Step 11: Do the works impact matters of national environmental significance?

This step helps you check if your proposal could affect matters of national environmental significance (MNES) protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Will the works impact matters of national environmental significance?

If you answered yes

If your works may affect any matters of national environmental significance, you must contact the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). Your project may require referral and approval under the EPBC Act.

The matters of national environmental significance protected under national environment law include:

• Listed threatened species and communities
• Listed migratory species
• Ramsar wetlands of international importance
• Commonwealth marine environment
• World heritage properties
• National heritage places
• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
• Nuclear actions
• A water resource, in relation to coal seam gas development and large coal mining development.

Learn more:

• EPBC Act overview
• Significant Impact Guidelines
• Submit a Referral

If a referral is needed, you must wait for federal approval before starting works.

If you are not sure

You can:

• use the Protected Matters Search Tool to check whether MNES are present near your site
• contact the Australian Government DCCEEW for written advice.

If any protected matters appear in your search, contact DCCEEW before you start works.