We use our enforcement powers to ensure compliance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and its regulations.
You may face heavy fines or jail if a court finds that you have broken the law. You may also need to repair the damage or compensate those affected.
Penalties to enforce the Act
If a court finds you have breached the EPBC Act or its regulations, you may face civil or criminal penalties. This includes fines and potential jail time.
Fines are measured in penalty units. The value of one penalty unit is set in the Crimes Act 1914. For offences committed on or after 1 July 2024, a penalty unit is $313. This amount increases every 3 years.
At the current rate for a penalty unit, the maximum penalty for breaching the EPBC Act is:
- a civil penalty of up to 5,000 penalty units for an individual or up to 50,000 for a body corporate
- a criminal penalty of up to 7 years’ imprisonment and/or 420 penalty units.
The penalty is different depending on whether your:
- actions had an impact on a matter of national environmental significance
- actions had an impact on Commonwealth land (without first having an approval)
- actions, or failure to act, meant you went against a condition of approval
- approval or permit included false information, leading to environmental damage.
Compliance and enforcement actions
In addition to civil and criminal penalties, there are other ways we enforce the EPBC Act. This includes:
- infringement notices
- injunctions
- directed variations
- directed environmental audits
- remediation of damage to the protected matter or third parties
- enforceable undertakings.
Read more about how we enforce the EPBC Act.
Directed variations
In response to a contravention of a condition attached to an approval, it is open to the Minister to direct a variation to the conditions attached to the approval.
You will find judgments from 2016 and earlier on the Trove Website Archive, maintained by the National Library of Australia.
| Date | Project name | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2026 | Wellard Village Primary School Development, Lambeth Circle, Wellard, WA (EPBC 2020/8732) |
The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC approval for EPBC 2020/8732 in response to non-compliance with condition of the approval. The non-compliance related to failure to:
The varied conditions place a timeframe and expected outcomes for offsets and include mandatory 3 yearly audit requirements. |
| 17 February 2026 | Ravensthorpe Nickel Project, WA (EPBC 2001/172) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC approval for EPBC 2001/172 in response to non-compliance with conditions of the approval. The non-compliance related to failing to implement the approved Heath Mouse and Western Whipbird Management Plan and failing to submit 5 yearly reports on habitat clearing and the effectiveness of rehabilitation works. The varied conditions define the development envelope, require the submission of an updated management plan and add contemporary administrative conditions to the condition set. |
| 05 December 2025 | Tomago Road Industrial Development, Tomago, NSW (EPBC 2007/3343) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC approval for EPBC 2007/3343 in response to non-compliance with conditions of the approval. The non-compliance related to failing to implement the approved stage 1 stormwater and groundwater management plans and implementing a version of a plan that had not been approved by the Minister, in the place of the approved plan. The varied conditions define the stage boundaries of the Action and add contemporary administrative conditions to the condition set. |
| 28 October 2025 | Goyder South Hybrid Renewable Energy Facility, Wind Farm 1B, SA (EPBC 2021/8957) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC approval for EPBC 2021/8957 in response to non-compliance with conditions of the approval. The non-compliance related to delays in securing the offset and clearing more than approved limits. The varied conditions place a timeframe on offset securement, update clearance limits to reflect the impact that has resulted and has been offset, and contemporises the condition set to improve enforceability. |
| 19 September 2025 | Pine Valley Residential Development, Morayfield, Queensland (EPBC 2018/8359) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC approval for EPBC 2018/8359 in response to non-compliance with conditions of the approval. The non-compliance related to undertaking clearing outside the project area; and clearing without a qualified fauna spotter catcher present. The varied conditions are to compensate for the clearing of Koala food trees and Grey-headed Flying-fox foraging trees. |
| 12 September 2025 | Meteor Downs South Mine Rail Loop, Queensland (EPBC 2019/8482) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC approval for EPBC 2019/8482 in response to non-compliance with the conditions of approval. The non-compliance related to failure to implement the project’s offset management plan and matters of national environmental significance management plan, failure to publish management plans, failure to report non-compliance to the department and failure to prepare and publish annual compliance reports. The varied conditions add contemporary administrative conditions to the condition set. |
