As part of its role in supporting the Ministers for Water and the Environment, the Department administers a range of related legislation. In doing so, the Department has significant statutory and regulatory responsibilities to deliver improved outcomes for public health, the environment and water resources.
The Department’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy was first published in 2021. The policy was updated in 2026 following a five-year review, which included consultation with stakeholders, to clarify the Department’s risk-based, proportionate and transparent approach to compliance and enforcement.
Compliance with the law is mandatory and the Department uses a range of regulatory tools to promote, monitor and enforce compliance. We aim to achieve a balanced approach that protects environmental values, while enabling responsible development and economic growth. We are committed to being a fair, consistent and effective regulator.
The Department’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy outlines how we:
- encourage and support compliance
- assess and respond to non-compliance
- apply enforcement actions that are proportionate, consistent and risk-based
- deter unlawful behaviour and address environmental harm.
Compliance and Enforcement Guideline
The Compliance and Enforcement Guideline provides detailed guidance on how the Department promotes, monitors and enforces compliance using its regulatory toolkit. The guideline supports consistent and risk-based decision-making across the Department’s compliance and enforcement activities.
Prosecutions Guideline
The Prosecutions Guideline sets out the principles and approach the Department applies when considering and conducting prosecutions under the relevant legislation. The guideline also provides guidance on decision-making and the management of prosecution processes.
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