Suspend or revoke a permission

We can suspend or revoke (cancel) your permission if you:

• have not complied with the Environment Protection Act 2017, Environment Protection Regulations 2021, or your permission conditions
• are not considered a fit and proper person to engage in the permission activity
• have given us incorrect or misleading information
• have not paid a fee relating to the permission.

We can also revoke your permission if you no longer engage in the permissioned activity.

What happens when we suspend or revoke a permission

If your permission is suspended or revoked, you must stop the activity by the suspension or revocation date. It's an offence to conduct a permissioned activity without a permission or other statutory authorisation.

We may issue a remedial notice and/or direction when we revoke to address matters – including:

• clean-up
• decommissioning
• long-term site management
• rehabilitation.

Suspended and revoked permissions are published on our Public register.

Suspend or revoke for compliance reasons

Before we suspend or revoke your permission for compliance reasons, we send a notice to tell you:

• what activities we're proposing to suspend or revoke
• the reasons why.

You can make a submission on the proposal to suspend or revoke your permission within 10 business days.

Once we've considered your submission, we decide whether to suspend or revoke the permission. If we decide to suspend or revoke your permission, we send you a Notice of Suspension or Notice of Revocation.

You must comply with the Notice of Suspension or Notice of Revocation and any other remedial notices and directions issued. For example, a remedial notice can direct you to clean up, stop an activity and/or install controls.

If you fix the problem or situation quickly, we can remove the suspension early. If you do not fix the problem, we can extend the suspension. We let you know if we decide to remove or extend the suspension, for how long, and the reasons why.

Revoke for non-compliance reasons

When we revoke your permission for non-compliance purposes, we send a notice to tell you:

• the permission we're revoking
• the non-compliances we have identified
• the date the revocation takes effect.
  

Revoke when a permission is no longer required

If you're stopping or no longer conducting a permission activity, or if you can demonstrate that you're no longer required to hold a permission, you can:

• apply to surrender your licence or permit
• request revocation of your registration.

To submit a registration revocation request, contact us with your request.

Include in your revocation request:

• registration ID
• a letter on your business letterhead signed by the CEO, signatory or individual permission holder with the reason/s for the revocation
• evidence supporting any claims you have made.
  

You can appeal

You can apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to review the decision to suspend or revoke your permission.

You must do this within 10 business days of receiving the suspension or cancellation notice.

For information about how to apply to VCAT, visit Appeal an EPA decision.