Information on this page is not current law. It details new laws that commence on 1 July 2021 under the amended Environment Protection Act 2017.
Preliminary risk screen assessments (PRSAs) look for possible land contamination. PRSAs relate to a site’s existing or proposed future use.
PRSAs also:
- work out whether there’s a need for an environmental audit
- recommend the scope for an environmental audit.
Only EPA-appointed environmental auditors can perform PRSAs.
PRSAs don’t replace environmental audits. Environmental auditors do PRSAs to find out whether there’s a need for more detailed assessment.
About assessment outcomes
Once a PRSA is complete, the auditor will provide you with a statement and report.
Understanding PRSA statements
The statement lets you know whether there will be an environmental audit. When an audit will be done, the statement must propose a scope for it.
The PRSA statement also must include:
- all matters set out in the assessment’s scope
- the name of the person who engaged the auditor
- the auditor’s signature and contact details.
Understanding PRSA reports
A PRSA report must contain:
- a review of all relevant information collected during the assessment
- the reasons for the findings in the assessment.
Engaging with an environmental auditor early can be helpful. This is to make sure any assessment done outside this process meets the auditor’s needs.
Read next
Types of environmental audits under the Environment Protection Act 1970
EPA's role in environmental auditing
Choosing an environmental auditor
Appointment of environmental auditors
Environmental audits and the planning system
Environmental audits under the new laws
Reviewed 17 July 2020
