Investment approvals

Will your project involve foreign investors?

A foreign investor is:

  • an individual not ordinarily resident in Australia
  • a corporation or trust where an individual not ordinarily resident in Australia, a foreign corporation or foreign government holds a substantial interest
  • a foreign government.
Will your project involve foreign investors?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975

Specified types of foreign investments within defined thresholds require approval from the Treasurer under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: The Treasury

Will the capital expenditure for your project total AUD $500 million or more?

Capital expenditure refers to expenditure to acquire, construct or upgrade fixed assets such as land, buildings and equipment.

Will the capital expenditure for your project total AUD $500 million or more?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Australian Jobs Act 2013

Eligible major projects with capital expenditure of AUD $500 million or more require an approved Australian Industry Participation Plan under the Australian Jobs Act 2013.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Australian Industry Participation Authority

Will your project employ overseas workers or result in the arrival of foreign maritime crew in Australia by sea?

Overseas workers are employees without Australian citizenship.

Will your project employ overseas workers or result in the arrival of foreign maritime crew in Australia by sea?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Migration Act 1958

All overseas workers and maritime crew arriving in Australia by sea require an appropriate visa to enter and work in Australia under the Migration Act 1958.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Home Affairs

Will your project involve Australia’s critical infrastructure assets?

Critical infrastructure includes physical facilities, supply chains, information technologies and communication networks considered significant to Australia’s social or economic wellbeing or national defence and security.

The following critical infrastructure sectors include critical infrastructure assets:

  • communications
  • data storage or processing
  • financial services and markets
  • water and sewerage
  • energy
  • health care and medical
  • higher education and research
  • food and grocery
  • transport
  • space technology
  • defence industry.
Will your project involve Australia’s critical infrastructure assets?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018

Owners, operators and direct interest holders of Australia’s critical infrastructure assets must fulfil obligations designed to manage risks relating to critical infrastructure under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre

Location

Where will your project take place?

  • Land projects include activities occurring on, above and below Australian grounds.
  • Sea projects include activities occurring on, above and below an open body of water.
  • Space projects include activities involving an area beyond the distance of 100 km above mean sea level.
Where will your project take place?

This field is required.

Cultural approvals

Will your project impact on areas subject to native title?

You can check if your area is subject to a registered native title claim or a native title determination on the National Native Title Tribunal’s Native Title Vision tool.

Will your project impact on areas subject to native title?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Native Title Act 1993

Activity on areas subject to native title requires approval through negotiations with the relevant native title parties under the Native Title Act 1993.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: National Native Title Tribunal

Will your project affect areas or objects significant to First Nations heritage?

An area or object may be significant to First Nations heritage if it is of particular significance to First Nations peoples in accordance with First Nations tradition. This includes any body of traditions, observances, customs or beliefs relating to particular persons, areas, objects or relationships.

Will your project affect areas or objects significant to First Nations heritage?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984

First Nations Australians can apply for a declaration to be made under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 to protect significant areas and objects. Declarations are rarely made but can occur during the course of a project and override project approvals.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Will your project impact on Australia’s protected underwater cultural heritage or require entry into an underwater cultural heritage protected zone?

Underwater cultural heritage is any trace of human existence that has a cultural, historical or archaeological character and is located under water.

You can check the location of protected underwater cultural heritage on the Australasian Underwater Cultural Heritage Database.

Where are underwater cultural heritage protected zones?

To find the location of underwater cultural heritage protected zones, check the map on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.

Will your project impact on Australia’s protected underwater cultural heritage or require entry into an underwater cultural heritage protected zone?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018

Activities that have potential to impact Australia’s protected underwater cultural heritage or require entry into an underwater cultural heritage protected zone require a permit under the Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Road and aviation approvals

Will your project involve heavy vehicles on roads?

Heavy vehicles are vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass.

Will your project involve heavy vehicles on roads?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Heavy Vehicle National Law

Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, specified classes and types of heavy vehicles require an access permit or notice to operate on roads across Australia, except in the Northern Territory and Western Australia (different legislation applies in these jurisdictions, overseen by the relevant regulatory authority in those jurisdictions).

