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Applying for an environmental authority
Use our forms and fees finder for information on applying for a new environmental authority (EA) or managing your existing EAs.
In Queensland, you need to apply for an environmental authority (EA) to perform an environmentally relevant activity (ERA).
ERAs are activities with the potential to release contaminants into the environment that will or may cause environmental harm. They include a wide range of activities such as aquaculture, sewage treatment, cattle feedlotting, mining and coal seam gas extraction.
There are 3 categories of ERAs—agricultural ERAs, resource ERAs and prescribed ERAs.
Agricultural ERAs are specifically described as cattle grazing, horticulture, or the cultivation of another crop (e.g. bananas, grains or sugarcane) carried out in the Great Barrier Reef catchment. New requirements for ERAs are rolling out from 1 December 2019 to 1 December 2022.
Mining, geothermal activity, greenhouse gas storage, and petroleum activities are considered resource ERAs. Other activities including certain aquaculture, sewage treatment, intensive animal feedlotting, developing land for intensive cropping, energy-related services, extractive industries, metal fabrication, food processing, metal production and other types of industrial manufacturing activities are considered prescribed ERAs.
EAs are administered by a range of Queensland Government and local government agencies. The agency that administers an EA is called the administering authority.
This guide explains how to apply for an EA in Queensland.
Environmentally relevant activities
Use our forms and fees finder for information on applying for a new environmental authority (EA) or managing your existing EAs.
If you intend to conduct an environmentally relevant activity (ERA), you must apply for an environmental authority (EA). The EA will license you to operate the ERA.
It is an offence under section 426 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to carry out an ERA without holding or acting under an EA. Read Applying to conduct an environmentally relevant activity (ESR/2023/6510) (PDF, 207KB) for more information on unlicensed operators and requirements to apply to conduct an ERA.
Types of ERAs
The 3 categories of ERA are:
- prescribed ERAs
- resource activities
- agricultural ERAs.
Prescribed ERAs
Prescribed ERAs are industrial or some intensive agricultural activities that have potential environmental risks. Examples include chemical manufacturing, sewage treatment, cement manufacturing and poultry farming. These activities are listed in schedule 2 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019.
Higher risk ERAs are treated differently from lower risk ERAs. The administering authority will use 'operational thresholds' to determine the risks of your ERA, and your annual fees.
For example, sewage treatment plants are regulated at different thresholds based on the design treatment capacity of the plant. The higher the capacity, the higher the level of potential environmental risk. This will increase the annual fee. Summary of annual fees for ERAs (PDF, 1MB) has more information about ERAs and operational thresholds.
Some proposals may involve more than one prescribed ERA. These are referred to as 'prescribed ERA projects'. In your application, you should list all the prescribed ERAs to be carried out as part of your project (i.e. as a single integrated operation).
Resource activities
Many resource activities will require an EA. The EA is in addition to the tenure requirements under resource legislation. Resource activities include:
- mining activities (Mineral Resources Act 1989)
- petroleum activities, including coal seam gas activities (Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004, Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982, Petroleum Act 1923). Note: This will include some activities related to the manufacture and transport of hydrogen
- geothermal activities (Geothermal Energy Act 2010)
- greenhouse gas storage activities (Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009).
Note: In Queensland, greenhouse gas storage activities are prohibited within the geographic area of the Great Artesian Basin. That is, the area that is on or below the surface of the plan area under the Water Plan (Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers) 2017.
Resource activities frequently include activities which are listed in schedule 2 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019. These are referred to as ancillary activities, since they form part of the resource activity as a single integrated operation on-tenure.
For example, most mining activities would include some chemical storage (section 8, schedule 2 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019) as part of their operation. This activity can be included as part of your application for an EA. If the chemical storage activity is to be undertaken off-tenure, the activity is a prescribed ERA and a separate EA application is required. Once the EAs are granted, they can be amalgamated into a single EA. The Summary of annual fees for ERAs (ESR/2015/1746) (PDF, 587KB) outlines the resource activities that require an EA.
If you are planning to undertake a mining activity, you will need to apply for a mining resource authority from the Department of Resources. You will then need to apply for an EA from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) using your tenure reference number. Some EA applications, called resource projects, may involve more than 1 resource tenure licensed as a single integrated operation.
Note: If you are applying for a site-specific EA for a mining lease, then an application for a progressive rehabilitation and closure plan (PRC plan) is required. If a PRC plan does not accompany a site-specific application for an EA for a mining lease, a proposed PRC plan will need to be submitted at a later stage in the application process. An EA for a mining activity will only be approved with a PRCP schedule.
If you are planning to undertake a petroleum, geothermal or greenhouse gas storage activity, you will need to apply for your tenure with the Department of Resources before you apply for an EA with DESI.
Mining activities that meet the definition of small scale mining activities (ESR/2015/1827) (PDF, 184KB) in the Environmental Protection Act 1994 do not require an environmental authority. These activities however, still need to comply with requirements under the Mineral Resources Act 1989, Mineral Resources Regulation and, financial assurance and rehabilitation conditions under schedule 6 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019.
Agricultural ERAs
Agricultural ERAs are specifically described in section 79 Environmental Protection Act 1994 as cattle grazing, horticulture or the cultivation of another crop (e.g. bananas or sugarcane) carried out in the Great Barrier Reef catchment (PDF, 1.3MB).
