Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The Minister must arrange for a review of a national environmental standard to be started:

within 18 months of the standard commencing; and

at least every 5 years after that.

A standard must be reviewed in accordance with paragraph (1)(a) even if it is varied before the end of the 18 months.

If a standard is varied (other than a variation of a minor or machinery nature) more than 18 months after it commenced, the next review of the standard is to be started within 5 years of the variation commencing.

A review of a standard must consider the extent to which the standard is achieving its outcomes and objectives and what changes, if any, should be made to the standard.

The persons undertaking a review must give the Minister a written report of the review by the end of:

the period of 12 months starting on the day the review commenced; or

if the Minister, in writing, extends that period—the extended period.

The Minister must arrange for the report to be published on the Department’s website as soon as practicable after the report is given to the Minister.