| 12 September 2025 | Meteor Downs South Coal Project, Qld (EPBC 2013/6799) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC approval for EPBC 2013/6799 in response to non-compliance with the conditions of approval. The non-compliance related to failure to implement the project’s offset management plan, matters of national environmental significance management plan and groundwater monitoring and management plan, failure to publish management plans, failure to report non-compliance to the department and failure to prepare and publish annual compliance reports. The varied conditions require a management plan be approved prior to further use of one of the project’s sumps and adds contemporary administrative conditions to the condition set. |
| 12 September 2025 | Spreyton Concrete Sleeper Replacement Program, Tasmania (EPBC 2012/6392) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC approval for EPBC 2012/6392 in response to non-compliance with the conditions of approval. The non-compliance related to failure to undertake protected matter rehabilitation actions and failure to prepare and publish annual compliance reports. The varied conditions require the approval holder to submit and subsequently implement an offset strategy and adds contemporary administrative conditions to the condition set. |
| 03 September 2025 | Greenbushes Lithium mine expansion, WA (EPBC 2018/8206) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC approval for EPBC 2018/8206 in response to non-compliance with conditions of the approval. The non-compliance related to undertaking clearing without a qualified fauna spotter present, failing to submit an additional offset proposal and failure to report incidents to the department within specified timeframes. The varied conditions alter the date required for submission of an additional offset proposal and increase enforceability. |
| 22 August 2025 | Augmentation of East Point Effluent Rising Main, Darwin, NT (EPBC 2009/5113) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2009/5113 in response to non-compliance with conditions of the approval. The non-compliance related to monitoring and reporting relating to foraging habitat for marine turtles, inshore dolphins and dugong. |
| 15 August 2025 | Diggers Rest Precinct Development Lots 1 & 3, Diggers Rest (EPBC 2012/6556) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2012/6556. The non-compliance related to failing to meet administrative requirements required by condition 5. |
| 27 July 2025 | Lee Point Master-planned Urban Development (EPBC 2015/7591) | The Minister issued a directed variation to Defence Housing Australia in response to non-compliance with conditions of their EPBC Act approval (EPBC 2015/7591). The non-compliance related to clearing outside of stages 1A, 2 & 3 prior to having a revised Construction Environmental Management Plan approved. |
| 07 July 2025 | United and Wambo Open Cut Coal Mine Project, Singleton, NSW (EPBC 2015/7600) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2015/7600 for failing to implement management plans, failing to retire offset credits, failing to meet reporting requirements, and failing to notify the department of modifications to the project’s NSW approval conditions. |
| 06 July 2025 | Piping of Open Drain and Translocation of Burrowing Crayfish at Sheffield Road, Devonport, Tasmania (EPBC 2011/6095) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2011/6095 for failing to implement the approved offset management plan and failing to submit annual compliance reports to the department. |
| 23 May 2025 | Industrial development, 165-195 O’Herns Road, Epping, VIC (EPBC 2017/7930) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2017/7930 for exceeding the approved clearing limits for protected matters and not complying with an approved management plan. |
| 28 May 2025 | Mary Mount Residential Development, Goulburn, NSW (EPBC 2017/8039) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2017/8039 to compensate for clearing/commencing construction in a project stage without an approved management plan. |
| 30 April 2025 | Sand Mine on Lot 122 Old Coast Road, Binninbup WA. | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to EPBC 2014/7164 for failing to comply with compliance recording and reporting requirements. The varied conditions clarify and strengthen record keeping and compliance monitoring requirements in line with best-practice standards. |
| 30 April 2025 | Stage 4 Twin Creeks Estate Luddenham NSW (EPBC 2004/1495) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2004/1495 for failing to implement the approved offset management plan and submit annual compliance reports to the department. |
| 31 March 2025 | Ripley Valley PDA Providence East and South, Qld (2018/8347) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2018/8347 for failing to secure an onsite conservation area within the required timeframe and continuing to clear in the development area without management plans being approved. |
| 20 March 2025 | Lynwood Quarry, Marulan NSW (EPBC 2012/6560) | The Minister directed a variation to the conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2012/6560 for failing to implement an approved management plan and secure an offset area. |