Some Agricultural ERAs are subject to prescribed methodologies (bananas and sugarcane) or agricultural ERA standard (grazing) that detail minimum practice agricultural standards that are to be complied with. These new requirements for agricultural ERAs are rolling out from 1 December 2019 to 1 December 2022.
Find additional resources on reef protection regulations.
Also consider...
- Find out how to comply with an EA.
- Read how to change, combine or transfer an EA.
- Find out how to surrender or suspend an EA.
- Learn more about resource activities (mining).
- Find out about resource activities (other than mining).
- Learn more about small scale mining.
- Read the guideline on Approval processes for environmental authorities (ESR/2015/1743) (PDF, 884KB) for more details on EA assessment processes.
Types of applications for a new environmental authority
Use our forms and fees finder for information on applying for a new environmental authority (EA) or managing your existing EAs.
In Queensland, the EA application process has different levels of assessment according to the level of potential environmental risk. For example, a low-risk environmentally relevant activity (ERA), such as the operation of a sewage pumping station, does not require the same level of assessment as the operation of a large mine.
ERA standards have been developed for low risk activities. An ERA standard includes eligibility criteria and standard conditions.
There are 3 types of EA applications you can make, depending on whether you can meet the relevant eligibility criteria and standard conditions for your activity:
- standard application – if your ERA can meet the eligibility criteria and comply with the standard conditions
- variation application – if your ERA can meet the eligibility criteria, but you want to vary one or more of the standard conditions
- site-specific application – if your ERA does not have eligibility criteria or cannot meet the eligibility criteria.
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Eligible ERA | An eligible ERA is an ERA that complies with eligibility criteria for the activity, and is not part of a project declared to be a coordinated project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971. |
Eligibility criteria | Eligibility criteria are criteria used to assess whether or not you can make a standard application. For example, eligibility criteria may define where an activity can be located, or the type of materials it can process. |
Standard conditions | Standard conditions are the conditions that will apply to the operation of the activity in your EA if you were able to meet the eligibility criteria for that activity and make a standard application. |
Details of application types
Standard application
You may lodge a standard application if your proposed ERA can meet both the eligibility criteria and standard conditions for the activity.
If you can meet the eligibility criteria for an eligible ERA, but would like to change 1 or more of the standard conditions to suit your operational needs, you must lodge a variation application. If you cannot meet the eligibility criteria, you must lodge a site-specific application.
Check the list of activities suitable for standard applications and their standard conditions.
Standard application for multiple ERAs
A standard application only applies to an ERA project if all the proposed ERAs meet the requirements for a standard application (i.e. each proposed ERA can meet the eligibility criteria and standard conditions for the activity).
Where there is a mix of activities that can each meet their respective eligibility criteria, but only some can meet the standard conditions, you must make a variation application for the ERA project. If one or more of the proposed ERAs have no eligibility criteria, or you cannot meet the eligibility criteria, you must make a site-specific application.
Variation application
A variation application applies when you can meet the eligibility criteria but want to change 1 or more of the standard conditions to suit your activities. This is similar to a standard application, but will require you to provide further information in your application relevant to the variation you are making.
You must still meet all the eligibility criteria. If the ERA you are proposing has no eligibility criteria, or you cannot meet the eligibility criteria for your ERA, you must make a site-specific application.
Site-specific application
You must make a site-specific application if you can't make a standard or variation application for your activity.
You will need to supply detailed information about the proposed activity and its potential environmental impacts. These requirements may be lessened where you are proposing to trial new technologies and the information is unknown. Trial activities have a maximum term of 3 years. Your application will be assessed according to the level of potential environmental risk and the assessment provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
Site-specific application for multiple ERAs
You can lodge a site-specific application for multiple ERAs that are part of an ERA project (a prescribed ERA project or resource project). However, an EA application cannot combine a resource project and a prescribed ERA project.
How to apply
If the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) is your administering authority, you can make a standard, variation or site-specific application for an ERA by:
- completing an application through Online Services
- and
- paying the relevant application fee by credit card (see Forms and fees for environmental authorities for details of the relevant fee).
Alternatively, you can make an application for an ERA, other than ERA 13A, by:
- completing a standard, variation or site-specific application and submitting the relevant form below:
For prescribed ERAs, other than ERA13A:- Standard application for an environmental authority for a prescribed ERA (ESR/2015/1793) (DOCX, 180KB)
- Variation application for an environmental authority for a prescribed ERA (ESR/2015/1796) (DOCX, 165KB)
- Site-specific application for an environmental authority for a prescribed ERA (ESR/2015/1792) (DOCX, 160KB)
- For resource activities:
- Standard application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity (ESR/2015/1755) (DOCX, 149KB)
- Variation application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity (ESR/2015/1756) (DOCX, 228KB)
- Site-specific application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity (ESR/2015/1757) (DOCX, 264KB)
- and
- submitting to DESI using the details supplied in the form (see Forms and fees for environmental authorities for details of the relevant fee).
Read environmentally relevant activity (ERA) 13A – Commercial cropping and horticulture in the Great Barrier Reef catchment for more information on application forms for ERA 13A.
