Works approvals

Your business must have the right works approvals in place to cover any works that may impact the environment. This is so you can manage your environmental risks and comply with the law.

If you’re applying for a works approval, you must follow our checklist and application process. EPA has a ‘roadmap’ to guide your application.

You must submit enough information for EPA to assess potential impacts on the environment and climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions. Your application may also need a human health risk assessment.

Some businesses are exempt from works approvals under certain circumstances. For example, if your project doesn’t affect:

• the state of the environment
• any other person or organisation.

Read next

When works approvals are needed

How to apply for a works approval

Works approval process roadmap

Works approvals and climate change

Works approvals and human health risk assessment

Works approval exemptions

Other types of approvals

Other types of approvals include:

• approvals for research, development and demonstration projects
• 30A approvals – can be for temporary situations like emergencies.

Read next 

Section 30a approvals

Research, development and demonstration buildings

Research, development and demonstration building approvals 

Licences

After you complete your approved works, you can apply for a licence to operate.

When you’re an EPA licence holder, you must give us an annual performance statement. These include:

• the environmental performance of the licence holder
• how your business has complied with its licence.

Read next

When your business needs a licence

Guidance for licensing

Apply for a licence

Annual performance statements 

Fit and proper tests

All approvals and licence applications are subject to ‘fit and proper person’ tests.

Read next 

Guidance on fit and proper person tests