Transporting waste interstate or overseas
Waste tracking helps stamp out illegal dumping, prevents waste going to the wrong facility and stops unfair competition.
The following information will help you understand your responsibilities and determine what you need to do to comply with the Waste Regulation when transporting your waste interstate or overseas.
Types of waste tracked that must be tracked
The types of waste that must be tracked are listed in the Schedule 1 of the Environment Protection Act 1993. For more information see the fact sheets Characterising your waste and Waste that must be tracked.
Waste movements into SA from interstate locations
The tracking requirements for waste movements into SA from interstate locations are essentially the same as for waste movements within SA.
Consignment authorisations can be obtained from the EPA on completion of the application form. Waste can be tracked using the online waste tracking system.
Waste movements from SA to interstate locations
For waste movements from SA to an interstate facility, contact the environment agency of the destination jurisdiction for advice on requirements including consignment authorisations.
If the waste is being transported out of SA ensure that the consignment authorisation is valid for the destination jurisdiction.
Overseas compliance
If you are transporting waste to or from an overseas location, contact the Australian Government Department of the Environment for advice on the requirements.
If you are transporting waste to another state or territory, you must comply with the laws of the state or territory that you pass through once you leave SA. The 5-docket transport certificates available from the EPA are valid for waste transported from SA to other states and territories.
Penalties for non-compliance
Failure to comply with a licence condition is a breach of section 45(5) of the Environment Protection Act 1993. This may result in the EPA taking regulatory action against the licensee for contravening a condition of an Environmental Authorisation (maximum penalty $120,000).
There are significant penalties for those caught illegally dumping waste. For individuals, penalties can be as high as $500,000 or 4 years imprisonment. For a corporate body the penalty can be as high as $2 million.
Waste producers or transporters who dispose of waste illegally could be fined up to $120,000 and face up to two years imprisonment and corporations face fines of up to $250,000, under clause 10 of the Environment Protection (Waste to Resources) Policy 2010. Poor operators could even have their EPA licence revoked.
It is an offence to provide false or misleading information and can result in a maximum fine of $60,000.
List of environment agencies
A list of contact details for the Commonwealth, state and territory environment agencies follows. Contact the environment agency in the relevant jurisdiction for advice on their requirements.
Commonwealth Government
Department of the Environment
John Gorton Building
King Edward Terrace, PARKES ACT 2600
GPO Box 787, CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone: 1800 803 772 Fax: +61 2 6274 1666
Website: www.environment.gov.au
Australian Capital Territory
Environment and Planning Directorate
Dame Pattie Menzies House
16 Challis Street, DICKSON ACT 2602
GPO Box 158, CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601
Phone: 13 22 81 or (02) 6207 1923
Website: www.environment.act.gov.au
Northern Territory
Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority
The Avenue, Level 2, Suite 201
12 Salonika Street, PARAP, NT 0820
GPO Box 3675, DARWIN NT 0801
Phone: (08) 8924 4218 Fax: (08) 8924 4053
Website: www.ntepa.nt.gov.au
Queensland
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
400 George Street, BRISBANE QLD 4000
GPO Box 2454 BRISBANE QLD 4000
Phone: 13 74 68
Website: www.ehp.qld.gov.au
New South Wales
Environment Protection Authority
4 Parramatta Square
12 Darcy Street, PARRAMATTA NSW 2150
Locked Bag 5022, PARRAMATTA, NSW 2124
Phone: (02) 9995 5000
Website: www.epa.nsw.gov.au
Tasmania
EPA Division
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
Level 7, 134 Macquarie Street, HOBART TAS 7000
GPO Box 1550, HOBART TAS 7001
Phone: (03) 6165 4599 Fax: (03) 6233 3800
Website: www.epa.tas.gov.au
Victoria
Environment Protection Authority
200 Victoria Street, CARLTON VIC 3053
GPO Box 4395 MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Phone: 1300 372 842
Fax: (03) 9695 2610
Website: www.epa.vic.gov.au
Western Australia
Environmental Protection Authority
The Atrium
168 St Georges Terrace, PERTH WA 6000
Locked Bag 10, EAST PERTH WA 6892
Phone: (08) 6154 0800 Fax: (08) 6154 0895
Website: www.epa.wa.gov.au