If the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is your administering authority, you can make an application for an ERA by:
- completing a standard, variation or site-specific application and submitting the relevant form below:
- Standard application for an environmental authority for a prescribed ERA (ESR/2015/1793) (DOCX, 180KB)
- Variation application for an environmental authority for a prescribed ERA (ESR/2015/1796) (DOCX, 165KB)
- Site-specific application for an environmental authority for a prescribed ERA (ESR/2015/1792) (DOCX, 160KB)
- and
- paying the relevant application fee (see Forms and fees for environmental authorities for details of the relevant fee).
You can also use our forms and fees finder to find the correct form and fee for your application, your annual fee, and additional resources for completing your application.
If the administering authority is your local government, you must contact them directly for your form and the fee.
How to change an application other than a standard application
To change a variation or site-specific application before it has been decided, contact your administering authority.
Applications for a temporary authority for an emergency situation
An application can be made for a temporary authority to conduct an ERA only under certain emergency situations. These include a declared public health emergency, a declared disaster situation, a biosecurity event under emergency order and several other events.
Note: A temporary authority is not intended for activities that are ongoing or are not carried out on a temporary basis in an emergency (e.g. petroleum and gas, coal mining or mineral mining activities generally).
A temporary authority can be granted for a maximum period of 4 months.
For more information on the range of emergency situations where a temporary authority would be appropriate, read the temporary authority information sheet (ESR/2023/6544) (PDF, 205KB).
To apply for a temporary authority and for more information, refer to the temporary authority application form (ESR/2023/6428) (DOCX, 222KB).
Also consider...
- Learn how Transitional Environmental Programs can be used to assist in compliance with your EA.
- Find out how to comply with an EA.
- Learn how to how to change, combine or transfer an EA.
- Find out how to surrender or suspend an EA.
- Read the guideline on Approval processes for environmental authorities (ESR/2015/1743) (PDF, 884KB) for more details on EA assessment processes.
Activities suitable for standard applications
Use our forms and fees finder for information on applying for a new environmental authority (EA) or managing your existing EAs.
ERA standards, which include eligibility criteria and standard conditions, have been developed for low risk activities. A standard application process applies. Activities that have an ERA standard are listed below.
If your activity is on the list, you should check that you can meet the eligibility criteria, and comply with the activity's standard conditions.
Note: The ERA standards refer to the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008, which was repealed and replaced by the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 on 1 September 2019. A reference to the repealed regulation or a repealed provision in the ERA Standards should be read as a reference to the replacement regulation or the corresponding provision in the replacement regulation.
Prescribed ERAs with an ERA standard
- ERA 2(1)(a) – Intensive animal feedlotting >150 to 1000 standard cattle units (ESR/2015/1570) (PDF, 64KB)
- ERA 2(2)(a) – Intensive animal feedlotting >1000 to 10,000 standard sheep units (ESR/2015/1701) (PDF, 64KB)
- ERA 3(1) – Keeping >400 to 3500 standard pig units (ESR/2015/1707) (PDF, 64KB)
- ERA 4(1) – Poultry farming >1000 to 200,000 birds (ESR/2015/1706) (PDF, 64KB)
- ERA 7(1) – Chemical manufacturing >200 cubic metres of water based paint in a year (ESR/2015/1697) (PDF, 62KB)
- ERA 7(3)(a) – Chemical manufacturing >200 tonnes of soap, surfactants or cleaning or toiletry products in a year (ESR/2015/1700) (PDF, 63KB)
- ERA 13(2) – Retreading tyres (ESR/2015/1705) (PDF, 62KB)
- ERA 13A - Commercial cropping and horticulture in Great Barrier Reef catchments (Version 1) (ESR/2020/5277) (PDF, 405KB)
- ERA 16(2)(a) – Extracting 5000 to 100,000 tonnes of material in a year (ESR/2015/1711) (PDF, 68KB)
- ERA 16(3)(a) – Screening 5000 to 100,000 tonnes of material in a year (ESR/2015/1704) (PDF, 66KB)
- ERA 16(3)(b) – Screening >100,000 to 1 million tonnes of material in a year (ESR/2015/1703) (PDF, 64KB)
- ERA 16(3)(c) – Screening > 1 million tonnes of material in a year (ESR/2015/1702) (PDF, 66KB)
- ERA 23 – Bottling or canning 200 tonnes or more of food in a year (ESR/2015/1713) (PDF, 66KB)
- ERA 25(1)(a) – Meat processing, not including rendering, 1000 to 5000 tonnes of meat or meat products in a year (ESR/2015/1714) (PDF, 66KB)
- ERA 25(2)(a) – Meat processing, including rendering, 1000 to 5000 tonnes of meat or meat products in a year (ESR/2015/1712) (PDF, 67KB)
- ERA 26 – Milk processing (ESR/2015/1708) (PDF, 65KB)
- ERA 29(2) – Metal foundry, producing 50 tonnes or more of non-ferrous metal castings using permanent moulds in a year (ESR/2015/1709) (PDF, 64KB)
- ERA 38(2) – Surface coating, painting or powder coating using >100 tonnes of surface coating materials in a year (ESR/2015/1699) (PDF, 62KB)
- ERA 57 - Regulated waste transport (ESR/2018/4202) (PDF, 88KB)
- ERA 63(1)(a)(i) – Sewage treatment works with total daily peak design capacity of 21 to 100 equivalent persons if treated effluent is discharged through an irrigation scheme (ESR/2015/1710) (PDF, 67KB)
- ERA 63(2) – Sewage pump station (ESR/2015/1669) (PDF, 91KB) – Note: This ERA Standard refers to ERA 63(3) for sewage pump station. On 31 March 2013, ERA 63 was amended and ERA 63(3) became ERA 63(2).
