Licensing

Licences are required for certain activities under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, for Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals, transport of Dangerous Goods, use of Pesticides and use of Radiation apparatus.

Use eConnect EPA to:

  • apply online for an Environment Protection, Radiation, Dangerous Goods or Pesticides licence
  • manage your licence
  • submit non-compliance details or a load-based licensing (LBL) annual return.

Environment protection licences may be issued to owners or operators of a premises. Licence conditions relate to pollution prevention and monitoring, and cleaner production through recycling and reuse.

The Guide to Licensing is a general guide to EPA’s environment protection licensing requirements and provides information to help you determine if you are required to hold an environment protection licence and the steps to be followed to obtain a licence.

The load-based licensing (LBL) scheme, sets limits on the pollutant loads emitted by holders of environment protection licences and links licence fees to pollutant emissions. LBL is a powerful tool for controlling, reducing and preventing air and water pollution in NSW.

Emissions trading is a market-based scheme for environmental improvement that allows parties to buy and sell permits for emissions or credits for reductions in emissions of certain pollutants.

Drivers and vehicles must both be licensed to transport dangerous goods in NSW.

You may need a licence if you carry out activities regulated under a Chemical Control Order or you are a user or manufacturer of an industrial chemical listed in Schedule 6 or 7 of the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) register.

If you use pesticides as part of your job you may need a licence from the EPA.

If you deal with radioactive materials or devices, you will need a user licence.