A21 – Temporary storage (biomedical waste)

Learn about the A21 – Temporary storage (biomedical waste) registration, the conditions you must comply with and how to apply.

When you need a registration 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.

Biomedical waste is waste generated in a clinical or similar setting.

Under the Regulations, you need an A21 – Temporary storage (biomedical waste) registration to store up to 40 m3 of any biomedical waste.

This registration is for biomedical waste generated at another site by a council, a health service or an ambulance service.

For more information about biomedical waste, visit Clinical and related industrial waste and Manage clinical and related industrial waste.

You may need an A01 – Reportable priority waste management development and operating licence to store:

  • more than 40 m3 of biomedical waste
  • biomedical waste not generated by a council, a health service or an ambulance service.

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 registration.

If you're unsure of the type of permission you need, use our free permission pathway process before you start your 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 registration is valid for

Your registration is valid for up to 5 years.

How we assess your application

Find out how we assess your application and how long it takes.

Registration 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 codeDescription
REG_G01A copy of this registration 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 registration and the Act duties must be included in site induction and training information.
REG_G02You must immediately notify the Authority by calling 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842) in the event of a discharge, emission or deposit which gives rise to, or may give rise to, actual or potential harm to human health or the environment.
REG_G03

You must:

a) notify the Authority of any change to your name or address (including your registered address or activity site address as applicable); and

b) update the EPA Interaction Portal if any other administrative details relevant to this registration change.

REG_WM03

You must ensure that:

a) only waste of a type shown in Appendix 1 of this registration is accepted at the activity site; and

b) if any waste is received at the activity site that is not of a type shown in Appendix 1, that this waste is placed in a designated and clearly sign-posted temporary storage area and is transported to a site which is authorised to receive this waste as soon as practicable.

REG_BW01Containers used to store biomedical waste must be sufficiently sealed and clearly labelled so that the contents can be identified.

Apply now

Apply for an A21 – Temporary storage (biomedical waste) registration in our portal.

Apply now

Manage your registration

Registrations cannot be amended or transferred. If you need to update your details, you need to apply for a new registration.

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