When you need a permit for this activity
You must get a permission from us to conduct certain activities that have risk of harm to human health and the environment. These are called prescribed activities and are defined in Schedule 1 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
Under the Regulations, you need an A15 – Biosolids supply or use permit to supply or use biosolids that meet a treatment grade equal to or better than T2; and a contaminant grade equal to or lower than C2.
If the treatment grade is higher than T2 or the contaminant grade is higher than C2, you will need an A16 - Supply or use of reportable priority waste permit.
Exemptions
Under some circumstances, you can apply for a development licence exemption or an operating licence exemption.
If you receive biosolids from a supplier for use, you may be eligible for an exemption from an A15 permit. An exemption exists under regulation 40(1)(b) if you meet the following criteria:
- Your supplier holds an A15 permit
- You use the biosolids following regulation 63(f)
- You use biosolids in the way allowed by the supplier's permit.
Sometimes, an A15 Permit holder may supply biosolids for use at different sites. The permitted supplier must have agreements for each site using biosolids. In this case, receiving users can be exempt from holding an A15 permit for the use of biosolids.
Further processing of biosolids such as composting or thermal treatment needs other permissions. These activities are not authorised by A15 permits or exemptions.
Related activities
Information to include in your application
When you submit your application in the portal, it must include certain information and supporting evidence. To learn more, visit Apply for a permit.
If you're unsure of the type of permission you need, use our free permission pathway process before you start your application.
For this application you must also provide:
- A current activity site plan for each activity site
- Information about the biosolids contaminant and treatment grades and relevant supporting evidence
- The quantity of biosolids that will be used or supplied for use and supporting evidence
- Information about the biosolids storage capacity and relevant supporting evidence
- Information about the intended uses for the biosolids
- A risk management and monitoring program (RMMP) for your activity
- Any other relevant information including consideration of the standards or requirements specified in Guidelines for environmental management: Biosolids Land Application.
Application fee
For a list of current fees and how they're calculated, visit Fees. An extra fee may apply if we need more time than specified in the Regulations to assess your application.
If an application fee applies, we cannot assess your application until we've received and processed this fee.
How long your permit is valid for
Your permit is valid for 5 years.
How we assess your application
Find out how we assess your application and how long it takes.
Permit conditions
Permission conditions outline the legal obligations for the permission holder. They set up a framework for risk management, record keeping and reporting.
Where a condition includes:
- the word 'placeholder', values will be populated with information that's specific to your site
- a reference to a 'figure' or 'appendix', information will be populated that's specific to your site.
'Authority' means Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
Other conditions may apply.
| Condition code | Description |
| PER_B01 | You must keep records of all sites and end users to which you supply biosolids. The records must include: a) site addresses of where the biosolids are being used; b) quantity and quality of the biosolids supplied; c) all monitoring undertaken; d) end-uses of the biosolids; and e) the agreement between the supplier and the end user. These records must be kept for five years and made available to the Authority on request. |
| PER_B02 | You must keep the following records: a) batch identification (or for a continuous operation, the biosolids produced between sampling periods); b) production period; c) contaminant concentrations and batch grade; d) historic trends of contaminant levels; e) treatment process, microbiological testing stabilisation method and resultant treatment grade; f) concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and other relevant nutrients in biosolids; g) details of incidents and the corrective action taken; h) inspection and maintenance reports; i) quantity (dry tonnes) and solids content of the batch; and j) the type of product produced. These records must be kept for five years and made available to the Authority on request. |
| PER_B03 | You must keep records of all complaints and rectification actions regarding any use of the biosolids. The records must include: a) the nature of the complaint; b) the time and date of the complaint; c) the investigation that resulted and any outcomes of the investigations; and d) Any actions taken by the biosolids user. These records must be kept for five years and made available to the Authority on request. |
| PER_B04 | You must ensure that the biosolid product meets the biosolids classification required for the intended use. |
| PER_B05 | You must take all reasonable steps to confirm that all users you are supplying with biosolids are authorised to receive the waste. |
| PER_B06 | Biosolids must be stored within a bunded storage area with an impermeable to low permeable base which is designed to capture any contaminated run-off. |
| PER_B07 | Biosolid stockpiles must be located on a slope of less than five percent. |
| PER_B08 | Unrestricted grade biosolids must be clearly labelled, or accompanied, with information that specifies the contents and indicative application rates. |
| PER_B11 | Biosolids stockpiles must adopt the buffer zones listed in Table 8 of “Guidelines for environmental management: biosolids land application” (Publication 943, released 20 April 2004). |
| PER_G01 | A copy of this permit must be kept at the activity site and be easily accessible to persons who are engaging in an activity conducted at the activity site. Information regarding the requirements of the permit and the Act duties must be included in site induction and training information. |
| PER_G02 | You must immediately notify the Authority by calling 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842) in the event of: a) A discharge, emission or deposit which gives rise to, or may give rise to, actual or potential harm to human health or the environment; b) A malfunction, breakdown or failure of risk control measures at the site which could reasonably be expected to give rise to actual or potential harm to human health or the environment; or c) Any breach of the permit. |
| PER_G03 | You must notify the Authority within 48 hours of the occurrence of any the following: (a) Any change to your name or address (including your registered address and site as applicable); or (b) A change to an officer (as defined in the Act). You must update the EPA Interaction Portal if any other relevant administrative details for your business change. |
| PER_G04a | You must provide the Authority with a Permission Information and Performance Statement (PIPS) in the form determined by the Authority within 2 months of receiving notification in writing from the Authority. The PIPS may be released to the public (in whole or in part). |
| PER_G04b | Information and monitoring records used for the preparation of, inclusion in, or support of, any reporting or notification that is required of you by the Authority (including data reporting, performance reporting, documents evidencing any risk and monitoring program) must be: a) retained for five years; and b) made available to the Authority on request. |
| PER_G05 | 1. You must develop a risk management and monitoring program for your activities which: (a) identifies all the risks of harm to human health and the environment which may arise from the activities you are engaging in at your activity site; (b) clearly defines your environmental performance objectives; (c) clearly defines your risk control performance objectives; (d) describes how the environmental and risk control performance objectives are being achieved; (e) identifies and describes how you will continue to eliminate or minimise the risks in 1(a) (above) so far as reasonably practicable (SFARP); and (f) describes how the information collated in compliance with this clause, is or will be disseminated, used or otherwise considered by you or any other entity. 2. The risk management and monitoring program must be: (a) documented in writing; (b) signed by a duly authorised officer of the licensed entity; and (c) made available to the Authority on request. |
Manage your permit
To amend, transfer or surrender your permit, visit Manage your permission.
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