Federal environmental approvals that keep your project moving.
Projects that may impact Matters of National Environmental Significance require approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Navigating the EPBC approval process is often one of the most critical and complex stages of delivering infrastructure, mining and renewable energy projects in Australia.
How we can help
Applied Environment & Safety prepares EPBC referrals, coordinates supporting environmental assessments and guides projects through every Federal environmental approval pathway, from self-assessments and referrals through to controlled action assessments and bilateral processes.
Our team provides strategic guidance to ensure your project meets Federal environmental requirements, de-risks approval timelines and progresses efficiently through the EPBC approval process.
Featured Project
Environmental Management Plans & Inspections
Noosa, Queensland
Applied Environment & Safety provided environmental support to PCA Ground Engineering during road embankment stabilisation works in Noosa, Queensland. These works were important to maintaining the long-term serviceability of the road and drainage infrastructure at this location.
Our role on this project was to provide technical environmental support. This included the development of a Construction Environmental Management Plan, Sediment and Erosion Control Plan, and Rehabilitation Plan. Then we undertook inspections of the works during construction to ensure compliance with the controls for the environmental aspects.
What’s involved
EPBC approval support spans the full Federal environmental assessment lifecycle, from initial referral strategy through to post-approval compliance. We provide end-to-end consulting for complex projects with exposure to Matters of National Environmental Significance.
Our EPBC services include:
- MNES impact identification and significance assessment
- EPBC referral preparation and lodgement
- Controlled action assessment coordination and technical studies
- Regulator engagement with DCCEEW throughout assessment
- Mitigation hierarchies and biodiversity offset strategy
- Post-approval compliance, management plans and reporting
Our approach
We work alongside project teams, consultants and legal advisors from the earliest stages of project planning. Early-stage EPBC referral strategy typically determines whether a project experiences months of delay or moves through approval on schedule, so getting the first steps right matters.
Our consultants combine technical environmental expertise with strategic approval planning. We coordinate the studies, prepare the documentation, engage with regulators on your behalf, and manage the approval pathway end-to-end.
Industries We Support
EPBC approvals are most often triggered by Australia’s largest infrastructure, resources and energy projects. We work across all three sectors.
Power & Renewables
With vast experience within the power & renewables industry, we understand the risks and opportunities.
Mining & Resources
We provide environmental and safety consulting support to exploration and production operations within the mining and resources industry.
Transport & Civil Works
Our experience in environmental and safety management provides practical support to our clients within the transport & civil works.
Why Work With Applied Environment & Safety
We combine deep EPBC Act expertise with practical, project-focused delivery. Our team is built around the commercial realities of complex approvals, timelines, conditions, and regulator relationships.
We’re not a generalist consultancy. We work exclusively in environmental planning, operational management and HSEQ systems for Australian projects.
Discuss Your EPBC Approval Requirements
If your organisation requires support navigating environmental planning and regulatory approvals, Applied Environment & Safety can assist.
Our team works with organisations across Australia to support environmental planning, regulatory engagement and environmental approval processes.
Contact our team today to discuss your project requirements.
Other Environmental Planning & Approval Services
Environmental Constraints Assessment & Feasibility
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Environmental Due Diligence Planning & Approvals
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Environmental Impact Assessment
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State Level Environmental Approvals & Planning
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Environmental Approval Process & Regulator Liaison
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FAQ’s
Common questions from project teams about the Federal environmental approval process under the EPBC Act.
An EPBC approval is a Federal environmental approval required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 for projects that may have a significant impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES).
A project requires EPBC approval when its actions are likely to have a significant impact on one or more of the nine Matters of National Environmental Significance, including listed threatened species, migratory species, Ramsar wetlands and world heritage properties.
EPBC approval timeframes vary depending on the assessment pathway, project complexity and the nature of environmental impacts. Referrals are assessed within statutory timeframes, with more complex assessments requiring additional time for environmental studies and regulator engagement.
MNES are the nine protected matters defined under the EPBC Act: listed threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species, Ramsar wetlands, world heritage properties, national heritage places, Commonwealth marine areas, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, nuclear actions, and water resources in relation to coal seam gas and large coal mining developments.
Yes. EPBC approval operates separately from state environmental approvals. A project may require both Federal EPBC approval and state-level environmental approvals depending on its location, scale and potential environmental impacts.
A referral is the initial submission that asks the Commonwealth to decide whether a project is a “controlled action” under the EPBC Act. If it is deemed controlled, the project then proceeds to a formal environmental assessment before a final approval decision can be made.
Get in Touch
Contact Applied Environment & Safety today to see how we can help you.