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Will your project be located around leased federal airports?

Will your project be located around leased federal airports?

This field is required.

Will your project intrude into the protected airspace within a 20km radius of an airport?

Activities and obstructions that may cause an intrusion include:

  • permanent structures including buildings
  • temporary structures including cranes
  • activities producing glare from artificial light or reflected sunlight
  • activities causing air turbulence, including from stack or vent emissions
  • activities producing smoke, dust, steam, or other gases or particles.
Will your project intrude into the protected airspace within a 20km radius of an airport?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Airports Act 1996 (protected airspace requirements)

Activities within approximately 20km of an airport that intrude into the airport’s protected airspace require approval under the Airports Act 1996.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Will your project involve building or construction activities within an airport?

Building and construction activities include demolition, alteration or construction of the following:

  • buildings
  • bridges, fences, towers and pylons
  • tents and other temporary structures
  • pipelines and dams
  • retaining walls
  • surface carparks
  • roads and railways
  • runways, taxiways and aprons
  • tunnels.
Will your project involve building or construction activities within an airport?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Airports Act 1996 (building requirements)

Building and construction activities on the site of a leased federal airport generally require approval through a building or works permit, demolition authorisation or exemption under the Airports Act 1996.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Will your project involve activity within a declared Defence Aviation Area?

You can check the location of declared Defence Aviation Areas on the Department of Defence website.

Will your project involve activity within a declared Defence Aviation Area?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Defence Act 1903

Specified activities within declared Defence Aviation Areas require approval under the Defence Act 1903.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Defence

Maritime approvals

Will your project involve operating a vessel at sea?

A vessel is a craft used, or capable of being used, in navigation by water, however propelled or moved.

Will your project involve operating a vessel at sea?

This field is required.

Will your project involve operating a regulated Australian vessel or a foreign vessel to or from Australian ports or in the territorial sea of Australia?

A regulated Australian vessel is an Australian vessel that:

  • is registered, required to be registered, or entitled to be registered under the Shipping Registration Act 1981 (generally all Australian owned or operated ships, 24 metres and over in tonnage length and capable of navigating the high seas, or any ship regardless of size sailing to a foreign port); and
  • is not a recreational vessel; and
  • any of the following apply:
    • the vessel is proceeding on an overseas voyage (outside Australia’s exclusive economic zone) or is for use on an overseas voyage
    • a certificate issued under the Navigation Act 2012 is in force for the vessel.

A foreign vessel is a vessel that does not have Australian nationality and is not a recreational vessel.

Will your project involve operating a regulated Australian vessel or a foreign vessel to or from Australian ports or in the territorial sea of Australia?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Navigation Act 2012

Regulated Australian vessels and foreign vessels must be registered on either the Australian General or Australian International Shipping Register and issued with an International Maritime Organization ship identification number and the relevant statutory certificates that apply to the vessel and its intended operations under the Navigation Act 2012.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Will your project involve operating a domestic commercial vessel in the waters between Australia’s coastline and the boundary of Australia’s exclusive economic zone?

A domestic commercial vessel is a vessel used for, or in connection with, a commercial, government or research activity operating only up to the boundary of Australia’s exclusive economic zone, with some exceptions.

Please review the criteria on the Australian Maritime Safety Authority website.

Will your project involve operating a domestic commercial vessel in the waters between Australia’s coastline and the boundary of Australia’s exclusive economic zone?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012

Domestic commercial vessels in the waters between Australia’s coastline and the boundary of Australia’s exclusive economic zone must have a unique vessel identifier and meet certification requirements to demonstrate vessel and seafarer safety under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Applicable legislation: Navigation Act 2012

Vessels entering or leaving an Australian port or in the territorial sea of Australia are subject to obligations under the Navigation Act 2012 in relation to tonnage, collision prevention and pollution prevention and require the relevant statutory certificates that apply to the vessel and its intended operations.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Will your project involve transporting cargo or passengers on a vessel between ports in Australia?

