Licences
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EPA licences are required for all scheduled premises, unless the premises is exempted in the regulations. Licences cover the actual operation of the site and set operating, waste discharge limits, and waste acceptance conditions as appropriate. The Environment Protection Act 1970 specifies penalties for breach of licence conditions, or for operating a site without a licence.
A licence may only be held by one or more legal entities:
- a person
- a company
- a statutory corporation
- a municipal council.
Download an application form for a licence.
Licence subsequent to works approval
Where a works approval has been obtained, and the occupier believes that the works have been completed in accordance with that works approval, an application for licence (or for licence amendment if there is an existing licence for the premises) may be made to EPA.
There is no application fee for this type of application, however the licence application form must be filled in and submitted.
EPA will inspect the works, and if they are found to comply with the conditions of the works approval, will issue the new or amended licence.
Licence amendment
EPA can amend licence conditions by issuing a notice of amendment.
A licence holder can apply to EPA to have any condition(s) of a licence amended by filling in the licence application form, and submitting supporting information to EPA. EPA will process applications for licence amendment within 60 days of receiving a complete application.
The fee for amendment, when requested by the licence holder, is the lower of 10 per cent of the current annual licence fee or 85 fee units ($1038.70). Please note the current dollar value of a fee unit is $12.22.
Licence transfer
Where a site changes ownership, or the legal name of the licence holder changes, an application for licence transfer must be made. This should be done within 30 days of the site changing hands.
The fee to transfer a licence is the lower of 10 per cent of the current annual licence fee or ($427.70). Please note the current dollar value of a fee unit is $12.22.
Licence surrender and revocation
Where a licence holder believes that the site is no longer being operated in a manner that requires an EPA licence (that is the scheduled activity has ceased), an application for licence surrender may be made. This may result in a refund of the unused portion of the current annual fee.
The Environment Protection Act contains provisions for EPA to suspend or revoke a licence under certain conditions.
Licence suspension
EPA may suspend a licence for a number of reasons. These reasons are detailed in EPA’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy.
A licence suspension may be for a specified period or until any necessary conditions are fulfilled. EPA will give the licence-holder procedural fairness before deciding whether to go ahead with a suspension, by giving notice of its intention to suspend the licence, and the grounds for suspension. The licence-holder will be given a reasonable opportunity to demonstrate and provide evidence as to why the proposed suspension should not occur.
Licence conditions
Licences contain conditions which aim to control the operation of the premises in order to ensure that there is no adverse effect on the environment.
The Licensing Reform program has introduced standard conditions to licences. These conditions address areas such as waste acceptance and treatment, air and water discharges, and noise and odour. EPA publishes guidelines to help licence-holders understand their licence conditions.
Annual licence fees
An annual fee is payable for the duration of the licence. The amount of this fee depends on the type of operation and the volume and quality of any discharge to the environment.
Licence fees are set out in the Environment Protection (Fees) Regulations 2001.
Public access to licences
EPA licences and approvals are public documents. EPA’s Licensing Reform program has introduced free online access to all reformed licences and Annual Performance Statements.
Licences that are not yet reformed may be purchased for $8 a copy from the EPA Information Centre.
Fee changes
View the fees 1 July 2011 More »