Mining resource activities with an ERA standard
- Exploration and mineral development projects (ESR/2016/1985) (PDF, 781KB)
- Mining claims and prospecting permits (ESR/2016/2242) (PDF, 760KB)
- Mining lease projects (ESR/2016/2241) (PDF, 856KB)
Non-mining resource activities with an ERA standard
- Petroleum exploration activities (ESR/2016/2386) (PDF, 668KB)
- Petroleum survey activities (ESR/2016/2387) (PDF, 414KB)
- Petroleum pipeline activities (ESR/2016/2388) (PDF, 558KB)
- Geothermal exploration activities (ESR/2016/2389) (PDF, 594KB)
Also consider...
- Find out how to comply with an EA.
- Learn how to change, combine or transfer an EA.
- Find out how to surrender or suspend an EA.
- Read how the Department of Environment and Science (now the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation) developed the eligibility criteria and standard conditions for petroleum exploration, petroleum survey, petroleum pipeline and geothermal exploration activities (ESR/2016/2440) (PDF, 184KB), including a summary of submissions received and responses to issues raised.
Administering authority for environmental authorities
Use our forms and fees finder for information on applying for a new environmental authority (EA) or managing your existing EAs.
The administering authority is the entity that will process, assess and issue your environmental authority (EA). The entity that administers your EA will depend on the environmentally relevant activity (ERA), or combination of ERAs, you are proposing.
Your administering authority can be the:
- Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI)
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)
- local government authority where the ERA will be located.
To find out your administering authority, use our forms and fees finder or check the summary of annual fees for ERAs (ESR/2015/1746) (PDF, 1MB).
Administering authority for resource activities
For resource activities, DESI is always the administering authority and should be contacted for any queries.
For any resource activity, you must submit a tenure application to the Department of Resources before you apply to DESI for an EA. Read more information on making an enquiry and engaging in pre-lodgement for a resource project.
Administering authority for prescribed ERAs
Prescribed ERAs can be administered by DESI, DAF or a local government. Check the ERAs delegated to DAF (ESR/2015/1671) (PDF, 65KB) and the ERAs devolved to local government (ESR/2015/1662) (PDF, 177KB) for more details about when these agencies cannot be the administering authority.
Administering authority for multiple prescribed ERAs
If you are planning to operate multiple prescribed ERAs administered by different authorities, the administering authority will be 1 of the Queensland Government state agencies – usually DESI.
Pre-lodgement meetings involving ERAs also requiring development assessment
There are 2 approval paths for prescribed ERAs. Many prescribed ERAs require concurrence assessment by the state and are identified in schedule 2 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019. These concurrence ERAs are identified in column 3 of Schedule 2 with a capital 'C'. A development application for a concurrence ERA is also an application for an EA.
Where a concurrence ERA is a material change of use, a development application is referred to the state for assessment under State Code 22: Environmentally Relevant Activities and the guideline (PDF, 434KB).
Refer to the Queensland Planning System website for more detail on how to prepare and lodge development applications.
The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) is the point of contact for ERAs administered by the state requiring development applications.
For information on how to organise a pre-lodgement meeting, contact your local SARA office.
The department is the point of contact for EAs for ERAs administered by our department (whether integrated with a development application or not).
Pre-lodgement services
Before lodging an application, we strongly encourage you to use the pre-lodgement services offered by your administering authority. This will help you prepare a complete application. Unfortunately, it may not be possible to assess an incomplete application and, in such circumstances, the application will not proceed.
Pre-lodgement services give the administering authority an opportunity to provide advice to prospective applicants on the feasibility of approvals for a project based on early concepts, the application process, expected time frames, and the information that must be included in an application to meet the relevant legislative requirements. Your application will then be assessed more efficiently (as the administering authority will have all the information needed to make a decision).
For more complicated applications, using pre-lodgement services will help your administering authority decide if they need to:
- nominate and assign a project manager for your application
- assemble a specialist project team for assessing your application.
If DESI is your administering authority, you can request a pre-lodgement meeting or submit a draft application for written advice by completing and submitting the Application for pre-lodgement services for an environmental authority.
DESI offers pre-lodgement services for all EA related applications under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, including, but not limited to, applications:
- for a new EA
- to amend an EA
- for a new progressive rehabilitation and closure plan (PRC plan)
- to amend a PRCP schedule
- for a new estimated rehabilitation cost (ERC) decision
- to amend an ERC decision
- for a prescribed ERA, for a decision on, or to amend or discharge financial assurance (FA), especially when applying for a FA discount
- to amalgamate EAs and/or PRCP schedules
- for certification of progressive rehabilitation
- to surrender or partially surrender an EA.
A revised pre-lodgement process for resource projects is currently being trialled and includes a phased pre-lodgement process. To access supporting checklists and agendas for phased pre-lodgement, read the information sheet about pre-lodgement checklists (ESR/2023/6441) (DOCX, 244KB).