Cargo includes any property loaded onto the vessel and intended to be offloaded for which a bill of lading, or a receipt of a similar kind, is issued.

Passengers include any persons carried onboard the vessel with consent from the owner if consideration (whether monetary or otherwise) is required to be paid or has been paid.

Will your project involve transporting cargo or passengers on a vessel between ports in Australia?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012

Domestic movements of cargo or passengers between Australian ports must be authorised by an appropriate licence under the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Will your vessel discharge oil or other marine environment pollutants as part of normal operation or is there potential for this to occur accidentally?

Marine pollutants include oil, noxious liquid substances, packaged harmful substances, sewage, garbage and air pollution.

Will your vessel discharge oil or other marine environment pollutants as part of normal operation or is there potential for this to occur accidentally?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983

Ships must meet applicable discharge standards and planning, record-keeping and reporting obligations for marine pollution prevention depending on the ship size, age and type under the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Will your project involve operating a regulated Australian ship, security regulated port or security regulated offshore facility?

A regulated Australian ship is an Australian ship that is:

  • a passenger ship that is used for overseas voyages; or
  • a cargo ship of 500 gross tonnage or more that is used for overseas voyages; or
  • a mobile offshore drilling unit that is on an overseas voyage (other than a unit that is attached to the seabed).

A security regulated port is an area of land or water used in connection with the movement, loading, unloading, maintenance or provisioning of regulated Australian ships that has been declared as a security regulated port.

A security regulated offshore facility is any structure or vessel located in an offshore area used in operations or activities associated with, or incidental to, the extraction of petroleum from the seabed or its subsoil that has been declared as a security regulated offshore facility.

Please review the criteria for regulated ships, ports and offshore facilities on the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre website.

Will your project involve operating a regulated Australian ship, security regulated port or security regulated offshore facility?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003

Operators of regulated Australian ships, security regulated ports and security regulated offshore facilities require an approved security plan under the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Home Affairs

Will your project involve fishing activities or impact a fishery in the Australian Fishing Zone?

Fishing activities include:

  • commercial fishing
  • receipt of fish (processors, wholesalers and retailers)
  • scientific research.

Where are fisheries in the Australian Fishing Zone?

You can check the location of fisheries in the Australian Fishing Zone on the Australian Fisheries Management Authority website.

Will your project involve fishing activities or impact a fishery in the Australian Fishing Zone?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Fisheries Management Act 1991

Fishing activities in the Australian Fishing Zone or by Australian-flagged boats on the high seas require approval through an appropriate permit and must demonstrate ecologically sustainable management practices under the Fisheries Management Act 1991.

Additionally, projects taking place where fishing occurs must consult with fishing operators about the impact project activities may have on day-to-day fishing activities.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Australian Fisheries Management Authority

Will your project involve activity in a submarine cable protection zone?

You can check the location maps of submarine cable protection zones on the Australian Communications and Media Authority website – there are two protection zones off the coast of Sydney and one off the coast of Perth.

Will your project involve activity in a submarine cable protection zone?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Telecommunications Act 1997 (Schedule 3A requirements)

Permission is required to conduct restricted activities in a submarine cable protection zone, and a permit is required to install a submarine cable in a protection zone or an international submarine cable in the waters of Australia’s territorial sea or exclusive economic zone under Schedule 3A to the Telecommunications Act 1997.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Australian Communications and Media Authority

Offshore approvals

Will your project involve exploring, developing, producing or transmitting resources in an offshore area within the jurisdiction of the Australian Government?

An offshore area within the jurisdiction of the Australian Government is, generally, an area that:

  • is in the sea; and
  • starts 3 nautical miles from the Australian coastline; and
  • includes Australia’s exclusive economic zone; and
  • could extend as far as the boundary of the continental shelf of Australia.
Will your project involve exploring, developing, producing or transmitting resources in an offshore area within the jurisdiction of the Australian Government?

This field is required.

Will your project involve offshore renewable energy infrastructure or offshore electricity transmission infrastructure?

