Environment protection requirements
The Australian Government requires petroleum and greenhouse gas (GHG) companies to conduct their activities in a manner that meets a high standard of environmental protection. The petroleum industry's environmental record in Australia, particularly in offshore areas, has been exemplary. It could be expected that any petroleum proposal in offshore areas would be approved provided high environmental standards are met.
The objective based Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009
provide companies with the flexibility to meet environmental protection requirements.
Onshore and coastal waters environmental approval processes
In Australia, the state and territory governments own and administer petroleum rights over land and coastal waters within three nautical miles of the coastline. While the Australian Government has some responsibilities regarding environmental protection in these areas, the state and territory governments are the main environmental management authorities.
Offshore environmental approval processes
The Australian Government has jurisdiction for the regulation of petroleum and greenhouse gas activities for Australia's offshore areas beyond coastal waters. The following flow chart outlines environmental approval processes for petroleum exploration activities in Commonwealth waters.
Download the Offshore Environmental Approval Processes Flowchart [
PDF, 31KB | 
DOC 26KB].