Our work with industry associations, state government, local councils, community groups and others contributes to a state of knowledge about: 

• managing the risks of harm your business activities may pose to human health and the environment from pollution or waste 
• knowing what steps you can take to eliminate or reduce those risks 
• improving your approach to environmental management.

We also support business with guidance under environment protection laws by:  

• providing information about major human health and environmental issues  
• helping businesses understand their environmental obligations under new environment protection laws 
• educating businesses after severe or repeated compliance breaches in their industry.  

About new laws and guidance

Under new laws and the general environmental duty (GED), it’s your responsibility to: 

• understand and assess the risks your activities may pose 
• eliminate or reduce those risks as far as reasonably practicable.  

Our focus has shifted from managing the consequences of pollution. We now also work with business to prevent harm to human health and the environment from pollution and waste. Our role is also to provide guidance to help businesses do this.  

Our prevention-focused guidance contributes to your state of knowledge and includes: 

• a self-assessment tool for small business to help you check what actions you can take to manage risk 
• industry or sector guidance. This covers common industry-specific hazards and risks, and topic-specific guidance. It also includes a four-step risk management process and information on duties.   
• hazard-based guidance. This covers dust, erosion and sediment, liquid storage and handling, noise, odour, and solid storage and handling. 
• general guidance, for example, how to manage your environmental risk and working with an environmental consultant.  

We also provide information for businesses that includes how-to guides, information about forms, industry events, consultations, and fees and penalties.