Offshore renewable energy infrastructure is fixed or tethered infrastructure used to explore, assess the feasibility of, exploit or store, transmit or convey a renewable energy resource.

Renewable energy resources include the following:

  • wind and air flow
  • wind‑generated waves
  • tides
  • ocean currents
  • light or heat from the sun
  • rain
  • geothermal heat.

Offshore electricity transmission infrastructure is fixed or tethered infrastructure, such as an undersea cable and other infrastructure associated with the cable, for storing, transmitting or conveying electricity. This includes electricity not generated from renewable sources.

Will your project involve offshore renewable energy infrastructure or offshore electricity transmission infrastructure?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021

Licences are required to construct, operate or decommission offshore renewable energy infrastructure or electricity transmission infrastructure under the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021. Licence holders must also have an approved management plan prior to commencing any activities.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Will your project involve offshore petroleum or greenhouse gas storage activities?

Offshore petroleum activities involve the exploration and recovery of oil and gas. Greenhouse gas storage activities involve the injection, storage, and exploration of greenhouse gas substances.

Will your project involve offshore petroleum or greenhouse gas storage activities?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006

Offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities require an appropriate petroleum or greenhouse gas title and an approved offshore project proposal and environment plan under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.

For more information see the fact sheet on petroleum activities and the fact sheet on greenhouse gas storage activities.

Relevant authority: National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority

Will your project involve offshore mining activities?

Offshore mining activities involve the exploration and/or recovery of naturally occurring minerals other than petroleum in an offshore area. Minerals include substances or mixtures of substances that may be in the following forms:

  • sand
  • gravel
  • clay
  • limestone
  • rock
  • evaporites
  • shale
  • oil-shale
  • coal.
Will your project involve offshore mining activities?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Offshore Minerals Act 1994

Offshore mineral exploration and mining activities require authorisation through an appropriate licence or consent under the Offshore Minerals Act 1994.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Space approvals

Will your project involve undertaking activities in the Australian Space Industry?

Space activities that require approvals include:

  • launching a space object from Australia
  • launching a space object as an Australian national outside of Australia
  • returning a space object, launched from within Australia or elsewhere, to a place anywhere in Australia
  • returning a space object overseas for an Australian national with an ownership interest
  • operating a launch facility in Australia
  • conducting a high power rocket activity.
Will your project involve undertaking activities in the Australian Space Industry?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018

Space activities conducted in Australia or by Australian nationals overseas require an appropriate licence, permit or authorisation under the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Australian Space Agency

Environmental approvals

Will your project have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance?

The matters of national environmental significance protected under national environment law include:

  • world heritage properties
  • national heritage places
  • wetlands of international importance (declared Ramsar wetlands)
  • listed threatened species and communities
  • listed migratory species
  • nuclear actions
  • Commonwealth marine areas
  • the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
  • a water resource, in relation to unconventional gas development and large coal mining development.

Significant impact depends on the sensitivity, intensity, value, quality, duration, magnitude and geographic extent of actions.

Will your project have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Activities that may have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance require assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

For more information see the fact sheet

Relevant authority: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Will your project involve the deliberate disposal or abandonment of wastes or other matter at sea?

Wastes or other matter includes:

  • dredged material
  • sewage sludge
  • fish waste, or material resulting from industrial fish processing operations
  • inert, inorganic geological material
  • organic material of natural origin
  • vessels and platforms or other man-made structures at sea
  • bulky items from small islands primarily comprising iron, steel, concrete
  • carbon dioxide via carbon capture and sequestration.
Will your project involve the deliberate disposal or abandonment of wastes or other matter at sea?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981

The loading and deliberate disposal of wastes or other matter in Australia’s territorial sea or exclusive economic zone, or by Australian vessels or aircraft in any part of the sea, requires a sea dumping permit under the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Will your project involve activities with radioactive materials or radiation emitting apparatus?

