If you're unsure of the type of permission you need, we recommend that you use our free permission pathway process before you apply for a permission. Application requirements are generally complex and activity specific.
You must get permission from us to engage in 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 section 81 of the Environment Protection Act 2017, you must get a permit to engage in some prescribed activities. These are generally medium-risk to high-risk activities.
When to apply for a permit
To see a list of activities that require a permit, visit Find which permission you need.
These activities include but are not limited to:
- operating a municipal landfill servicing less than 5,000 people
- operating a temporary on-site waste treatment plant
- operating an outdoor music event or concert
- operating livestock saleyards or holding pens (with waste solely to land)
- transporting waste, including interstate transport of certain wastes and transporting high-risk wastes
- discharging or depositing waste to an aquifer.
For some activities, you must apply for a development licence before you apply for a permit.
Exemptions
Under some circumstances, you can apply for an exemption from a permit.
Conditions
Permits have conditions that are generally standard across an industry. We can vary these conditions where greater risk controls are needed.
These conditions outline your legal obligations as the permission holder. They set up a framework for risk management, record keeping and reporting. To learn more, visit Permission conditions.
We monitor activities to make sure permission holders comply with these conditions. We take a no-tolerance approach and can take action if you do not comply. To learn more, visit Fines and enforcement.
Information to include in your application
To apply for a permit, you must provide the information in the table below. You must structure your application to follow this order.
You must also address any other requirements that apply to your application – for example, climate change and biodiversity requirements. For more information, visit How to apply for a permission(opens in a new window).
Your application must include all the information and supporting evidence. The portal asks you to summarise details of your application. You can cross-reference to more detail in your attached documents.
Without this information, your application is incomplete, and by law we cannot assess it.
Note: you may also need to provide specific information for your activity. Check your activity type for all application requirements.
| Information to provide | Includes |
| application type | Give your permission type (permit). |
| applicant details | Give the:
|
| suitability to hold a permission | Provide a completed fit and proper person questionnaire and prohibited person questionnaire. Include a credit check (for a business), annual report (for a public body), or any other supporting documents triggered in the form. |
| permission activity | Give the relevant activity category:
For a list of activities, visit Find which permission you need. Summarise your prescribed operating activity in 1,000 words. If applicable, you must reference the development licence or exemption issued for the activities. |
| activity location | Identify if the proposed activity will be conducted at a single location (fixed) or multiple locations (mobile). |
| activity site plan | Give a site plan in JPEG format that includes:
|
| waste information (if applicable) | For a waste-related permission, select waste codes that reflect the waste received at your site, not any waste you produce. For more information on your obligations about receiving or transporting industrial waste, visit Understand your waste obligations and duties. For information on waste codes, see Waste code transition to the Environment Protection Regulations 2021. |
| proposed activity | Describe the processes or systems you will use to perform the activity. Outline your experience and competency in performing the activity. Summarise the environmental characteristics of the location where you intend to conduct the activity. Answer the following questions:
|
| risk considerations | Give a summary of:
|
| supporting evidence | Provide the evidence you need to support 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.
Fees also apply for managing your permit – for example, to transfer, amend, renew or surrender your permit.
How to apply
Submit your application and supporting documents through our portal(opens in a new window). For more information, see How to apply for a permission.
How we assess your application
Our Permissions scheme policy outlines our standard process for assessing permission applications.
For information about how we assess your application, visit How to apply for a permission.
How long it takes
We need time to assess your application and make a decision. These timelines can change if we need more information.
We recommend that you submit your application well in advance of your proposed start date. Allow for extra time in case we consider your application incomplete or we need additional information.
| Permission type | Time to assess |
| permit | 42 business days |
How long your permit is valid for
| Permission type | Duration |
| permit | 5 years* |
*The duration date varies for some permits – check the prescribed activity.
Renew a permit
You can renew some permits before they expire through our portal(opens in a new window). Fees apply.
Appeal a permit decision
You can apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to review the decision about your application. You need to appeal within 15 business days of receiving the decision.
Visit Appeal our decision.
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