Timeframes

DEMIRS and DWER use target timeframes to monitor and report on approval performance for key approval processes. More complex, or non-standard, applications generally require more time to assess.
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Exploration and prospecting approval journey

Approval typeIs it statutory, regulatory or target?Approval timeline, including business days, calendar days
Part IV

Target except for following statutory timelines:

  • within 28 days after the referral of the proposal, the EPA is to give written notice of whether or not it is going to assess the proposal
  • the assessment report may be given to the Minister not later than 6 weeks after the EPA completes its assessment of the proposal.
Variable – details on timeframes for an assessment are outlined in the EPA’s Procedures Manual.*
Native vegetation clearing permitTarget80% of applications determined in 60 business days*
Programme of WorkTarget80% of applications determined in 15 business days*
Water licence approval under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914Target65 (low risk application), 75 (medium risk application) and 95 (high risk application) business days.*
Approval under the EPBC ActTarget80% of applications determined in 60 business days*
Approval under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 Subject to application contact Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.*
Approval under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016N/ANo timelines for BC Act*

*Note 1: All targets are subject to the provision of sufficient information being supplied on lodgement to assess the application.
*Note 2: Typical stop-the-clock events may occur at the lodgement stage or during assessment (e.g. requests for advice from other agencies or requests for further information from the applicant).

Mining approval journeys

Approval typeIs it statutory, regulatory or target?Approval timeline – including business days, calendar days
Part IV

Target except for following statutory timelines:

  • within 28 days after the referral of the proposal, the EPA is to give written notice of whether or not it is going to assess the proposal
  • the assessment report may be given to the Minister not later than 6 weeks after the EPA completes its assessment of the proposal.
Variable – details on timeframes for an assessment are outlined in the EPA’s Procedures Manual*
Works approval and licence 80% of applications determined in 60 business days*
Water licenceTarget65 (low risk application), 75 (medium risk application) and 95 (high risk application) business days.*
Native vegetation clearing permitTarget80% of applications determined in 60 business days*
Mining proposalTarget80% of applications determined within 30 business days*
Approval under the EPBC ActTarget80% of applications determined in 60 business days*
Approval under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 Subject to application contact Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.*
Approval under the EPBC Act Variable*
Approval under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016N/ANo timelines for BC Act*

*Note 1: All targets are subject to the provision of sufficient information being supplied on lodgement to assess the application.
*Note 2: Typical stop-the-clock events may occur at the lodgement stage or during assessment (e.g. requests for advice from other agencies or requests for further information from the applicant).

Mining environmental approvals