To apply, use the application for pre-lodgement services (ESR/2015/1664 and ESR/2023/6440). Read more information on making an enquiry and engaging in pre-lodgement for a resource.
Also consider...
- Find out how to comply with an EA.
- Find out how to change, combine or transfer an EA.
- Learn how to surrender or suspend an EA.
Lodging your environmental authority application
Use our forms and fees finder for information on applying for a new environmental authority (EA) or managing your existing EAs.
Register as a suitable operator
An EA cannot be approved unless you are a registered suitable operator. To check if you are already a registered suitable operator, or to obtain your registration number, refer to the online register of suitable operators.
If you are not a registered suitable operator, you must become one before applying for your EA.
You can apply to become a registered suitable operator by completing an application through Online Services (preferred).
Alternatively, you can complete the form Application to be a registered suitable operator (ESR/2015/1771) (DOCX, 132KB) and submit it to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) using the details provided in the form. This application form can be submitted with your EA application.
Application forms
To find the correct application form for your EA, you need to know the following:
- administering authority for your activity
- type of application (i.e. standard, variation or site-specific).
Where local government is your administering authority, contact the relevant local government for the relevant form and details of where and how to lodge your application.
If DES is your administering authority, you can apply by:
- completing an application through Online Services
- or
- completing the relevant standard, variation or site-specific application form (see the EA application – prescribed ERAs section below) and submitting it to DESI using the details provided in the form.
If the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is your administering authority, you can apply by completing the relevant standard, variation or site-specific application form (see the EA application – prescribed ERAs section below) and submitting to DAF using the details provided in the form.
EA application – resource activities
Before applying for an EA for resource activities, you must have already applied for a mineral or coal resource permit or a petroleum or energy resource permit.
Contact the Department of Resources for more information about applying for a resource permit.
Mining activities
To apply for an EA for a mining activity, you can:
- complete an application through Online Services
- or
- complete a standard, variation or site-specific application for mining activities and submit the relevant form below:
- Standard application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity (ESR/2015/1755) (DOCX, 148KB)
- Variation application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity (ESR/2015/1756) (DOCX, 228KB)
- Site-specific application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity (ESR/2015/1757) (DOCX, 264KB).
Read more about mining resource activities.
Non-mining resource activities
To apply for an EA for a non-mining resource activity, you must have first applied for either a:
- petroleum tenure or licence
- geothermal tenure
- greenhouse gas storage tenure.
You must lodge your EA application for a non-mining resource activity directly with DESI once you have received your tenure application acknowledgement letter from the Department of Resources.
To apply, you can:
- complete an application through Online Services
- or
- complete a standard, variation or site-specific application for resource activities and submit the relevant form below:
- Standard application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity (ESR/2015/1755) (DOCX, 148KB)
- Variation application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity (ESR/2015/1756) (DOCX, 228KB)
- Site-specific application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity (ESR/2015/1757) (DOCX, 264KB).
Read more about non-mining resource activities.
EA application – prescribed ERAs
Prescribed ERAs that require concurrence development assessment by the state
Some prescribed ERAs may require a development permit for a material change of use. These ERAs are identified in schedule 2 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 and are known as concurrence ERAs. These ERAs are identified in column 3 of schedule 2 with a capital 'C'.
Where a concurrence ERA is a material change of use, a development application is referred to the state for assessment under State code 22: Environmentally Relevant Activities (PDF, 282KB) and the guideline (PDF, 439KB).
Refer to the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (DSDILGP) for more detail on how to prepare and lodge development applications. The development application must include the Development application Form 1 – Application details—attachment for an application for an environmental authority (ESR/2015/1791) (DOCX, 152KB).
A development application for a concurrence ERA is also an application for an EA and the assessment will be integrated during lodgement and assessment stages. At decision stage, the EA will be issued within 5 days of the issue of the development assessment's decision notice.
The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) is the point of contact for development applications involving assessment by the state. For information on how to organise a pre-lodgement meeting, contact your local DSDILGP office.
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) is the point of contact for environmental authorities for the ERAs administered by DESI. To arrange a pre-lodgement meeting, complete and submit the Application for a pre-lodgement services for an environmental authority.
Prescribed ERAs which do not require a concurrence assessment by the state
Some prescribed ERAs are not subject to concurrence assessment by the state.
Common examples are prescribed ERAs which:
- are not identified in column 3 of schedule 2 of the Environmental Protection Regulation with a capital 'C'
- are mobile or temporary operations
- the concurrence ERA will be carried out under an existing EA for an ERA for the premises, where the existing ERA has a higher Aggregate Environmental Score (AES) in the Environmental Protection Regulation
- are devolved to local government for both development assessment and EA.
These proposals may still require development assessment if triggered by the relevant local planning scheme, or other parts of Schedule 10 of the Planning Regulation 2017.
In these instances, the development application must be lodged with the assessment agency (usually with the local government but sometimes other agencies such as a port authority (for development on strategic port land) or the state if the development is not assessable against the local government planning scheme) at the same time, or before the environmental authority application is lodged.
The EA can be approved prior to the development permit but will not take effect until the development permit has taken effect.