| 12 March 2025 | Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 Project, Mulgrave, Queensland (EPBC 2021/9133) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the approval for EPBC 2021/9133 for failing to implement the Offset Management Plan. |
| 28 February 2025 | To raise Lenthall’s Dam 2.0m above the existing spillway, on Doongul Creek at the headwaters of the Burrum River, Queensland | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2004/1716 for failing to secure the 80.6ha offset site and implement the offset management plan. |
| 3 February 2025 | Mitchell Freeway Extension and Wanneroo Road Upgrade, Western Australia (EPBC 2018/8367) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2018/8367 for failing to submit an Offset Strategy by the specified timeframe. |
| 3 February 2025 | Maxwell Coal Mine, Hunter Valley, NSW (EPBC 2018/8287) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2018/8287 for discharging dam water in an un-approved manner, failing to notify the department of relevant changes to the project’s NSW approval, and failing to comply with reporting requirements. |
| 19 January 2025 | Extension of Flagstaff Quarry, Lindisfarne, Tasmania (EPBC 2008/4210) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2008/4210 for failing to comply with annual reporting requirements and the requirement to have the Nature Conservation Plan approved by the Minister. |
| 19 January 2025 | Boundary Hill South Lease Extension (BHSLE), north of Biloela, Central Queensland (EPBC 2012/6324) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2012/6324 for failing to address compliance with the implementation of management plans in annual reports. |
| 19 January 2025 | Cowal Gold Operations – increased processing rate, Lake Cowal, New South Wales (EPBC 2017/7989) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2017/7989 for exceeding conditioned clearance limits for Superb Parrot foraging habitat by 5 hectares and failing to retire offset credits within 2 years of commencement of the action. |
| 8 January 2025 | 2020/8702 Russell Vale Colliery Revised Underground Expansion Project, Russell Vale, NSW | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the EPBC Act approval for EPBC 2020/8702 to manage water storage on site. |
| 13 December 2024 | Huntingfield Masterplan Stages 2 and 3, Huntingfield, Tasmania (EPBC 2020/8869) | The Minister directed a variation to approval conditions attached to approval EPBC 2020/8869 for commencing the action prior to a management plan being approved by the Minister and prior to a required covenant being in place. |
| 11 December 2024 | Residential Development, 60 Harvest Home Road, Wollert, Victoria (EPBC 2011/5812) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the approval of a residential development at 60 Harvest Home Road, Wollert, Victoria (EPBC 2011/5812) for failing to maintain accurate records and meet reporting obligations. |
| 15 November 2024 | To construct and operate an open cut coal mine at Oak Park, near Middlemount, Central Queensland, as an extension of the existing German Creak Coal Mine (EPBC 2003/1005) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the approval for EPBC 2003/1005, for failing to implement an approved strategy. |
| 15 November 2024 | West Belconnen strategic assessment (Ginninderry) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the West Belconnen strategic assessment in response to several non-compliances, including failure to implement an approved Offset Management Plan. |
| 14 November 2024 | La Trobe University Sports Precinct Stage 3, Bundoora Campus, Vic (EPBC 2018/8343) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the La Trobe University Sports Precinct Stage 3 approval (EPBC 2018/8343) for exceeding clearance limits specified in the conditions. |
| 6 November 2024 | Spring Gully North-West and North-East CSG Development, north-east of Roma, Qld (EPBC 2017/7881) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the Spring Gully North-West and North-East CSG Development (EPBC 2017/7881) for failing to legally secure environmental offsets within 2 years of commencement of the action, and implement the approval Offset Area Management Plan. |
| 28 October 2024 | Encourage Pty Ltd, commercial and residential development, lot 9508/DP54308, lot 2/D78068 and lot 3/D78069, Ravandale Drive, Coodanup Drive & Wanjeep Street, Tuckey Cove, Mandurah, WA (EPBC 2011/5928) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the commercial and residential development at lot 9508/DP54308, lot 2/D78068 and lot 3/D78069 (EPBC 2011/5928), for failing to provide required information about an offset area within 2 years of the date the approval was granted. |
| 16 September 2024 | Great Western Highway Upgrade Mt Victoria to Lithgow, Forty Bends Road Upgrade, Lithgow, NSW (2013/6804) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the Great Western Highway Upgrade (EPBC 2013/6804), for failing to maintain accurate records substantiating all activities associated with the conditions of approval and publishing compliance reports on their website within 3 months of every 12-month anniversary. The varied conditions allow for a Final Compliance Report to be submitted to the department and published on the approval holder’s website. |
