A licence is for a prescribed activity requiring the highest level of regulatory control within our permissions scheme (publication 1799). This is due to the potential high risk of harm to human health and the environment.  

Licence applications involve a detailed assessment process. Once we approve a licence, it will usually include both standard and customised conditions. We will continue to oversee these conditions to ensure they are complied with.

You can apply for a licence if you are a:

• person
• company
• statutory corporation
• municipal council.

Types of licences  

There are three types of licence. All three are for high-risk activities, but they have different durations and life stages. They are as follows:  

• pilot project licence for the research, development or demonstration of a new technology or technique  
• development licence replacing works approval, this licence is for the design, construction and modification stages of complex high-risk activities  
• operating licence for ongoing operational activities.