Transporting industrial waste can pose a risk to human health and the environment if the waste is not properly managed and handled.
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017, if you transport industrial waste, you have obligations and duties that you must meet.
You do not need a permission to transport all industrial waste into or out of Victoria. For example, you do not need a permission to transport liquid waste out of Victoria.
You must get a permission to transport:
- solid reportable priority waste (other than waste tyres) out of Victoria
- controlled waste into Victoria.
Transport waste out of Victoria
Under the Environment Protection Regulations 2021, you must get an A12 – Transporting waste out of Victoria permit to move solid reportable priority waste out of Victoria. This does not include waste tyres.
You must also:
- have a consignment authorisation from a nominated agency or delegated facility in the state or territory receiving the waste
- make sure the waste transporter has approval from the appropriate authority in the state or territory receiving the waste
- have any other approvals or consents you need.
You must track the waste using the electronic waste transport record system of the state or territory receiving the waste. A hard copy of the waste record must be kept with the waste during transit.
Transport waste into Victoria
Transporting controlled waste into Victoria from interstate is managed under the National Environment Protection (Movement of Controlled Waste Between States and Territories) Measure (Controlled Waste NEPM).
Most reportable priority waste is controlled waste. Controlled waste types are listed in the NEPM.
If you consign controlled waste for transport into Victoria, you must get a permission. For reportable priority waste, this is an A11 – Transporting controlled waste into Victoria permit.
The waste producer, or a person authorised to act on behalf of the producer by the state or territory where the controlled waste is produced, can apply for the permit.
You do not need a permission for controlled waste entering Victoria where its final destination is another state. This applies as long as no storage, consolidation or treatment of waste occurs in Victoria on the way.
You must make sure the transporter has [approval] to transport the waste.
You must use Waste Tracker to track controlled waste entering Victoria. You need to sign into our portal and link your individual account to your business.
Waste transporter obligations
As a waste transporter, you must meet the general environmental duty and waste duties.
Permissions and approvals
Your vehicle must have approval from the appropriate authority in the state or territory receiving the waste.
You also must get a permission from us to transport reportable priority waste into or out of Victoria:
- A10a – Reportable priority waste (transport) – high risk permit for waste codes B100, E100, G100 or R100, or
- A10b – Reportable priority waste (transport) – other registration.
You must comply with the permission conditions.
To apply for an A10a permit, you must have a vehicle that meets vehicle safety standards for transporting industrial waste.
If you have a waste transport permission issued by another state or territory, you need to apply for an exemption for transporting reportable priority waste into Victoria. You cannot use Waste Tracker as the transporter.
Regulations 80 and 81 of the Environment Protection Regulations set out what requirements you must meet to move controlled waste into Victoria.
Waste record and documentation
At the time of pick-up, confirm the information on the waste record with the waste producer.
Make sure all required documentation is kept in the cabin of the vehicle. This includes:
- a printed copy of the waste record
- a copy of your transport approval
- an initial emergency response guide card.
National requirements
National requirements also apply for waste transport. These include:
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls Management Plan issued by Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC)
- National Code of Practice: How to safely remove asbestos
- Australian Standard for management of clinical and related wastes (AS 3816:2018)
- Australian Standard for collection, storage, transport and treatment of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment (AS 5377:2022).
Exemptions for transporting reportable priority waste
If you have a valid authorisation issued by another state or territory to transport reportable priority waste, you can apply for an exemption from the requirement to hold an A10a permit or A10b registration.
If you hold an exemption because you have a valid authorisation, you still need to track controlled waste entering Victoria using Waste Tracker.
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