It is an offence to carry out an EA for an ERA if the EA has not taken effect. Incorrectly claiming that a development permit has been issued or is not required, may result in prosecution for operating without an EA and for providing false or misleading information.
To apply for an EA for a prescribed ERA activity, other than ERA 13A, you can:
- complete an application through Online Services, where DESI is the administering authority
- or
- complete a standard, variation or site-specific application and submit the relevant form below, where either DESI or DAF is the administering authority:
- Standard application for an environmental authority for a prescribed ERA (ESR/2015/1793) (DOCX, 180KB)
- Variation application for an environmental authority for a prescribed ERA (ESR/2015/1796) (DOCX, 165KB)
- Site-specific application for an environmental authority for a prescribed ERA (ESR/2015/1792) (DOCX, 160KB).
Read environmentally relevant activity (ERA) 13A – Commercial cropping and horticulture in the Great Barrier Reef catchment for more information on application forms for ERA 13A.
'Properly made' applications for an EA
You must address the mandatory information requirements in section 125 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (as well as section 126 for site-specific coal seam gas activities and section 126A for particular resource projects and activities). Where an application does not meet these requirements, it will not be 'properly made' and will be returned to you without assessment.
There are important aspects of the mandatory application requirements. These relate to assessing and detailing any potential environmental impacts, and proposing measures to avoid, minimise or manage them. Refer to the technical information requirements for an EA application. The application form provides prompts for applicants to address these matters. Where an application does not meet these requirements, the administering authority will write to you to:
- explain why and in what ways they consider your application to be deficient
- explain what action you should take to address these matters
- inform how long you have to do these things.
If you do not respond sufficiently to this notice then your application will lapse and be returned to you without assessment.
For an EA application where DESI is the administering authority
When DESI is your administering authority, your application for an EA will be assessed in line with the DESI Regulatory Strategy.
Also consider...
- Find out how to lodge a development application.
- Find out about lodging a development application to SARA online.
- Find out how to comply with an EA.
- Learn how to how to change, combine or transfer an EA.
- Find out how to surrender or suspend an EA.
- Read the guideline on Approval processes for environmental authorities (ESR/2015/1743) (PDF, 884KB) for more details on EA assessment processes.
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:
- application requirements for activities with impacts to air (ESR/2015/1840) (PDF, 528KB)
- application requirements for activities with impacts to land (ESR/2015/1839) (PDF, 177KB)
- application requirements for activities with noise impacts (ESR/2015/1838) (PDF, 399KB)
- application requirements for activities with impacts to water (ESR/2015/1837) (PDF, 528KB)
- application requirements for activities with waste impacts – (ESR/2015/1836) (PDF, 167KB)*
- requirements for site-specific and amendment applications – underground water rights (ESR/2016/3275) (PDF, 419KB)
- guideline – greenhouse gas emissions (ESR/2024/6819) (PDF, 710KB).
*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...
- Find out how to comply with an EA.
- Learn how to change, combine or transfer an EA.
- Find out how to surrender or suspend an EA.
Responding to information requests for your 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 may receive an 'information request' if you make a 'properly made' variation or site-specific application for an environmental authority (EA). This means the administering authority needs more information before they can make a decision about your application.
Where the mandatory application requirements are met – in the ways required by the application form, and as explained in the relevant technical guidelines, and agreed at the pre-lodgement meeting – an information request will generally not be required.
Environmental impact statements
For some higher risk or large scale activities, the administering authority may ask for an environmental impact statement (EIS).
An information request will not apply to an application where an EIS process under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 has been completed prior to an application being made in certain circumstances. If the application is for a site-specific mining activity relating to a mining lease, there must also be a proposed progressive rehabilitation and closure plan (PRC plan). If there is no proposed PRC plan for the application, the administering authority must request it during the information stage.
Read more about the relationship between an EA application and the EIS process.
Response time for an information request
The information request will specify the information you need to provide and how long you have to respond.
The time you have to respond will be at least:
- 2 years if an EIS is required
- 6 months for all other requests.
How to respond to an information request
You must respond to the information request by giving the administering authority one of the following:
- all the information requested
- some of the information requested with written notice to continue to assess the application
- none of the information requested with written notice to continue to assess the application.
However, if the information request requires the applicant to submit a proposed PRC plan it must be provided. A proposed PRC plan must be submitted using the Submission of a progressive rehabilitation and closure plan (ESR/2019/4957) (DOCX, 214KB) form.
If you do not supply the additional information or only supply part of the information requested, your application may be refused or stricter conditions may be imposed.
If you do not respond within the required time frame, your application will lapse and you will have to reapply for your EA.
Extending the response time
If you wish to request more time to respond to the information request, you must ask the administering authority for this extension at least 10 business days before the information request deadline.
The administering authority will send you an information notice within 5 business days of receiving the request, letting you know whether it has decided to extend the time you have to respond.
Also consider...
- Find out how to comply with an EA.
- Find out how to change, combine or transfer an EA.
- Find out how to surrender or suspend an EA.
- Read the guideline on Approval processes for environmental authorities (PDF, 884KB) for more details on EA assessment processes.
Public notification requirements for environmental authority applications
Use our forms and fees finder for information on applying for a new environmental authority (EA) or managing your existing EAs.
Some EA applications for resource activities require public notification.
