The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) allows bilateral agreements between the Australian and Victorian (Vic) governments. These let us accredit Victorian environmental assessment and approval processes.
Bilateral agreements allow each state or territory to assess proposed actions (projects or developments) on behalf of the Australian Government.
They remove the need for a separate assessment, reducing duplication. The Commonwealth Environment minister uses a state or territory's environmental assessment report to inform the final decision about whether to approve an action.
Assessment bilateral agreements have existed with all states and territories since 2015.
Assessment agreement with Victoria
Under the assessment bilateral agreement, the Commonwealth minister can use the Victorian process to inform an assessment of the impacts of any eligible action.
On 27 October 2014, the Victorian and Australian governments signed the Victorian Assessment Bilateral Agreement under section 45 of the EPBC Act.
Victorian Assessment Bilateral Agreement (PDF 13 MB)
Victorian Assessment Bilateral Agreement (DOCX 732 KB)
Public consultation
We published the draft assessment bilateral agreement for public comment from 5 September to 3 October 2014. Ten submissions were received during the public consultation process.
Find out more
Notice of intent to enter agreement (PDF 16 KB)
Notice of intent to enter agreement(DOCX 25 KB)
Report on comments (PDF 162 KB)
Report on comments (DOCX 51 KB)
The Environment minister's Statement of reasons (PDF 262 KB)
The Environment minister's Statement of reasons (DOCX 69.45 KB)
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the bilateral agreement with Victoria:
- Email: epbc.referrals@dcceew.gov.au
- Phone: 1800 423 135 between 9 am and 5 pm Canberra time.