The purpose of a referral is to determine whether your proposed action will need formal assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Your referral will be the principal basis for the Minister's decision as to whether approval is necessary and, if so, the type of assessment that will be taken.
You may still make a referral if you believe your action is not going to have a significant impact, or if you are unsure.
Submitting a referral
Submission of EPBC referrals is via
If you are unable to access Online Services please send an enquiry through Ask Us Anything or contact Referrals Gateway on 1800 423 135 or epbc.referrals@environment.gov.au
Payment
Payment of the referral fee can be made using one of the following methods:
Credit card payment through Online Services
Once you have submitted your EPBC Act referral you can make a credit card payment online
EFT Payments can be made to:
BSB: 092-009
Bank Account No. 115859
Amount: $6,577
Account Name: Department of the Environment and Energy
Bank: Reserve Bank of Australia
Bank Address: 20-22 London Circuit Canberra ACT 2601
Description: The EPBC reference number for the proposal
Cheque
Payable to “Department of the Environment and Energy”. Include the EPBC reference number provided. If posted send to:
The Referrals Gateway
Department of the Environment and Energy
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Cost recovery
From 1 October 2014 the Australian Government commenced cost recovery arrangements for environmental assessments and some strategic assessments under the EPBC Act. If an action is referred on or after 1 October 2014, then cost recovery will apply to both the referral and any assessment activities undertaken.
Application Form for the Reconsideration of EPBC Act Cost Recovery Fees
A person can apply for a reconsideration of a fee prescribed by the Regulations. A person can only apply once for a reconsideration. Reconsiderations are not available where the Minister has personally used the method to work out the fee.
The method for determining the fee requires the delegate to determine which components of the complexity matrix apply and the complexity level of those components. Base fees, contingent fees, fees associated with post approval activities (except for the variation of an action management plan) are not worked out using a method and therefore are not subject to a reconsideration request.
A referral fee cannot be subject to a reconsideration request. Note there is no fee charged for the reconsideration of a method used to calculate the fee.
If you wish to seek a reconsideration of a fee, you will need to make a request within 30 business days after you have been notified of the fee (not the day in which fees are paid or become payable).The department will reconsider the way the method was used to work out the disputed fee and either confirm the fee or determine a new fee by using the method again. The department will advise the person of the outcome and the reasons for that outcome. You are also required to acknowledge that, as a result of the reconsideration, a new fee may be worked out and that the new fee may be for a higher amount than the original fee.
Application Form for the Reconsideration of EPBC Act Cost Recovery Fees (DOCX - 24.4 KB)
Submit the form by either:
Email epbc.referrals@environment.gov.au
Mail
Referrals Gateway
Department of the Environment and Energy
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601