New South Wales DECCW Audit System
Western Australia Audit System
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Auditing
Engineering Management & Dangerous Goods Audits
The ACT Environment Protection Authority administers auditing under the Environment Protection Act 1997 and the Environment Protection Regulation 2005.
Under the Environment Protection Act 1997, the requirements of the environmental regulations, including works approvals and licences, must be consistent with Environment Protection Policies (EPPs) of which there are nine:
- General;
- Water Quality;
- Air;
- Noise;
- Contaminated Sites;
- Hazardous Materials;
- Waste Water Reuse;
- Motor Sport Noise, and
- Outdoor Concert Noise.
Environmental audits are defined under section 74 of the Act as an assessment of an activity to:
- Identify sources, cause or extent of environmental harm or breaches of the Act resulting from the activity;
- Determine the need for any change in management practices to reduce environmental impact; and
- Identify the extent and nature of any contravention or likely contravention.
The ACT EPA encourages voluntary audits under section 78 of the Act where person proposing to undertake this type of audit may apply to the EPA for legal protection for the audit findings.
Under section 76 of the Act, the EPA may require an environmental audit when activity managers do not voluntarily take advantage of the voluntary audit provisions. Further to this the EPA may also require an audit under section 51 of the Act as a condition of an environmental authorization. Audits may be required when:
- The person has contravened, is contravening or is likely to contravene an environmental authorization, an environment protection order or provision of the Act; or has breached, is breaching or is likely to breach and environmental protection agreement; and
- Serious or material environmental harm has or may result.
Under the Act, and environmental auditor can only be conducted by a qualified auditor who is approved by the EPA under section 75 of the Act. The EPA holds a list of qualified auditors. Auditors who are recognised under the NSW Site Auditor Scheme also qualify for this.
Useful publications and polices that apply in the ACT can be found on their website: http://www.environment.act.gov.au/environment/environment_protection_authority_legislation_and_policies
Tasmania and Northern Territory
The Tasmanian and Northern Territory Governments do not have contaminated land audit schemes, at present. However Contaminated Land Auditors from Victoria and New South Wales are recognised to perform third party review functions on sites, where called upon.
In Tasmania the Tasmanian EPA Contaminated Sites Unit administers environmental regulations relating to contaminated sites. Their website can be found at: http://www.environment.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=400
In the Northern Territory, no formal Audit system exists, however where necessary investigations may be audited utilizing either of the NSW or Victorian audit schemes.
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