Activities requiring an A17 permission
Use this information if you’re applying for an A17 permission.
This is for activities that involve the containment of category D waste soil on a project site when the waste soil is from that same site. Project site for the purposes of A17—Containment of Category D waste soil is defined in the Environment Protection Regulations 2021. It means any land specified EPA in the permit, provided that land is:
(a) a single area of land which is identified in a document as part of an amendment to a planning scheme under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 made on or after 1 July 2021; or
(b) land that relates to public works within the meaning of the Environment Effects Act 1978;
Types of waste soil that don’t fall under an A17 permission
If wastes are brought into the site from other projects or activities, A17 is not applicable. Schedule 1 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 describes which ones suit off-site waste soil.
If the waste soil from your site contains acid sulfate soil, you must manage this waste separately as priority waste. In this case, waste code N123 applies. Schedule 5 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 has more information.
Material that is entirely or principally ballast may not be considered waste soil for the purpose of A17. Schedule 1 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 has more information on different permission types that may be suitable for supply or use of ballast.
What you should include in your application
You should complete and attach the following documents in the upload section of the online application. We may also ask for additional information while assessing your application.
Understand permit conditions
An EPA permit has standard conditions attached. These outline the legal obligations of the permission holder. They set up a framework for risk management, record keeping and reporting. Referring to them may help you understand the risks and risk management controls you need to demonstrate in your application:
A17 permit conditions (Containment of Category D waste soil)
How to prepare and submit an application
Relevant guidance
This guidance may inform your state of knowledge but does not define it. State of knowledge is all the information you should reasonably know about managing your business's risks.
Environment Protection Regulations 2021
Assessing and controlling risk: a guide for business (publication 1695)
Reasonably practicable (publication 1856)
Industry guidance: supporting you to comply with the general environmental duty (publication 1741)
Waste disposal categories - characteristics and thresholds (publication 1828)
Waste classification assessment protocol (publication 1827)
Sampling and analysis of waters, wastewaters, soils and wastes (publication IWRG701)
Soil sampling (publication IWRG702)
Interim position statement on PFAS (publication 1669)
Waste classification assessment protocol (publication 1827)
Waste disposal categories - characteristics and thresholds (publication 1828)
Reasonably practicable (publication 1856)
Guide to classifying industrial waste (publication 1968)
Waste disposal categories – characteristics and thresholds (publication 1828)
PFAS National Environment Management Plan 2.0
WorkSafe Australia Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice
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Reviewed 23 November 2021