| 12 September 2024 | Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport – St Marys to Elizabeth Drive, NSW, (EPBC 2020/8687) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the approval for EPBC 2020/8687 for failing to implement the approved Biodiversity Management Plan. |
| 5 September 2024 | Clarke Creek Wind Farm, Queensland (EPBC 2018/8141) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the Clarke Creek Wind Farm (EPBC 2018/8141), for failing to implement an approved offset strategy and management plan, to provide shapefiles on impacts to MNES and to report non-compliance. The varied conditions allow for the staging of development, preparation of bird and bat management plans and offset delivery. |
| 23 August 2024 | Main Road Level Crossing Removal Project, St Albans, Victoria (EPBC 2014/7203) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the Main Road level crossing removal project at St Albans (EPBC 2014/7203), for failing to undertake annual surveys of a management area. The varied conditions set impact limits for Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) at the management area and require a survey of the management area for MNES to be undertaken following the variation decision. |
| 23 August 2024 | Frankston Bypass – Carrum Downs to Mount Martha, Victoria (EPBC 2007/3480) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the Frankston Bypass (EPBC 2007/3480), for failing to implement an approved management plan. The varied conditions require an independent audit of compliance with the conditions of approval. |
| 6 August 2024 | 2017/8112 Asian Renewable Energy Hub, 220 km east of Port Hedland, WA | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the Asian Renewable Energy Hub (EPBC 2017/8112), for failing to submit an Offset Strategy for Greater Bilby within the timeframe required by the conditions of approval. The varied conditions require the approval holder to obtain the Minister’s approval of an Offset Strategy before commencing the action. |
| 6 August 2024 | 2017/7923 Residential Development on Lot 11 and 74 Beenyup Road, Banjup, WA | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the Residential Development on Lot 11 and 74 Beenyup Road (EPBC 2017/7923), for failing to submit a contingency offset plan within the timeframe required by the conditions of approval. The varied conditions require the approval holder to obtain the Minister’s approval of an Offset Strategy and Offset Management Plan before commencing the action. |
| 22 July 2024 | 2020/8676 Vulcan Complex Project, near Moranbah, Queensland | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the Vulcan Coal Complex Project (EPBC 2020/8676), for failing to legally secure offset areas within the timeframe required by the conditions of approval, and clearing outside of the approved project area. The varied conditions require management and legal securement of additional offset areas for Koala, and Squatter Pigeon. |
| 22 May 2024 | 2020/8702 Russell Vale Colliery Revised Underground Expansion Project Russell Vale NSW | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to the Russell Vale Colliery (EPBC 2020/8702) approval as an interim measure to manage water storage on site. |
| 3 April 2024 | 2021/9002 - Townsville City Council Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant Pipeline Project QLD | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to Townsville City Council's Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant Pipeline Project (2021/9002). The directed variation adds a condition that requires the approval holder to pay an additional $25,000 to the Black-throated Finch Fund by 30 June 2024. |
| 12 March 2024 | 2013/6732 - Gunnedah Council’s Blackjack Creek reconstruction | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to Gunnedah Council’s Blackjack Creek reconstruction (EPBC 2013/6732) approval, for failing to implement an approved offset management plan, contravening condition 2 of the approval. The conditions were varied to increase the size of the offset area and require the planting of an additional 500 Koala habitat tress within the offset area. |
| 5 March 2024 | 2020/8755 - Karara Wind Farm QLD | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to CleanCo Queensland Limited’s Karara Wind Farm (EPBC 2020/8755) approval, for failing to submit an offset management plan within the conditioned timeframe, contravening condition 5. The conditions were varied to exclude specific activities from the definition of commencement, such that the approved action is no longer considered to have commenced in its current state and to require approval of the offset management plan prior to commencement of the action in line with current best practice. |
| 16 January 2024 | 2001/422 - Water Storage Reservoir (Paradise Dam) | The Minister directed a variation to the approval conditions attached to Burnett Water Pty Ltd’s Water Storage Reservoir (Paradise Dam) (EPBC 2001/422) approval, for failing to implement an approved offset management plan, contravening condition 1 of the approval. The conditions were varied to improve enforceability and transparency, requiring Burnett Water Pty Ltd to legally secure a defined offset area for Black-breasted Button Quail. |
Other compliance outcomes
We publish the outcomes of breaches of the EPBC Act. You will find judgments from 2016 and earlier on the Trove Website Archive, maintained by the National Library of Australia.
