Your voice matters. Have your say on how we administer Australia’s national environmental protection laws as we strive for continuous improvement. Complete this survey to help shape our priorities and inform how we provide our services and conduct our activities.
The survey will be open until 11:59pm AEST Thursday, 30 September 2026. If you have any questions, please contact: surveyhelp@nationalepa.gov.au
Permit scheme fees will increase by approximately 3.4% for 2026. This change follows the Wage Price Index increase.
Fees collected support into supporting the Ozone Program and it’s permit holders, through:
View current fees on the Fire Protection Industry Board website.
National regulations apply to those who work in the Fire Protection industry and work with:
The following permits apply:
The Fire Protection permit scheme aims to ensure responsible management of:
This is to minimise their impact on the atmosphere and the climate.
National regulations support the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 (the Act). This came into effect on 1 July 2005. These regulations are the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995.
We regulate the use of these gases to ensure:
The regulations also affect those who buy, store or dispose of extinguishing agents.
These regulations do not restrict the use or availability of these gases other than halon. There are no plans to restrict, prohibit or withdraw any of the currently available fire extinguishing agents.
The Fire Protection Association Australia is the Fire Protection Industry Board (the board). The board co-regulates the administration of the industry permit scheme. The board implements the following:
More information is available on the Fire Protection Industry Board website.
We have established the Fire Protection Permit Scheme Industry Advisory Group. This is to foster collaboration in the development and administration of the permit scheme. The group will provide information and advice on industry issues. Membership includes representatives from:
If you have any industry issues for the group to review, please contact fire.protection@nationalepa.gov.au.
The value of a penalty unit is prescribed by the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth). The vlaue of penalty unit is $330. Penalty units apply where a person or corporation has committed a Commonwealth offence. This includes offences listed under the Act and Regulations.
An appropriate licence is required to import, exports or manufacture scheduled ozone depleting substances (ODS) or synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG). This includes extinguishing agents (either in bulk or pre-charged into equipment). To do so without the appropriate licence (or exemption) is an offence under section 13 of the Act and subject to a fine of up to $198,000.
An extinguishing agent handling licence (EAHL) is required to handle an extinguishing agent that is, or has been, for use in fire protection equipment. Under Regulation 302, it is an offence to do so without a licence or special circumstances exemption. A penalty of up to $3,300 may apply.
Under Regulation 303, it is an offence to acquire, possess or dispose of bulk extinguishing agent without an Extinguishing Agent Trading Authorisation (EATA). (Note Regulation 303 describes some circumstances where an EATA may not be required.) A penalty of up to $3,300 may apply.
A halon permit is required to possess halon that is, or has been, for use in fire protection equipment. Under Regulation 304 it is an offence to do so without a licence. (Note Regulation 304 describes some circumstances where a halon special permit may not be required.) A penalty of up to $3,130 may apply.
It is an offence under section 45B(1) of the Act to act in a way that results in the unlawful discharge of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG). This includes scheduled extinguishing agents. A penalty of up to $132,200 may apply.
Under Regulation 314, an individual or corporation who is convicted of an offence under the Act or Regulations, or who has had a permit or licence cancelled, may be considered unfit to hold a fire protection industry permit or licence. As a result, their permit or licence may be refused on reapplication or, in accordance with Regulation 315, their permit or licence may be cancelled.
The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas program is cost-recovered. Application fees cover the costs incurred to administer the permit scheme. The fees are adjusted each year, consistent with the wage price index, to ensure they remain in line with general cost increases across the program and broader economy.