Record keeping

Your obligations

You must keep records relating to your exports under:

If you don’t keep these records, you may face penalties of up to $82,500 (as at 1 January 2023). We may publish your non-compliance on our website.

We will also audit your export operations. When we do, your good record keeping will help you show us that you are complying with requirements of your export licence and regulations. Find out more about audits and compliance.

All records must be:

Records can be kept electronically.

The records you need to keep

The export declaration for the consignment

We may ask you to prove that what you have declared is true and accurate. Keeping good records will help you do this.

Evidence that supports the information in the export declaration

For each consignment, keep records that prove all of the following:

  • the waste type in the consignment
  • the quantity/weight of the waste
  • the value of the waste
  • for glass, plastics and tyre licences, the waste has been sorted and/or processed to the specification
  • your commercial relationship with the importer/buyer, for example, contracts, purchase orders or receipts
  • the destination country of the consignment; this country must be listed on your licence
  • how the waste will be used in the destination country
  • for paper and cardboard licences, the contamination level of the paper and cardboard (which must not exceed a 5% contamination limit of the total weight of the consignment on and from 1 July 2026).

Photos of the consignment

For every consignment, take and keep photos of the following:

  • the regulated waste material packed in its individual bales, bags or other packaging as each layer of the shipping container is packed
  • the consignment when it is fully packed for export, including the container identification number.

The photos must have sufficient resolution, brightness and contrast to show the waste material and consignment clearly. They must also be time and date stamped.

You must ensure you have these records for every consignment, even if someone else packs the container for you.

Evidence of changes to your licence of operations

You must:

  • let us know about changes to any information you provided in your licence application
  • keep all documents you send us about the changes.

Other records

You must keep all other relevant documents.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

© National Environmental Protection Agency