We regulate the export, import and transit of hazardous waste. This ensures Australia meets its international obligations.
Inappropriate hazardous waste practices can cause harm to human health and the environment. We help prevent this harm.
We educate and raise awareness of safe, appropriate practices. Where necessary, we also use regulatory powers to respond to non-compliance.
Permits
You must have a permit before you export, import or transit hazardous waste.
See how to apply.
We assess the eligibility of each permit application. Your permit may be conditional to you meeting certain requirements and conditions. These could include:
- how waste will be packaged
- incident controls
- approved routes (ports)
- a maximum waste quantity.
If something changes you must apply to vary the permit by contacting us.
You must also meet maintenance, record-keeping and reporting requirements. This includes submitting:
- registering of movement forms
- a final disposal certificate
- confirmatory analytical results.
Contact us if you’re unsure of your permit conditions. We want to work with you to help prevent harm to the environment and human health.
Phone 1800 920 528 or email hazardous.waste@dcceew.gov.au
Approach to compliance
Our Compliance Policy applies a risk-based approach to prevent and respond to breaches. We want to support voluntary compliance through education and communication.
To help you understand your obligations, we may:
- provide online technical information and guides
- present webinars
- send out newsletters
- monitor compliance
- investigate non-compliance
We can respond to non-compliance. How we respond will depend on how harmful or potentially harmful a breach is.
If you don’t comply, you may face civil proceedings, fines, or imprisonment.
Information about your contraventions may be published as court proceedings, on a criminal record or on our website as required.
By following the law, you help prevent harm to the environment and human health. Lawful and ethical decisions protect your business from reputational damage and financial penalties.
Report non-compliance
If you suspect someone is importing or exporting hazardous waste without a permit, you should report them to us.
We will assess all allegations to determine if we need to take further action. If you report a breach, we will hold your details in strict confidence.
You can also:
- report suspicious border activities via the Border Watch program,
- report marine incidents via the Australian Marine Safety Authority’s incident alert form.