| Date | Compliance outcome |
|---|---|
| 18/02/2026 |
On 18 February 2026, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water accepted 2 enforceable undertakings from Alcoa of Australia. This is under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for impacts to native vegetation comprising habitat for matters of national environmental significance. The offers are to the value of $55 million and include activities to expand conservation programs for species including:
|
| 13/02/2026 | A 61 year old male Australian citizen was convicted and sentenced to 8 years imprisonment, for the attempted export of 10 regulated native reptiles and the export of 1 regulated native reptile. |
| 22/01/2026 | A Melbourne-based e-waste recycling company, Weeebytes Pty Ltd, was issued an infringement notice for $19,800 for exporting hazardous e-waste without a hazardous waste export permit, in breach of section 33C of the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989. |
| 18/12/2025 | A 51 year old male Chinese national was convicted and sentenced to 2 years 10 months imprisonment, for the export of 60 regulated native reptiles. |
| 17/12/2025 | The Federal Court ruled that GE Grid Australia Pty Ltd contravened s 46(2C) of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 (Cth) (Ozone Act) on eight occasions and ordered GE Grid to pay to the Commonwealth pecuniary penalties in respect of the contraventions in the amount of $400,000 (being $50,000 per contravention); and pay the Minister’s costs of, and incidental to, the proceeding in the amount of $50,000. |
| 11/12/2025 | Two chemical import companies, Honeywell Polymers (Australia) Pty Limited and Sythree Pty Ltd, were each issued an infringement notice for $19,800 for breaching a condition of their controlled substances licences, in contravention of s 18(1) of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. |
| 05/12/2025 | A renewable energy equipment manufacturing company, GE Renewable Energy Pty Ltd, was fined a total of $39,600 in infringement notices for alleged unlicensed imports of equipment containing Synthetic Greenhouse Gas, in contravention of s 13AA of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. |
| 25/11/2025 | A 24 year old female Chinese national was convicted and sentenced to 18 months imprisonments, for the export of 3 CITES reptiles and attempted export of 4 CITES specimens. |
| 06/11/2025 | A 27 year old female Chinese national was convicted and sentenced to 2 years and 7 months imprisonment, for attempting to export 19 regulated native reptiles. |
| 30/10/2025 | A 28 year old Female Chinese national was convicted and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, for exporting 6 regulated native reptiles and attempting to export 1 regulated native reptile. |
| 23/09/2025 | A 22 year old male Chinese national was convicted and received a fine of $35,000, for attempting to export 76 regulated insect specimens. |
| 22/08/2025 | A 27 year old male Chinese National was convicted and sentenced to 2 years and 10 months imprisonment, for attempting to export 7 regulated native specimens, and 20 CITES specimens. |
| 05/08/2025 | A 23 year old female Chinese national was convicted and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment, for attempting to export of 18 regulated native reptiles. |
| 26/05/2025 | Munmorah Battery Projectco Pty Ltd was issued an infringement notice for $18,780 for alleged unlicensed imports of equipment containing Synthetic Greenhouse Gas, in contravention of s 13AA of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. |
| 11/04/2025 | A 37 year old Australian citizen was convicted on a number of state offences, as well as one Commonwealth offence for possession of a CITES listed species, and fined a total of $2,500. |
| 27/02/2025 | A 27 year old female Chinese national was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for exporting and attempting to export 22 native specimens. |
| 29/11/2024 | A 39-year-old Chinese national male was convicted and sentenced to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 2 years, for attempting to export 99 Australian native reptiles. |
| 13/08/2024 | A 25-year-old Chinese national male was convicted and fined $3000 for his involvement in the attempted export of Australian native specimens. |
| 10/07/2024 | A company was issued a total of $37,560 in infringement notices for alleged unlicensed imports of equipment containing Synthetic Greenhouse Gas, in contravention of section 13AA of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. |
| 03/05/2024 | A male was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment, to be served by way of an intensive corrections order (ICO), with conditions that he undertake counselling and programs and that he completes 150 hours of community service, for his involvement in the attempted export of Australian native specimens. |
| 19/04/2024 | A 20-year-old male was sentenced to a 2-year good behaviour order and required to pay a $500 surety in relation to dealing with money reasonably suspected of being proceeds of a crime, being the attempted export of Australian native specimens. |
| 12/04/2024 | A 33-year-old Chinese national male received an aggregate sentence of imprisonment of 2 years 4 months from 26 July 2023. The offender was released on 25 September 2024 upon entering a recognizance to be of good behaviour for a period of 2 years in relation to the attempted export of Australian native specimens. Upon release he was taken into immigration detention to be deported. |