Activities with radioactive materials or radiation emitting apparatus include:

  • possessing or having control of material that emits ionizing radiation, or apparatus that produces ionizing radiation or harmful non-ionizing radiation
  • using the material, or using or operating the apparatus
  • disposing of the material or apparatus
  • constructing or operating a nuclear installation or prescribed radiation facility
  • possessing or controlling the facility
  • de-commissioning, disposing of or abandoning the facility
  • remediating a prescribed legacy site.
Will your project involve activities with radioactive materials or radiation emitting apparatus?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998

An appropriate licence is required to use and handle radioactive material, and to operate, construct, decommission or remediate a radiation facility or nuclear installation under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

Will your project emit large amounts of greenhouse gases or consume or produce large amounts of energy?

Large amounts of greenhouse gases and energy in a financial year include:

For a facility:

  • emissions of 25 kilotonnes or more of carbon dioxide; or
  • consumption or production of 100 terajoules or more of energy.

For a corporate group:

  • emissions of 50 kilotonnes or more of carbon dioxide; or
  • consumption or production of 200 terajoules or more of energy.

Facilities that emit 100,000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide are considered designated large facilities.

Will your project emit large amounts of greenhouse gases or consume or produce large amounts of energy?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007

Organisations that emit large amounts of greenhouse gases or consume or produce large amounts of energy need to fulfil registration and reporting obligations under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007. Designated large facilities also need to meet emissions limits in accordance with the Safeguard Mechanism administered under the Act.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Clean Energy Regulator

Therapeutic goods approvals

Will your project involve manufacturing or supplying therapeutic goods in Australia?

Therapeutic goods are broadly defined as products for use in humans in connection with:

  • preventing, diagnosing, curing or alleviating a disease, ailment, defect or injury
  • influencing, inhibiting or modifying a physiological process
  • testing susceptibility to a disease or ailment
  • influencing, controlling or preventing conception
  • testing for pregnancy.

Therapeutic goods include things that are:

  • used as an ingredient or component in the manufacture of therapeutic goods
  • replacing or modifying parts of the anatomy.
Will your project involve manufacturing or supplying therapeutic goods in Australia?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Therapeutic Goods Act 1989

Market authorisation and an appropriate licence, certification, and/or clearance is required to import into, export from or supply or manufacture therapeutic goods in Australia under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

Will your project involve the cultivation, production or manufacture of cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes or the manufacture of narcotic drugs other than cannabis?

Cultivation includes sowing a seed of cannabis plant, planting, growing, tending, nurturing, harvesting, grafting, dividing, or transplanting a cannabis plant.

Production is the separation of cannabis and cannabis resin from the plants from which they are obtained.

What are narcotic drugs other than cannabis?

You can check the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol[PDF] for a list of substances classified as narcotic drugs.

Will your project involve the cultivation, production or manufacture of cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes or the manufacture of narcotic drugs other than cannabis?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Narcotic Drugs Act 1967

A medicinal cannabis licence and relevant permit is required to authorise the cultivation, production or manufacture of cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967.

A narcotic drug manufacture licence and permit is required to manufacture narcotic drugs other than cannabis under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Office of Drug Control

Import and export approvals

Will your project involve importing or exporting goods?

Goods are movable personal property of any kind and include documents, vessels and aircraft.

Imported goods are goods brought into Australia.

Exported goods are goods sent out from Australia.

Will your project involve importing or exporting goods?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Customs Act 1901

A permit, licence, or written permission is required before specified goods can be imported into or exported from Australia under the Customs Act 1901. Imported goods must also be correctly labelled.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Australian Border Force

Will your imported goods or conveyances pose a biosecurity risk?

Imported goods that pose a biosecurity risk include:

  • animals
  • plants
  • equipment and machinery
  • samples and specimens of a disease agent
  • pests
  • mail
  • any other article, substance or thing.

Conveyances that pose a biosecurity risk include:

  • aircraft
  • vessels
  • vehicles
  • trains.

You can check your biosecurity requirements on the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).

Will your imported goods or conveyances pose a biosecurity risk?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Biosecurity Act 2015

Imported goods and conveyances arriving in Australia must comply with controls designed to mitigate biosecurity risks under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Specified goods require a permit prior to import, and all imports must be packaged and treated to meet biosecurity requirements.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Will you be importing food into Australia?

