What approvals
are needed?
A range of Commonwealth and State approvals are required for the construction, operation and decommissioning of an offshore wind project in Australia.
Licencing and
regulation
Offshore wind projects are licenced and regulated under the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021.
- A feasibility licence is needed to investigate a project’s potential.
- A commercial licence is needed to move forward into construction and operations.
- A transmission infrastructure licence is needed to investigate, construct and operate transmission infrastructure in Commonwealth waters.
- An approved management plan is required before works can begin. This is a legally enforceable document which sets out how a project will comply with relevant laws, regulations and approvals.
The Offshore Infrastructure Regulator is responsible for regulating Australia’s offshore wind industry. They oversee work health and safety, infrastructure integrity and environmental management and compliance.
Environment and
planning approvals
Projects go through rigorous assessment and approval processes before they can be constructed, operated and decommissioned.
The main environmental approval for an offshore wind project in Australia is under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Various other approvals, consents or licences are also required for specific activities or parts of a project. In Victoria, this includes approval under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, the Marine and Coastal Act 2019, and the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.
Seeking these approvals involves years of scientific studies, data collection and community consultation.
GET INVOLVED
Community consultation plays an important role in all approval and licencing processes.
We’ll share information, seek out feedback, listen and respond as our projects progress through each stage.
Formal government consultation processes also provide an opportunity to share your feedback directly to decision makers.