Organisation structure

Our 5 divisions focus on the key aspects of environmental protection and regulation and the prevention of human harm.

Engagement, Digital and Innovation

The Engagement, Digital and Innovation division leads engagement with local government, community, Aboriginal and industry stakeholders, while overseeing our digital transformation and driving our commitment to product stewardship.

Our Engagement, Program and Innovation division:

• leads delivery of meaningful outcomes aligned to our Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal People
• leads internal and external strategic communications, media, ministerial, parliamentary and public relations
• leads community and stakeholder engagement, delivering key priorities, partnerships and insights and driving product stewardship
• leads the strategy, delivery and operation of digital platforms, data management, environmental intelligence, spatial analysis, analytics, waste levy management, innovation and the use of artificial intelligence.

Legal, Governance and People

The Legal, Governance and People division provides legal advice and representation, upholds governance and risk-based decision making and leads people functions, training and work health and safety.

Our Legal, Governance and People division:

• leads our legislative program, provides advice to the EPA on regulatory powers and functions, legal issues and commercial matters
• represents the EPA before courts and tribunals and prosecutes for environmental crimes
• drives strategic workforce planning, work health, safety and wellbeing programs, diversity, equity and inclusion and capability development for a high-performing culture
• leads risk management, requests for access to EPA information, complaints, governance issues and undertakes internal audits.

Policy, Programs and Finance

The Policy, Programs and Finance division leads strategic policy advice, program development and delivery and financial management, ensuring alignment with government priorities and community expectations.

Our Policy, Programs and Finance division:

• provides strategic policy advice to NSW Government on all circular economy matters including legislation, regulation and programs
• provides strategic policy and regulatory advice to the EPA, Ministers and Government, supporting our Strategic Plan priorities of ‘driving climate action’ and ‘Caring for Country’
• manages financial strategy, budgeting, reporting, property leases and insurance to ensure strong financial governance and support for operations
• develops and delivers high-impact environmental programs that align with NSW Government policies.

Regulatory Practice and Services

The Regulatory Practice and Services division provides scientific, technical, and applied advice to enable evidence-based decision making, strong regulatory action and industry performance.

Our Regulatory Practice and Services division:

• delivers expert technical and scientific advice, including monitoring for air, noise, water, soil, ecology, groundwater and coal seam gas
• delivers expert technical and scientific advice in areas including chemicals, contaminated land, radiation, resource recovery, emerging contaminants and waste
• leads regulatory practice and continuous improvement through the development of regulatory frameworks, guidance, practical regulatory tools, project support and reporting to enhance regulatory effectiveness and decision making
• leads incident and emergency management and recovery, coordinates the Environmental Services Functional Area, provides specialist sampling services, and undertakes projects to protect human health and the environment from legacy and emerging contaminants.

Regulatory Operations

The Regulatory Operations division leads a unified end-to-end regulatory approach through licensing, strong proactive regulation, compliance and investigations.

Our Regulatory Operations division:

• deliver regional regulatory programs and compliance operations to protect air, water, land, and community health
• focuses on complex and high-risk environmental activities to prevent harm to people and the environment
• manages environmental approvals and permissions ensuring environmental standards are upheld
• leads proactive intelligence driven compliance investigations as environmental compliance and waste levy audits.