| 27/03/2024 | A 43-year-old female was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment, to be served by way of an intensive corrections order (ICO), with conditions that she undertake counselling and programs and that she completes 360 hours of community service, for her involvement in the attempted export of Australian native specimens. |
| 22/03/2024 | A company was issued a total of $465,480 in infringement notices for alleged unlicensed imports of equipment containing Synthetic Greenhouse Gas, in contravention of section 13 and section 13AA of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. |
| 24/11/2023 | A 28-year-old Malaysian national male was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, to be released after serving six months, upon entering into a recognisance in the sum of $100 to be of good behaviour for a period of 12 months in relation to the export and attempted export of Australian native specimens. |
| 17/11/2023 | A 26-year-old Chinese national male was sentenced to imprisonment for a period of 12 months to be released after serving six months upon entering into a recognisance in the sum of $100 to be of good behaviour for a period of 6 months in relation to two counts of attempting to export regulated Australian native specimens. |
| 15/12/2021 |
On the 15 December 2021 the former Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment accepted an enforceable undertaking from a Queensland company under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 for impacts to native vegetation comprising of habitat for matters of national environmental significance. The offer provides for the provision of over $1.5m for the purpose of activities directed towards the protection and conservation of protected matters that have been impacted. |
| 10/12/2021 | On 10 December 2021, the Remediation Determination issued to Jam Land Pty Limited on 28 April 2020 was affirmed by the then Delegate to the Minister for the Environment. |
| 19/07/2021 | A 35-year-old Chinese national male was sentenced to imprisonment for a period of 6 months, to be released forthwith on a recognizance upon giving a security in the sum of $1,000 and on condition to remain of good behaviour for a period of two years in relation to the attempted export of regulated Australian native specimens. |
| 18/05/2021 | A 35-year-old Chinese national male was sentenced to three years and two months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years and three months in relation to two counts of attempting to export regulated Australian native specimens (Cth), for dealing in protected animals (NSW) and one count of money laundering. |
| 16/04/2021 | A 30-year-old Australian male was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, to be served by way of an Intensive Corrections Order and 100 hours of Community Service after being found guilty to possessing more than 140 native and CITES live specimens. |
| 09/04/2021 |
On 30 March 2021 the Delegate to the Minister signed a Remediation Determination requiring a land owner to repair the damage caused by earthworks and drainage by reversing the alterations to the landform. The earthworks and drainage impacted on 9 hectares of the Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate Lower Plains near Streatham Victoria, in contravention of Part 3 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The remediation determination provides a balanced compliance response and a positive environmental outcome for the protection of the wetlands which are listed as a threatened ecological community and protected under the Act. Remediation determination - Streatham (PDF - 2.81 MB) |
| 08/03/2021 | A 30-year-old male Chinese national male was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years and four months, in relation to 9 counts of attempting to export regulated Australian native specimens. |
| 17/02/2021 | A 30-year-old Chinese national female was sentenced to two years and ten months imprisonment to be served by way of an intensive corrections order in relation to eight counts of attempting to export regulated Australian native specimens, three counts of possession of CITES specimens (105 specimens) and two counts of possession or regulated Australian native specimens. |
| 17/02/2021 | A 34-year-old Chinese national male was sentenced to five years imprisonment with a two-year ten month non parole period in relation to 13 counts of attempting to export regulated Australian native specimens, three counts of possession of CITES specimens (105 specimens) and two counts of possession of regulated Australian native specimens. |
| 12/02/2021 | A 31-year-old Australian male was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment to be served by way of an intensive corrections order in relation to one count of importing CITES listed specimens (bird eggs) into Australia from South Africa. |
| 11/12/2020 | A 26-year-old Australian man was sentenced to three years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 18 months, in relation to two counts of attempting to export regulated Australian native specimens and one count of money laundering. |
| 09/06/2020 |
