Incident reporting

The EPA's core role is to ensure that activities that pollute or are likely to pollute the environment are managed in a way that eliminates or minimises environmental harm.

The EPA regulates activities of environmental significance through environmental authorisations or licences. The EPA also has a responsibility to protect the environment from major pollution incidents such as chemical spills or discharges into waterways,

The EPA welcomes reports of pollution or environmental harm resulting from EPA-licensed commercial and industrial sites, or major pollution incidents. If you observe an incident that you think the EPA should be aware of, you can make a report to the EPA in the manner explained below.

There are other agencies and authorities that also regulate activities that impact the environment. Specifically, local councils are responsible for investigating matters of local nuisance and littering.

Further information on other activities and organisations. 

Report these incidents to the EPA

• All pollution incidents relating to an EPA-licensed site.
• Major environmental incidents requiring an emergency response.
• Radiation incidents.
• Illegal dumping of commercial and industrial quantities.

Note: Minor environmental nuisance issues, kerbside rubbish and litter remains the responsibility of local government and should be reported to the council

Submit a report

The EPA call centre can be contacted 24/7 to manage incidents, reports and enquiries. Details of each incident will be recorded on the EPA database for future reference. All complaints and reports will require the following information:

• name, address and daytime telephone number of person making the report
• incident details (please indicate if the incident is still occurring at the time this notification is lodged)
• date and time of incident
• details of source of pollution such as business name, address, etc
• location of incident (not always the same as address).

To make a report, please telephone (08) 8204 2004 or 1800 623 445 (non-metropolitan callers). You can also send an email for non-urgent enquiries only.

Restrictions on reporting to the EPA

Please note caller's details are confidential to the EPA. The EPA may not investigate anonymous notifications.

It is always best to report an environmental concern to someone. If you are unsure who is best to investigate your concern, call the EPA or your council, and they will be able to direct you to the appropriate authority. You can also check for the relevant organisation to contact.