Public notification allows the public to see information contained in your EA application and make submissions for the administering authority to consider when assessing your EA.
When to provide public notification
You must provide public notification if you apply for:
- a new EA for mining activities relating to a mining lease, including standard, variation and site-specific applications
- a site-specific application for a geothermal, GHG storage or petroleum activity
- a progressive rehabilitation and closure plan (PRCP) schedule.
You may need to conduct public notification when applying to amend an EA for a mining activity relating to a mining lease, or an EA for a site-specific geothermal activity, GHG storage activity or petroleum activity, if the administering authority decides the amendment is a major amendment. If you are required to undertake public notification, you will be notified in the notice of assessment level decision.
Note: Public notification may not be required for the above applications if the environment impact statement (EIS) for all activities that are the subject of the application have been notified under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 or State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971, in certain circumstances. Furthermore, for a site-specific application for mining activity relating to a mining lease, if a proposed PRC plan was not notified during the EIS process, the notification stage can only start if there is a proposed PRC plan for the application.
How to provide public notification
You will usually be required to publish an application notice (ESR/2016/2378) (DOCX, 145KB) using local or widely read media and communication channels. If you are making a site-specific application, you are required to publish the application notice, application documents, the response to any information requests, and if applicable, the proposed PRC plan, on your company website.
How to provide a submission
Individuals or organisations can provide a submission about an application or a proposed PRC plan for the application by completing and submitting the submission form for an application or amendment application (ESR/2015/1617) (DOCX, 182KB) to the relevant administering authority.
Submissions must be received on or before 4.30pm on the last day of the submission period. The submission deadline and forwarding address are on the application notice.
When you have met all of the public notification requirements for your application, you must notify the administering authority by submitting a declaration of compliance with public notification requirements for resource activities (ESR/2015/1622) (DOCX, 245KB).
How to provide an objection
If the administering authority decides to approve an application for a mining activity relating to a mining lease, the applicant and any submitters will receive a written notice of the decision and draft EA.
A submitter may request that their submission be an objection to the application by completing and submitting the application or amendment application for an environmental authority (mining activities relating to a mining lease) – objection notice/request for referral to the Land Court (ESR/2016/3259) (DOCX, 122KB) to the relevant administering authority. Objections must be received within the objection period stated on the notice of decision.
How to request referral to Land Court
If the administering authority decides to approve an application for a mining activity relating to a mining lease, the applicant may request that the administering authority refer the application to the Land Court by completing and submitting the application or amendment application for an environmental authority (mining activities relating to a mining lease) – objection notice/request for referral to the Land Court (ESR/2016/3259) (DOCX, 101KB) to the relevant administering authority. The request must be given to the administering authority within the period stated on the notice of decision. This notice may also be used to advise the administering authority that a referral to Land Court will not be made, where you are satisfied with the decision.
If the administering authority decides to refuse an application for a mining activity relating to a mining lease, the applicant may request an internal review of the decision or appeal to the Land Court. For more information, read internal review and appeals (ESR/2015/1742) (PDF, 487KB).
Resource activities other than mining
For more information, read public notice requirements and submissions about site-specific applications for EAs for resource activities other than mining (ESR/2016/2384) (PDF, 387KB).
Also consider...
- Find out how to comply with an EA.
- Learn how to change, combine or transfer an EA.
- Find out how to surrender or suspend an EA.
- Read the guideline on Approval processes for environmental authorities (PDF, 884KB) for more details on EA assessment processes.
Assessment process for environmental authority applications
Use our forms and fees finder for information on applying for a new environmental authority (EA) or managing your existing EAs.
The assessment stages for your application will depend on both the type of application (standard, variation or site-specific) and the environmentally relevant activity.
Read the Approval processes for environmental authorities (ESR/2015/1743) (PDF, 884KB) guideline for more information on assessment stages.
What will the administering authority consider when deciding my application?
Assessment criteria will be applied to your EA application, including:
- the regulatory requirements
- standard criteria.
Your application will be assessed on these criteria, and the information you supply in your application.
Regulatory requirements
The regulatory requirements include a series of considerations and environmental objective assessments that an assessing officer must use to determine if your proposal meets the required environmental standards. These considerations are also used to determine the conditions of the EA you must comply with.
The regulatory requirements are specified in chapter 4 of Environmental Protection Regulation 2019.
Standard criteria
In addition to the regulatory requirements, the administering authority must also consider the standard criteria before deciding whether or not to approve your application, and what conditions to apply to your EA.
The standard criteria are specified in the 'definitions' section of the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
Read the Assessment requirements for making a decision for an EA for an environmentally relevant activity guideline (ESR/2015/1725) (PDF, 455KB) for further information on the assessment criteria.
When will I be informed of the decision?
The administering authority will inform you once it has assessed your application.
If your application is approved, you will be issued with an EA, which will contain a set of conditions you will need to comply with.
There may be conditions on your EA that you will need to address before conducting any activities authorised under the EA. For example, the holder of an EA for a resource activity must have an estimated rehabilitation cost decision, and provide scheme assurance (either as a scheme fund contribution or surety under the Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial Provisioning) Act 2018) before commencing activities.
Learn more about complying with your EA, including information about financial assurance and preparing a plan of operations.
What can I do if I disagree with the decision?
