The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) allows bilateral agreements between the Australian and Queensland (Qld) governments. These let us accredit Qld environmental assessment and approval processes.
Bilateral agreements can reduce duplication. They allow states or territories to use their own processes to assess actions under the EPBC Act.
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. This report informs their final decision about whether to approve an action or not.
If your project needs to be assessed under relevant Queensland and Australian Government law, the two responsible agencies will seek to undertake the assessments under a single process.
Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation
The Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation is responsible assessing large resource projects. This is under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
For information on the Environmental Protection Act 1994, visit the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation website.
Queensland Department of State Development and Infrastructure
The Queensland Department of State Development and Infrastructure is responsible for assessing infrastructure projects of economic, social and/or environmental significance to Queensland under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.
For information on the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 visit the Department of State Development and Infrastructure website.
Assessment agreement with Queensland
Under the assessment bilateral agreement, the Commonwealth Minister can use the Queensland process to inform an assessment of the impacts of any eligible action.
This updated the assessment bilateral agreement made under section 45 of the EPBC Act.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about bilateral agreements with Queensland:
- Email: epbc.referrals@dcceew.gov.au
- Phone 1800 423 135 to leave a voicemail message. We will return your call as soon as possible.