We appoint accredited consigners to support businesses to meet their waste obligations and duties. We appoint them under section 245(2) of the Environment Protection Act 2017.
Accredited consigners:
- are appointed for up to 5 years
- are not employed or paid by us.
Accredited consigners can apply to us:
- for appointment
- for reappointment
- to vary or surrender their appointment.
You can choose to work with an accredited consigner. It’s one way to show us you’re meeting your waste duties.
You do not need to use or become an accredited consigner to pick up multiple collections in a single load of waste.
Role of accredited consigners
The functions of accredited consigners are set out in regulations 88 to 92 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
If your business produces waste, an accredited consigner can help you:
- classify and manage specific types of priority waste
- take waste to a place authorised to receive that type of waste – lawful place
- complete waste records and track waste.
An accredited consigner can help you build your knowledge about classifying and managing priority waste and reportable priority waste. This can be important if you have limited knowledge and the risks associated with the waste are high. You are still obligated to maintain reasonable knowledge about managing your waste.
Accredited consigners are not responsible for meeting your waste duties. They only act on your behalf. You and the accredited consigner both have obligations under the law.
Accredited consigners who create waste records for waste producers must use Waste Tracker to track the transport of reportable priority waste.
The Accredited consigner code of conduct outlines the expected behaviours and standards for accredited consigners.
We can suspend, vary or revoke an accredited consigner's appointment when they do not follow:
- expected behaviours and standards
- duties under the law
- their appointment conditions.
Find an accredited consigner
We publish a list of accredited consigners on our public register.
Apply to become an accredited consigner
Becoming an accredited consigner is an opportunity for waste specialists to:
- share their expertise with waste producers
- give administrative support to help classify and manage waste appropriately
- improve the integrity of the waste system
- build the knowledge and capabilities of businesses that produce waste.
Who can become an accredited consigner
You can apply to become an accredited consigner if you have experience as a:
- waste broker
- waste transporter or logistics specialist
- technical waste management expert
- environmental consultant
- member of the waste industry (with the right qualifications, skill and experience).
Knowledge and experience
You need to demonstrate your capability to consign specific priority wastes.
You need knowledge of and experience with:
- appropriate waste consignment
- interstate and international waste transport legislation
- dangerous goods legislation
- relevant provisions of the Environment Protection Act and associated regulations and guidelines
- industry knowledge specific to the types of waste you want to consign.
You also need to:
- be a fit and proper person
- not be a prohibited person
- provide a national police check from Victoria Police.
How to apply
Before you apply, email consigners@epa.vic.gov.au to register your interest. For more information about how to apply, refer to Accredited consigner application guidance.
Apply through our portal. You need to sign up to use the portal. If you need help, call 1300 372 842. A fee applies.
To apply, you must complete and submit:
- accredited consigner application form
- nominated waste codes form
- work experience statement
- Fit and proper person questionnaire
- Prohibited persons questionnaire
- national police record check.
Steps to apply
- Log into the portal, go to the 'Applications' menu and select 'Appointments'.
- Click 'Start application'.
- Select 'Applying for' and 'Accredited consigner appointment'.
- For 'Application type', select 'New'.
- Enter your personal and company details.
- Enter the waste codes relevant to you.
- Complete the professional membership information questions.
- Attach supporting information demonstrating your experience, skills and professional memberships.
- Complete the required declarations, including that you have completed the waste legislation training.
- Review and submit your application.
We cannot assess incomplete applications.
We let you know the outcome of your application within 30 business days.
If you have questions about your application, call 1300 372 842 or email consigners@epa.vic.gov.au.
Vary your appointment
As an accredited consigner, you can apply to vary your appointment – for example, to amend waste codes or update your business details.
You need to provide information to support your application. Refer to the Accredited consigner application guidance.
To apply to vary your active appointment, follow the 'How to apply' instructions above. At step 4, for 'Application type', select 'Apply for reappointment'.
Include all the information and evidence that you need to provide for reappointment.
If you want to add waste codes, you must include evidence demonstrating your experience and suitability to act as an accredited consigner for the proposed new waste codes.
If it's been more than 1 year since your appointment or reappointment, you must also include:
We assess applications within 30 business days. No fee applies.
Variations to an appointment are reflected on the public register.
Surrender your appointment
As an accredited consigner, you can apply to surrender your appointment at any time.
You must submit a request advising of your intention to surrender with at least 30 business days’ notice.
Submit your request to consigners@epa.vic.gov.au and include your Appointment ID number. We may contact you for more information.
Apply for reappointment
If you are an accredited consigner, we notify you 12 weeks before your appointment expires.
You must apply at least 30 business days before this expiry date to be reappointed.
To apply for reappointment, follow the 'How to apply' instructions above. At step 4, for 'Application type', select 'Apply for reappointment'.
A fee applies.
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