The PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (NEMP) is a framework for the environmental regulation of PFAS-contaminated materials and sites. It is:

  • consistent
  • practical
  • risk-based.

As agreed by the Heads of EPA Australia and New Zealand (HEPA), the PFAS NEMP:

  • represents the state of knowledge
  • defines nationally consistent standards for managing environmental contamination.

It is updated in response to emerging research and knowledge and informs EPA decision making.

Read the current PFAS NEMP

Visit the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to read the current PFAS NEMP.

Key changes in version 3.0

Version 3.0 includes new and updated guidance and standards on priority themes. These include:

Theme 1: PFAS family

  • International approaches to grouping of PFASs.

Theme 2: Environmental data and monitoring

  • Guidance on ambient monitoring data collection and land use classifications to enable comparability.

Theme 3: Water

  • Risk-based criteria and guidance for beneficial reuse of biosolids.

Theme 4: Soil

  • Guidance and standards around PFAS behaviour in soil, including:
    • leaching 
    • associated ecological and human health. 
  • Definition and reviews two guideline values already in the NEMP and proposes two new guideline values for soil and one for wildlife diet.

Theme 5: Resource recovery and waste

  • Guidance on management of risks associated with PFAS in resource recovery products.

Theme 6: Site specific guidance

  • Guidance on principles and approaches to remediation and management
  • Guidance on construction water
  • Guidance on estuarine, coastal and marine sediment.

For more information, visit the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

How EPA will use the NEMP 3.0

The PFAS NEMP forms part of overall assessments rather than providing strict compliance limits. The PFAS NEMP will be directly relevant when:

  • determining the impact of an activity on human health and the environment
  • any measures the applicant has taken in order to comply with the GED.

We will refer to the PFAS NEMP when making permit assessments. However, there may be circumstances where the risks of harm have been minimised as far as reasonably practicable.

The PFAS NEMP sets Australian standards for managing environmental contamination. These standards may be different in other jurisdictions. Businesses in international markets should consider destination requirements for their products.

EPA uses the PFAS NEMP when assessing compliance with:

  • the general environmental duty (GED)
  • the duty to manage contaminated land
  • permissions assessments.

What is expected of duty holders

Duty holders should review their risk control measures to ensure they remain appropriate based on the NEMP 3.0. This may include reviewing outcomes from:

  • site investigations
  • risks assessments
  • other environmental monitoring data.

If you are part-way through PFAS investigation or management action, you must now consider the PFAS NEMP 3.0.

The PFAS NEMP 3.0 is not expected to affect existing remedial notices with grounds that relate to exceedances of PFAS guideline values. New remedial notices and compliance advice will reference the PFAS NEMP 3.0.

EPA regulates PFAS in the same way it does any industrial chemical in the environment. The PFAS NEMP 3.0 guideline values are not strict compliance limits. Exceeding these values may not signal an immediate risk of harm, rather that further investigation is warranted.

 

Reviewed 18 March 2025