The Environmental Protection Act 1994 provides for the right to internal review for certain decisions (an original decision), including a refusal of an application for an EA, and the imposition of conditions. If you are not satisfied with the results of an internal review, there are circumstances when you can appeal the decision in Court. You should submit an application for review of original decision (ESR/2015/1573) (DOC,117KB) in the first instance to have your original decision reviewed.
Read more about the process for internal review and appeal of an EA decision in the Planning and Environment Court or Land Court in the information sheet Internal review and appeals (ESR/2015/1742) (PDF, 487KB).
When does my EA take effect?
The date your EA takes effect ('take effect date' or 'take effect event') depends on the type of activity. An EA cannot take effect before:
- a resource tenure is granted (for resource activities)
- a development permit for a material change of use takes effect (for prescribed environmentally relevant activities (ERAs) – this applies where the assessable development trigger is a material change of use for an ERA or if the proposed development triggers assessable development as a material change of use for other triggers under the Planning Act 2016)
- an approval of the Coordinator General takes effect, under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.
You can nominate a take effect date for a prescribed ERA if you don't want to begin your activity immediately. To do this, you must complete the relevant section of your EA application with the effect date you want.
If none of the above apply the EA takes effect on a day or event stated by the administering authority on the EA or if no date is stated, on the day the EA is issued.
Note: For resource activities, an EA will only be approved with a progressive rehabilitation and closure plan (PRC plan) schedule. The proposed PRC plan will be considered concurrently as part of the EA application or, for transitional PRC plans, as though it was submitted as part of an EA application.
It is an offence to carry out an EA for an ERA if the EA has not taken effect. Incorrectly claiming that a development permit has been issued or is not required may result in prosecution for operating without an EA and for providing false or misleading information.
Also consider...
- Find out how to comply with an EA.
- Find out how to change, combine or transfer an EA.
- Find out how to surrender or suspend an EA.
Environmental authority conditions
The administering authority may impose conditions on your environmental authority (EA) in order to manage environmental risks that are associated with the activity or meet the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1994. Conditions may relate to the operation of the activity and any rehabilitation requirements.
Learn more about the risk-based conditioning approach (ESR/2023/6443) (PDF, 409KB).
When applying for an EA, you can use Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA) standards, model conditions or common conditions to:
- predict the core conditions likely to be imposed on your EA
- tailor the content of your application (e.g. your business may want to propose environmental protection commitments to inform your administering authority's decisions when setting release limits).
ERA standards
ERA standards have been developed for lower risk ERAs suitable for the standard application process, and include eligibility criteria and standard conditions.
Learn more about activities suitable for standard applications.
Mandatory conditions
The Environmental Protection Act 1994 prescribes some conditions that must be complied with by operators of certain activities. These conditions apply in addition to any conditions imposed through an EA for the activity.
Mandatory conditions are prescribed in relation to the following:
- restricted stimulation fluids for resource activities other than mining
- progressive rehabilitation and closure plan schedules
- estimated rehabilitation costs for resource activities
- replenishment of financial assurance for prescribed ERAs.
Further conditions apply to an EA where an environmental offset is required, these are called deemed conditions and they are prescribed under the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.
Mandatory conditions may also apply for specific projects that have undergone an Environmental Impact Assessment evaluation by the Coordinator-General.
Model conditions
Model conditions are prototype conditions that may be applied to EAs if a site-specific (or amendment) application is made. They provide guidance on the administering authority's expectations for managing risks to the environment from certain activities and help to ensure consistency across the state.
Model conditions are not mandatory. Where a condition is not relevant to the operation, it would not be placed on the EA. Additional site-specific conditions may be applied to address risks that are specific to a particular operation or site.
Despite the availability of model conditions, it is important to meet all the application requirements so the administering authority can make a decision about your application.
The following model conditions have been developed to help businesses conducting some of the more frequently undertaken activities:
- ERA 1 – aquaculture (ESR/2021/5563) (PDF, 770KB)
- ERA 16 – extraction and screening activities (ESR/2015/1666) (PDF, 187KB)
- ERA 53 – composting and soil conditioner manufacturing (ESR/2015/1665) (PDF, 242KB)
- ERA 60 – waste disposal (ESR/2015/1667) (PDF, 157KB)
- ERA 63 – sewage treatment (ESR/2015/1668) (PDF, 230KB)
- Model operating conditions (Air)—Port of Townsville—ERA 50 (1) Bulk material handling (minerals) (ESR/2019/4794) (PDF, 1MB)
- Model mining conditions (ESR/2016/1936) (PDF, 1.2MB)
- Streamlined model conditions for petroleum activities (ESR/2016/1989) (PDF, 1.4MB).
When model conditions have not been developed for an activity, the common conditions may apply.
Common conditions
Common conditions may apply to your EA if you make a site-specific application for a prescribed activity where model conditions have not been developed.
Common conditions may also apply if:
- you cannot meet the eligibility criteria of an ERA standard and must make a site-specific application
- you cannot fully comply with the standard conditions of an ERA standard and apply for a variation application
- the model operating conditions for your particular ERA do not adequately address an environmental risk specific to your operation or site.
Learn more about common conditions for prescribed ERAs (ESR/2015/1828) (PDF, 371KB).
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021