Water and Environmental Regulation one-stop shop

We are a one-stop shop for information about water licensing, environment regulation and environmental assessments.
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A coordinated approach to water and environmental approvals

As the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, we are responsible for environment and water regulation.

We serve as a ‘one stop shop’ for industry and developers with the aim of streamlining and simplifying regulation, while ensuring robustness of regulation to meet government and community expectations.

'Our regulatory approach' document outlines our regulatory responsibilities, how we undertake our regulatory functions and how they all fit together to achieve water and environmental outcomes for Western Australia.

We are continuing to drive regulatory innovation and integration initiatives through the following key reform initiatives:

  • Application coordination framework coordinates multiple application assessments relating to Pt IV and V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) and the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 (RIWI Act). Contact us to find out how we can coordinate your multiple applications.
  • Procedures: Stages of assessment is a series of procedures for water, industry and native vegetation regulation that outline the key stages of assessment for licence, permits and works approval applications relating to Pt V of the EP Act and the RIWI Act. These procedures detail how  our assessment process reflects the legislation it administers. The procedures also provide applicants with clarity on our requirements and how we are harmonising our processes across regulatory delivery.
  • Policy framework categorises all regulatory documents across our business areas into a clear and structured document hierarchy model, providing the applicants with guidance on how to apply our regulatory documents, based on where they fit in the hierarchy.
  • Environment Online will provide a one-stop-shop online portal for industry, developers and the community for water and environmental approvals.

If you require multiple assessments or would like further information on how to apply, please contact us on 1800 161 176.

Water licensing

Apply for a water licence, manage my water licence, submit data for an application, FAQs and exemptions.

Industry regulation

Apply for a licence or works approval.

Native vegetation regulation

Apply for a clearing permit.

Environmental assessments (EPA)

Submit a referral to the EPA, submit a request to amend a proposal/conditions.

Policy framework

How regulatory documents support the stages of assessment.

We have implemented a policy framework to ensure all documents across our business areas are classified into a clear and structured document hierarchy and governance model.