We appoint environmental auditors in the following categories: 

• contaminated land. 
• industrial facilities. 
• natural resources.

Once appointed, environmental auditors can perform the following:

• conduct preliminary risk screen assessments and environmental audits
• prepare preliminary risk screen assessment statements, preliminary risk screen assessment reports, environmental audit statements and environmental audit reports
• perform any function conferred on an environmental auditor under the Environment Protection Act 2017 or any other Act
• perform functions prescribed in the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.

What you should know before applying to be an auditor

There’s no training to become an EPA-appointed auditor. When applying, you must be able to show expertise and extensive experience relevant to working as an environmental auditor. You may have to show this across multiple areas, depending on the auditor category for which you apply.

You’ll need an understanding of the Environment Protection Act 2017 and its associated regulations, standards and guidelines.

We expect environmental auditors to keep up-to-date with any regulatory changes.

How to apply to become an environmental auditor

We will advertise our next round to appoint environmental auditors and call for applications. There’s no date for this currently.

About the application process

The application process includes: 

• pre-application information session 
• preparation and submission of an application 
• application assessment. 

EPA may also require you to: 

• provide further information to us within a specified time  
• sit an exam 
• appear before an advisory panel for an interview  
• participate in an induction program. 

Even if you have previous audit or technical training, we base our assessment on your current experience. We also assess your qualifications and ability to meet what’s outlined in the Environmental auditor guidelines for appointment and conduct (publication 865). 

Recognising auditors from other states

Environmental auditors who have been appointed or accredited under another state’s equivalent system can be entitled to be appointed as environmental auditors in Victoria. This arrangement is under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992  and has been retained under the Mututal Recognition Amendment Act 2021. For more information, see the Environmental auditor guidelines for appointment and conduct (publication 865). 

Automatic mutual recognition

Automatic mutual recognition (AMR) commenced in Victoria on 1 July 2021 after an amendment to the  Mutual Recognition (Victoria) Act 1998. AMR is a national scheme that recognises occupational registrations making it easier for tradespeople and registered professionals to work interstate on their existing occupational licence.

Under the scheme, workers who hold an occupational licence will be able to work across states or territories participating in AMR without applying for a new registration or licence in that jurisdiction. The intention is to remove fees and paperwork, however you may need to meet some state-specific requirements to be eligible.

AMR application to environmental auditors

If you are an environmental auditor appointed in a participating state, you may be eligible for AMR.

Victorian environmental auditors who wish to rely on AMR in another state or territory, are advised to confirm if the state or territory they wish to work in has entered the AMR scheme. This information is available through Improving occupational mobility.

For further general information about Victoria’s implementation of AMR, visit Department of Treasury and Finance.

AMR notification and other considerations

As provided for under section 42J of the MRA 1992, an environmental auditor who intends to carry on an activity in Victoria in reliance on automatic deemed registration must notify the EPA prior to beginning to carry on that activity. Currently notification is via email: environmental.audit@epa.vic.gov.au a from will be provided to complete the notification process.

Under section 42D of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Cth) a person may be entitled to automatic deemed registration. Automatic deemed registration is provided for in section 42D(3) of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Cth) which states:

The registration (or registrations) the person has because of subsection (2) is automatic deemed registration, which has effect once the person: (a) meets any requirements covered by paragraphs (4)(f) to (h); or (b) if no such requirements apply–begins to carry on the activity in the second State.

Subsection (2) states that for the purposes of carrying on the activity in the second State, the person is taken to be registered in the second State for the second State occupation and to have any additional registration required to carry on the activity in the second State.

The Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Cth) notes that this does not authorise the person to carry on every activity in the second State covered by the second State occupation. Automatic deemed registration authorises in the second State only activities the person is authorised to carry on in their home State.