 fee units - $173.00 (all renewals) |
Duration
The term of an EPA licence is generally five years but can vary from one to 10 years, based on the EPA’s assessment of the risk or duration of the activity.
Overview
The EPA negotiates conditions through a licence to regulate activities that have the potential to harm the environment.
Any person or company undertaking certain types of activities may need an EPA licence, as required by the
Environment Protection Act 1993.
Polluting activities may include:
- the production or transport of solid or liquid waste
- the management of solid or liquid waste
- noise
- emissions into the air
- the production of heat
- emissions into water.
Do you need a licence?
If your business discharges emissions to the air or water, is odorous or noisy then you should check whether an EPA licence is required.
Schedule 1 of the Act sets out a list of activities that may require a licence. You can find out by either contacting the EPA or the planning department of your local council.
Many activities in Schedule 1 of the Act specify a threshold at or below which a licence is not needed and above which a licence is needed. For example, if you wish to operate a brewery that has the capacity to produce more that 5,000 litres a day then you would need an environmental licence.
It is the responsibility of a person or company to determine if they require a licence. It is a serious offence to undertake a prescribed activity without a licence and could result in a maximum fine of $120,000.
Apply for a licence
You need to consider whether development consent is necessary for the prescribed activity prior to applying for a licence at a fixed site. To help you decide whether development consent is required, contact:
If you require development consent, the EPA cannot issue you with a licence until that consent is obtained. It is in your interest to determine what has to be done under the planning laws before you apply for a licence.
When you have decided that you need an environment licence you will need to fill out an application form. You can view application forms and apply, renew or pay for an EPA authorisation or licence online on the EPA's website.
If you have any questions, phone EPA Licensing on 8204 2058.
More information
Other websites
The EPA licence fee system - EPA
Limited purpose applications (may not need a licence) - EPA