Technical information requirements for an environmental authority application

Use our forms and fees finder for information on applying for a new environmental authority (EA) or managing your existing EAs.

You must provide technical information for your site-specific or variation application for an environmental authority (EA). Some amendment applications will also require technical supporting information.

If the activity you are proposing poses a significant risk to the environment, you may be required to submit an environmental impact statement (EIS). Read more about the EIS process.

Technical guidelines

The following technical guidelines explain how to provide the necessary information:

*The Operational Policy – Disposal and storage of scrap tyres at mine sites – ESR/2016/2380 (PDF, 95KB) may also be relevant.

You only need to address the technical guidelines that relate to the activities proposed by your variation or site-specific application. These guidelines can also be used, where relevant, for amendment applications to existing EAs.

If you are making a variation or site-specific application, you should use the guideline that is relevant to your proposed environmentally relevant activity (ERA). For example, if your ERA will discharge contaminants to water, use the application requirements for activities with impacts to water to determine the information you must provide with your application, and how it will be assessed.

You can use the forms and fees finder to determine the information that will be required with your application.

Application information requirements are relaxed when:

  • an application for a prescribed ERA is accompanied by evidence showing the main purpose of applying for the EA is to conduct research, or test, technology or processes relating to the EA
  • and
  • the application states that the term of the EA applied for is 3 years or less.

In these circumstances, an assessment of the likely impacts of the activity on environmental values and a description of the proposed measures for minimising and managing waste generated by the activity doesn't need to be provided with the application if the information is not available.

To divert a watercourse, mining proponents seeking approval under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 will need to provide technical details of the proposal as a part of the application process.

Read the technical guideline works that interfere with water in a watercourse (PDF, 798KB) for more information.

For general advice regarding the regional ecosystem mapping related to undertaking your ERA, please refer to the Regional ecosystem mapping overview for environmental assessments information sheet (ESR/2023/6632) (PDF, 198KB).

Resource activities are often complex and require additional technical information for the administering authority to be able to assess an EA application.

A more comprehensive guideline has been developed for non-mining resource applications that relate to petroleum activities. If you are submitting an EA application for petroleum activities, make sure you review the application requirements outlined in the petroleum EA application.

Read more about application requirements for petroleum activities (ESR/2016/2357) (PDF, 347KB).

Greenhouse gas information

Application requirements for an EA include a requirement to assess the likely impact of each relevant activity on the environmental values, including details of:

  • any emissions or releases likely to be generated by each relevant activity
  • details of management practices proposed to be implemented to prevent or minimise adverse impacts.

A comprehensive guideline has been developed to clarify minimum expectations to be provided with new and amended applications specifically in relation to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.

Read Guideline: Greenhouse gas emissions – (ESR/2024/6819) (PDF, 710KB) for more information.

Additional information for petroleum and gas activities

To avoid unforeseen project delays and costs, you should consider environmental requirements when you start planning for your project.

You can find tools and strategies in the Considering environmental requirements early in petroleum activity planning (ESR/2015/1619) (PDF, 260KB) information sheet to help you factor in these requirements.

Submit an application for pre-lodgement services for an environmental authority to discuss these factors before lodging an application for an EA. DES offers pre-lodgement services to all prospective applicants seeking direction and advice regarding EA applications.

Also consider...

  • Last reviewed: 29 May 2024
  • Last updated: 17 May 2024