Food includes:

  • any substance or thing used, capable of being used, or represented as being for use, for human consumption whether it is live, raw, prepared or partly prepared (this may include live animals and plants)
  • an ingredient or additive in or used in preparing a substance or thing for human consumption
  • chewing gum, an ingredient or additive in chewing gum, or any substance used in preparing chewing gum.
Will you be importing food into Australia?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Imported Food Control Act 1992

Imported food products must meet food and labelling standards and comply with applicable requirements for food declaration, inspection, analysis and certification under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme in accordance with the Imported Food Control Act 1992.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Will you be exporting prescribed goods?

Prescribed goods include:

  • milk and milk products
  • egg and egg products
  • meat and meat products
  • fish and fish products
  • plants and plant products
  • live animals
  • organic products
  • wood and woodchips.
Will you be exporting prescribed goods?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Export Control Act 2020

Prior to export from Australia, prescribed goods require an export permit and must obtain the relevant certificates, accreditation and licences that apply to the goods under the Export Control Act 2020.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Will you be importing or exporting cultural objects?

Cultural objects include objects in the following categories:

  • objects of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage
  • archaeological objects
  • natural science objects
  • objects of applied science or technology
  • objects of fine or decorative art
  • objects of documentary heritage
  • numismatic objects
  • philatelic objects
  • objects of historical significance.

You can check the National Cultural Heritage Control List within the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Regulations 2018 for a list of protected objects within each of these categories.

Will you be importing or exporting cultural objects?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986

The export of specified protected national cultural objects from Australia requires an appropriate permit or certificate under the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Office for the Arts

Will you be exporting regulated waste material?

Regulated waste material includes the following types of waste where material is discarded, rejected, left-over, surplus to, or a by-product of an industrial, commercial or domestic or other activity:

  • glass
  • plastic
  • tyres
  • paper and cardboard.
Will you be exporting regulated waste material?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020

A licence or exemption is required to export specified types of glass, plastic, tyres or paper and cardboard under the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Will you be importing exporting transiting or selling hazardous waste

Waste is hazardous if it meets any of the following characteristics:

  • explosive
  • flammable
  • poisonous
  • toxic
  • ecotoxic
  • infectious.

Depending on the circumstances, waste may still be considered hazardous if it does not meet these characteristics. This may include mixed plastics; plastics contaminated with other wastes; polyvinyl chloride; or wastes collected from households.

Will you be importing exporting transiting or selling hazardous waste

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989

An appropriate permit is required to import, export or transit hazardous waste under the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Will you be supplying, publishing or providing goods, technology or services of items listed in the Defence and Strategic Goods List?

Part 1 of the Defence and Strategic Goods List, the Munitions List, includes items designed or adapted for military purposes and goods that are inherently lethal.

Part 2 of the List, the Dual-use List, includes items designed for commercial purposes with potential military applications.

You can check the Department of Defence website for an outline of the types of items on the Munitions List and the Dual-use List.

Will you be supplying, publishing or providing goods, technology or services of items listed in the Defence and Strategic Goods List?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Defence Trade Controls Act 2012

Unless an exception or exemption applies, a permit or approval is required for supply, publication or provision of goods, technology or services of items listed within the Defence and Strategic Goods List under the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Department of Defence

Radiocommunications approvals

Will your project involve the use of radiocommunications?

Radiocommunications include:

  • radio emission or reception of radio emission for the purpose of communicating information between persons and/or things
  • radio transmissions and transmitters for the purpose of measurement
  • astronomical and meteorological observations, and
  • the operation of lighthouses, lightships, beacons and buoys.
Will your project involve the use of radiocommunications?

This field is required.

Applicable legislation: Radiocommunications Act 1992

Use of the radiocommunications spectrum generally requires an apparatus, spectrum or class licence under the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

Additional requirements apply to the use of radiocommunications in the Radio Quiet Zone in Western Australia, astronomy facilities, and earth station protection zones.

