Environment protection licences

We issue environment protection licences for industrial premises under the POEO Act.

If you think you may require an environment protection licence, consult the Guide to Licensing. You can apply for an environment protection licence via eConnect EPA. Read more about how to apply online using eConnect EPA.

If you are unable to complete an online application using eConnect EPA, please email [email protected] for further assistance.

Application forms are available to:

• apply for an environment protection licence
• apply to vary, transfer or surrender an environment protection licence
• apply for a load reduction agreement.

Licences may include conditions for pollution prevention and control, monitoring and reporting.

All licence holders must:

• comply with the conditions of their licence
• prepare pollution incident response management plans
• pay annual administrative fees and, in some cases, additional fees
• immediately notify of pollution incidents that cause or threaten material harm to the environment.

Most licence holders must:

• publish and/or make pollution monitoring data available
• submit non-compliances in real time.

Load-based licensing

Some holders of environment protection licences are subject to load-based licensing (LBL) requirements and are required to submit a load-based licensing annual return to report LBL data. The LBL scheme sets limits on the pollutant loads emitted by certain industries by linking licence fees to pollutant emissions. The LBL scheme also provides the infrastructure for emissions trading schemes. These enable emissions to be controlled from groups of licensees as well as from individual premises by allowing licensees to buy and sell credits for reducing emissions.

Climate change 

New climate change requirements are being phased in from 2027 for licensed facilities that emit over 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂-e) emissions per year. These facilities are typically large industrial facilities such as coal mines, manufacturing, large intensive agricultural facilities (e.g. feedlots and dairies), and large landfills.

Regulating licensed premises

The EPA's approach to regulating licensed premises is guided by our Regulatory Framework and Regulatory Policy. We base our decisions and actions on the best available information.

Dynamic risk indicators are used to identify changes in risk so that we can respond early to risk increases and focus resources where they are needed at both a licence level and broader strategic level. Indicators include non-compliances, site inspection outcomes, incidents and community reports, changes in operating factors and monitoring data.

Authorised and Enforcement Officers are appointed to exercise certain functions under the POEO Act. These officers can inspect businesses and premises, provide guidance and advice on how to comply, collect evidence including taking samples and photos, and enforce the law.

The EPA also manages an ongoing environmental compliance audit program, which assesses licensees’ compliance with licence conditions and legislative requirements and provides guidance on best practice to encourage improved environmental performance.

Other information

Other information sources relating to environment protection licences are:

• the public register, which contains information on licence reviews, prosecutions and other issues
• the National Pollutant Inventory, which provides data on types and amounts of certain emissions across Australia, and their impact on health and the environment.