On 9 June 2020 the Delegate to the Minister signed a Remediation Determination requiring a land owner to take actions on their King Island property in Tasmania to mitigate the impacts which resulted from earthworks associated with land clearing. The earthworks impacted on the adjacent Lavinia Ramsar site on King Island Tasmania, in contravention of Part 3 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The remediation determination provides a balanced compliance response and a positive environmental outcome for the protection of threatened species within the Ramsar site. Remediation determination - King Island (PDF - 304.29 KB) |
| 26/05/2020 | Two infringement notices were issued to a Victorian-based company in relation to contraventions under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995. One infringement notice to the value of $12,600 was issued for importing a bulk hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) without a controlled substances licence, in contravention of section 13(1) of the Act. One infringement notice to the value of $420 was issued for using non-refillable cylinders for the storage of HCFC, in contravention of the company’s refrigerant trading authorisation, which is an offence under Regulation 142(1). Both infringement notices were subsequently paid. |
| 18/05/2020 | On 18 May 2020, Jam Land Pty Limited applied to the Minister for a reconsideration of the Remediation Determination issued to Jam Land Pty Limited on 28 April 2020. |
| 08/05/2020 | A 35-year-old Malaysian national female was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of four months in relation to the attempted export of regulated Australian native specimens. |
| 28/04/2020 |
On 28 April 2020 the Delegate to the Minister signed a Remediation Determination requiring Jam Land Pty Limited to take actions on their Monaro property in NSW to mitigate the impacts which resulted from the application of herbicide to a critically endangered ecological community in late 2016. The remediation determination provides a balanced compliance response and a positive environmental outcome for the protection of threatened grasslands. Remediation determination - Jam land (PDF - 288.66 KB) |
| 23/12/2019 | G P Cameron and L J Cameron were issued a Directed variation for contravening Conditions 1 and 2, and replace attachment map of EPBC 2016/7838 |
| 29/11/2019 | The Federal Court made a declaration that a Victorian landholder had contravened section 18(3) of the EPBC Act for works taken on his properties that impacted habitat for the South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo. The landholder was also ordered the landholder to implement a Remediation Plan across the property to mitigate the impacts. |
| 18/11/2019 | Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 the former Department of the Environment and Energy entered into an Enforceable Undertaking with BP Australia Pty Ltd for the supply of non-compliant unleaded petrol from it Kwinana refinery in West Australia in 2017. The Enforceable Undertaking placed an obligation on BP Australia Pty Ltd to implement significant fuel quality testing processes throughout it’s supply chain at an estimated cost of approximately $800,000. |
| 14/11/2019 | A man was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, with a non parole period of 9 months for attempting to smuggle through the post native wildlife out of Australia. |
| 18/10/2019 | A man was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment, to be served in the community by way of an Intensive Correction Order, to be of good behaviour and undertake 700 hours of community service. He was found guilty of importing and exporting live regulated specimens. The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions appealed the sentence on the grounds that the sentence imposed was manifestly inadequate. On 18 October 2019 the Court of Criminal Appeal imposed a new aggregate sentence of full-time imprisonment for 4 years with a non-parole period of 2 years and 6 months |
| 10/10/2019 | SIMTA Transport was Directed to undertake a Directed audit and were found to have breached conditions 9 and 14 of EPBC/6229 |
| 10/10/2019 | Big Island Mining Pty Ltd was issued a Directed Variation for contravening Condition 1(c ) of EPBC 2015/7539 |
| 30/09/2019 | The former Department of the Environment and Energy accepted an enforceable undertaking from a fuel supplier for supplying diesel across multiple sites in the greater western Sydney area that did not comply with the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000. The Enforceable Undertaking aimed to improve compliance with the fuel supplier’s obligations under the Act by having the fuel supplier conduct sampling activities across its national supply chain over a 12 month period, reporting the results to the Department. In addition, the Enforceable Undertaking placed an obligation for the fuel supplier to conduct audits and provide education to contracted fuel carriers to minimise any potential contamination which may affect fuel quality. |
| 06/09/2019 | Two infringement notices, each to the value of $420, were issued under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 to a Victorian based automotive mechanic for possessing bulk synthetic greenhouse gas without holding a relevant permit. The gas was stored in disposable cylinders in contravention of a condition on the mechanic’s refrigerant handling licence. These are offences under regulation 112(2) and 136(1) of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995. The infringement notices were subsequently paid. |
