Compliance and enforcement
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) establishes a strong framework for protection of the environment and the conservation of biodiversity. It includes a broad range of enforcement mechanisms for managing suspected or identified instances of non-compliance and for reviewing the compliance of referred projects. The Australian Government's approach to environmental compliance with the EPBC Act is outlined in the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Compliance and Enforcement Policy. The Department investigates all allegations of non compliance and has a range of enforcement mechanisms available to it.
These mechanisms include:
- that the Minister may direct that an environmental audit be carried out if he or she has reasonable grounds to believe that a person has contravened or is likely to contravene an environmental approval or permit issued under the EPBC Act
- civil or criminal penalties that can apply to individuals and corporations that contravene the requirements for environmental approvals under the Act, including the provision of false or misleading information to obtain approval
- remediation orders and determinations to repair or mitigate environmental damage resulting from a contravention of the EPBC Act
- enforceable undertakings to negotiate civil penalties and provide for future compliance
If you are concerned about an action and believe that it may have a significant impact on a matter protected by the EPBC Act, you should contact the Department. Report a breach of the EPBC Act
More information
- Monitoring of projects referred under the EPBC Act
- Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Compliance and Enforcement Policy
- Compliance and enforcement publications
- Environment assessment and approval process
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