Licensing, legislation and regulation

Coast to the Highlands via Kangaroo Valley drive, Morton National Park

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has responsibilities and powers under a range of NSW environmental legislation.

We are the primary environmental regulator for New South Wales. As environmental stewards we are committed to a sustainable future for NSW, focussing our regulatory activities on improving outcomes that lead to a healthy, sustainable environment and a thriving society. Find out more about how we regulate and some of the tools we use below.

Licences are required for certain activities under the POEO Act, for Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals, transport of Dangerous Goods, use of Pesticides and use of Radiation apparatus.

The EPA is required by law to maintain several public registers. You can access these registers online and search for information about specific companies and specific circumstances or events, such as environmental protection measures and regulatory actions.

This area contains policies and guidelines that set out specific details about how the EPA operates.

Use eConnect EPA to apply online for Environment Protection, Radiation, Dangerous Goods and Pesticides licences, to manage your licence and submit annual returns.

The role of authorised officers is to ensure that businesses, government and individuals comply with environment protection legislation in NSW.