The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) provides for the protection of the environment, especially matters of national environmental significance (NES). 

Under the EPBC Act, a person must not take an action that has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on any of the matters of NES without approval from the Australian Government Environment Minister. To obtain approval from the Environment Minister, a proposed action is first referred to the Department for Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

The purpose of a referral is to obtain a decision on whether the proposed action will need formal assessment and approval under the EPBC Act.

To view the referral form, please download the PDF above.