For more information see the fact sheet.

Relevant authority: Australian Communications and Media Authority

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Will your project involve foreign investors? Unanswered
Will the capital expenditure for your project total AUD $500 million or more? Unanswered
Will your project employ overseas workers or result in the arrival of foreign maritime crew in Australia by sea? Unanswered
Will your project involve Australia’s critical infrastructure assets? Unanswered

Location

Where will your project take place? Unanswered

Cultural approvals

Will your project impact on areas subject to native title? Unanswered
Will your project affect areas or objects significant to First Nations heritage? Unanswered
Will your project impact on Australia’s protected underwater cultural heritage or require entry into an underwater cultural heritage protected zone? Unanswered

Road and aviation approvals

Will your project involve heavy vehicles on roads? Unanswered
Will your project be located around leased federal airports? Unanswered
Will your project intrude into the protected airspace within a 20km radius of an airport? Unanswered
Will your project involve building or construction activities within an airport? Unanswered
Will your project involve activity within a declared Defence Aviation Area? Unanswered

Maritime approvals

Will your project involve operating a vessel at sea? Unanswered
Will your project involve operating a regulated Australian vessel or a foreign vessel to or from Australian ports or in the territorial sea of Australia? Unanswered
Will your project involve operating a domestic commercial vessel in the waters between Australia’s coastline and the boundary of Australia’s exclusive economic zone? Unanswered
Will your project involve transporting cargo or passengers on a vessel between ports in Australia? Unanswered
Will your vessel discharge oil or other marine environment pollutants as part of normal operation or is there potential for this to occur accidentally? Unanswered
Will your project involve operating a regulated Australian ship, security regulated port or security regulated offshore facility? Unanswered
Will your project involve fishing activities or impact a fishery in the Australian Fishing Zone? Unanswered
Will your project involve activity in a submarine cable protection zone? Unanswered

Offshore approvals

Will your project involve exploring, developing, producing or transmitting resources in an offshore area within the jurisdiction of the Australian Government? Unanswered
Will your project involve offshore renewable energy infrastructure or offshore electricity transmission infrastructure? Unanswered
Will your project involve offshore petroleum or greenhouse gas storage activities? Unanswered
Will your project involve offshore mining activities? Unanswered

Space approvals

Will your project involve undertaking activities in the Australian Space Industry? Unanswered

Environmental approvals

Will your project have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance? Unanswered
Will your project involve the deliberate disposal or abandonment of wastes or other matter at sea? Unanswered
Will your project involve activities with radioactive materials or radiation emitting apparatus? Unanswered
Will your project emit large amounts of greenhouse gases or consume or produce large amounts of energy? Unanswered

Therapeutic goods approvals

Will your project involve manufacturing or supplying therapeutic goods in Australia? Unanswered
Will your project involve the cultivation, production or manufacture of cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes or the manufacture of narcotic drugs other than cannabis? Unanswered

Import and export approvals

Will your project involve importing or exporting goods? Unanswered
Will your imported goods or conveyances pose a biosecurity risk? Unanswered
Will you be importing food into Australia? Unanswered
Will you be exporting prescribed goods? Unanswered
Will you be importing or exporting cultural objects? Unanswered
Will you be exporting regulated waste material? Unanswered
Will you be importing exporting transiting or selling hazardous waste Unanswered
Will you be supplying, publishing or providing goods, technology or services of items listed in the Defence and Strategic Goods List? Unanswered

Radiocommunications approvals

Will your project involve the use of radiocommunications? Unanswered

Next Steps

Save your results

You can save your list of recommended regulations by printing or emailing them.

What you need to know

  • The tool covers basic Australian Government approvals for developments and projects. You should also consider relevant state, territory and local legislation.
  • If you are not sure about the answers you have given or the information the tool has provided, it is a good idea to contact the Major Projects Facilitation Agency who can take into account your complete situation and provide information tailored to the needs of your project.
  • Should you need more information on certain legislation, the relevant MPFA fact sheets are a good place to start.

Contact the Major Projects Facilitation Agency

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