The information provided in an annual return is used to determine the licensee’s environmental management category and to calculate the annual licence administrative fee and any applicable load-based fee. An invoice is sent, after the annual return has been checked by EPA.
Licensees can calculate the assessable load data they need to complete their annual return using the Load Calculation Protocol, and the licence load-based fee (see a sample calculation). If using eConnect EPA the licence load-based fee is automatically calculated based on the data provided.
Licensees receive a notification advising that their annual return is available for online completion and submission via eConnect EPA. 80 percent of licensees currently submit their annual return using eConnect EPA.
Licensees not registered to use eConnect EPA can request access by providing the nominated users name, email address, company (if applicable) and licence number to econnect.epa@epa.nsw.gov.au.
Licensees who are unable to submit their Annual Return through eConnect EPA or have questions about eConnect EPA or online annual return submission can contact the EPA’s Regulatory and Compliance Support Unit on 9995 5700.
Compliance responsibilities
- Personal Certification
The annual return must be signed by the licence holder or a person authorised to sign on the licence holder's behalf where the licence holder is a company. The return will usually be signed by two company directors. The authorised signatories must personally certify that each year's load calculations have been completed and recorded in accordance with the Load Calculation Protocol, and face severe individual penalties for false declarations. - Compliance Audit Program
The EPA's compliance audit program includes scrutiny of load calculations and returns, through various manual and computerised checks on received returns, random audits of licensees' records, and full audits of licensees' compliance with all provisions of the Load Calculation Protocol.