| 01/05/2019 | The Minister was granted an injunction in the Perth Registry of the Federal Court restrain the developers of a residential subdivision "Paramount Estate" in Baldivis WA from undertaking any further work within the referral footprint until such time as environmental assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 199 has been completed. |
| 19/12/2018 | An infringement notice to the value of $12,600 was issued under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 to NSW-based company for importing a diesel bus containing a synthetic greenhouse gas without an appropriate licence, in contravention of section 13(1) of the Act. The infringement notice was subsequently paid. |
| 17/12/2018 | The Minister used powers available to call-in the referral of a proposed residential development "Paramount Estate at Baldivis WA. |
| 04/12/2018 | An infringement notice to the value of $12,600 was issued under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 to a Victorian-based company for importing a pool heat pump containing a synthetic greenhouse gas without an appropriate licence, in contravention of section 13(1) of the Act. The infringement notice was subsequently paid. |
| 07/11/2018 | An infringement notice to the value of $2,520 was issued under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 to a NSW-based refrigeration mechanic for discharging a synthetic greenhouse gas during the installation of an air-conditioning system, in contravention of section 45B(1) of the Act. The infringement notice was subsequently paid. |
| 31/08/2018 |
A 55-year-old man who smuggled native lizards in thermal coffee cups through the post has received a total of 23 months of imprisonment, suspended immediately on a condition imposed by the court for him to remain of good behaviour for the period of the sentence. He was found guilty of exporting and importing regulated live animals listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). |
| 22/06/2018 | A man was sentenced to 50 hours community service after being convicted of possessing and importing illegal animal specimens. |
| 08/02/2018 |
In the Cairns District Court, a former Managing Director and consultant of the Australian Rainforest Foundation, pleaded guilty in relation to counts of General Dishonesty - Cause a Risk of a Loss to the Commonwealth. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment on each charge - to be served concurrently. However, the Judge imposed an immediate release order on the condition that the defendant be of good behaviour for a period of 12 months. A $2000 surety was also entered into. |
| 08/02/2018 |
A former University of Canberra student was fined $5,500 and placed on a two year good behaviour bond after he pled guilty to 14 charges relating to possessing and importing illegal animal remains. The student now based in Queensland, was charged with possessing or importing specimens including: Asian wild cat skulls, bear skulls, a gibbon skull, owl skulls, monkey skulls, a water monitor skull, hornbill skulls, a flying fox skull, a taxidermized common buzzard, a hippopotamus tooth, a bear tooth and a claw of a medium-large cat. |
| 19/01/2018 |
A New South Wales-based importer has been fined $12 600 by the former Department of Environment and Energy for importing vehicles with air conditioning units containing a common refrigerant gas without an appropriate licence. |
| 10/01/2018 |
A 49 year old security contractor was fined $4,000 after pleading guilty to nine charges of possessing, and one charge of importing, illegal animal specimens listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). |
| 03/11/2017 |
Coal and Allied entered into an enforceable undertaking to the value of $2.1 in reparation for impacts on the ecological community Central Hunter Valley Eucalypt Forest and Woodland at their Hunter Valley coal mine. Enforceable undertaking - Coal & Allied Operations (PDF - 214.42 KB) |
| 11/10/2017 | NSW woman was given a two year good behaviour bond for breaking Australian environmental law, after being caught with wildlife specimens of several internationally-threatened species. |
| 14/09/2017 | Yara Pilbara Nitrates issued with Directed Variation to approval conditions 3 to 14 of EPBC 2008/4546. |
| 10/08/2017 | A commercial fisherman was convicted and fined $5,000 for taking an illegal action for a commercial purpose in a Commonwealth marine reserve, namely the Tasman Fracture. |
| 29/07/2017 | A man was convicted and fined $19,000 after pleading guilty to illegally importing species, possession offences and illegally importing regulated specimens. |
| 15/06/2017 | An infringement notice to the value of $12,600 was issued under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 to an importer for importing goods containing a synthetic greenhouse gas without an appropriate licence, in contravention of section 13(1) of the Act. The infringement notice was subsequently paid. |
| 9/05/2017 | NSW woman was given a fine of $1400 after pleading guilty to five counts of possession of illegally imported wildlife specimens. |
| 20/02/2017 | Mr Andrew Camilleri was convicted and entered into a good behaviour bond in the New South Wales Magistrates Court for an offence against section 303GN(2) of the EPBC Act. Mr Camilleri entered a guilty plea to possession following the discovery of a Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula at a residence in Western Sydney in September 2015. |
Contact us
If you have any questions about compliance and enforcement contact us at environment.compliance@nationalepa.gov.au.