Environmental audit system: EPA's role
Find out how EPA oversees Victoria’s environmental audit system. This includes how we appoint environmental auditors and monitor their performance.
We oversee the environmental audit system, including the appointment of environmental auditors under the Environment Protection Act 2017. Auditors can be appointed by EPA for a period of up to three years.
EPA issues guidelines for environmental auditors that cover matters including their appointment and reappointment, and performance of their functions.
On the completion of preliminary risk screen assessments and environmental audits, the auditor will prepare statements and reports as required under the Environment Protection Act 2017. These will be provided to the party that requests the audit and copies must also be provided to EPA.
For preliminary risk screen assessments and environmental audits that relate to risks of harm from contaminated land or potentially contaminated land, the planning authority and the responsible authority must also be provided with copies of the statement and report.
EPA has a quality assurance program to monitor the performance of auditors. It includes how we:
If aspects of the auditors conduct or concerns with the quality of their work are identified, EPA may:
EPA does not:
Unless the environmental audit is a requirement in a remedial tool, EPA is not responsible for managing compliance with the recommendations of an environmental audit statement.
In some circumstances EPA may issue a remedial notice or order to give effect to audit recommendations.
Reviewed 21 September 2021