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This page has moved to EPA’s new website. You can find the up-to-date information using the link below:
epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/find-a-topic/landfill-guidance
The following premises are not subject to the landfill levy:
There are two methods used to calculate the levy, licence holders should use the method that best suits their facility. It is important to note that only one method can be used when calculating the levy.
The weighbridge is used to record the type and amount for all wastes (including cover material) that enters the site to calculate all levy payments.
Transfer stations using this method may be eligible for a recycling rebate for wastes that are levied and then removed from the licensed premises for recycling.
The Waste Management Policy (Siting, Design and Management of Landfills) require all Schedule C landfill licence holders to have a weighbridge. For non-Schedule C landfills where a weighbridge is not in operation, EPA has approved two methods:
After recording the volume of waste received (as cubic metres) the volumes must be converted to weight using conversion factors detailed in the volume-to-mass conversion tool.
A quarterly estimate can be made by dividing the previous year’s gross volume deposited (including cover material volume) by four. The resultant estimated volume is then multiplied by a density of 1.1 t/m3 unless a different, site-specific density has been established. This method is only to be used where the landfill was operational for the whole of the previous financial year. In addition, the licence holder must provide accurate information to EPA that verifies the relative proportions of the different waste received.
When a licence holder cannot demonstrate that waste has been recycled, reprocessed, recovered or purified in accordance with section 50SA or section 50SAA of the Environment Protection Act 1970, a rebate on the landfill levy may be rejected.
In certain instances, licence holders that are licensed to receive prescribed industrial waste may receive a levy rebate for recycling of prescribed industrial waste under section 50SAA of the Environment Protection Act 1970.
Please refer to Calculating the landfill levy and recycling rebates (publication 332), for the requirements that must be satisfied when making a rebate claim.
Where a licence holder can demonstrate that waste has been recycled, reprocessed, recovered or purified in accordance with section 50SA of the Environment Protection Act 1970, a rebate on the landfill levy may be claimed. This rebate is only claimable in annual landfill levy statements.
Documents used for preparation of your annual performance statement (APS) and landfill levy must be retained at the premises for seven years from the date of each statement. This includes documents and monitoring records used to assess compliance with licence conditions relevant to landfill levies, and records, documents and receipts relating to any materials entering or exiting the landfill site, including the application and rate of the landfill levy. These documents must be stored so that they are legible, and are readily available if required for an audit. Any discrepancies in materials received or recycled at the premises must be accounted for.
All cover materials that are sourced from onsite excavations are not subject to the levy and should not be included in calculations.
Cover material brought onto the licensed premise from external sources is subject to levy. For soils classified as ‘fill material’ that are used as cover, the municipal levy rate applies. For other materials that are not ‘fill material’ that are used as cover, the appropriate levy rate for that type of waste should apply. Licence holders must obtain written approval from EPA to use materials that are not ‘fill material’ as cover material.
Materials brought onto site which are used in the construction of the "containment cell for waste" (that is, cell liners, bund walls, EPA approved capping, or gas collection or leachate management systems) are not subject to the landfill levy. In addition, waste material received that does not require processing and is directly suitable for the construction of roads outside the licensed disposal area, is not subject to the landfill levy.
A haul road is one that runs inside the licensed waste disposal area of a landfill. Materials used for the construction of haul roads are not subject to landfill levies of the licence holder prepares a haul road construction and management plan before commencing construction, if conditions in Calculating the landfill levy and recycling rebates (publication 332), Appendix 2 are met. A suitably qualified independent person needs to certify the management plan.
A natural disaster is a serious disruption to a community caused by the impact of a naturally occurring event that requires a significant and coordinated multi-agency response, such as a major bushfire or flood. Waste collected after a natural disaster may be eligible for an exemption of payment of the landfill levy. To gain exemption from the landfill levy, licence holders must apply to EPA for section 30A emergency discharge approval. Such exemptions usually require ministerial approval.
Under section 30A of the Environment Protection Act 1970, licence and non-licence holders can apply for an overriding provision that permits commercial or industrial premises to temporarily discharge, emit or deposit waste and store, treat, handle or dispose of waste on or from other premise that would be otherwise be an offence under the Act.
The application needs to fit one of the following criteria:
Once issued, the licence holder needs to comply with conditions within the 30A approval to ensure the discharge or handling of waste is managed appropriately and does not result in any long-term impacts to the environment.
Contact EPA on 1300 372 842(1300 EPA VIC) or at approvals.applications@epa.vic.gov.au as soon as you are aware that you may require an approval. An EPA officer will then notify you of what actions to take, which will include submitting a written proposal as required by the Environment Protection Act 1970. An application form is available on EPA’s website.
Where the Authority determines that a levy payment for the tonnage of waste deposited onto land at the premises was incorrect or has not been paid by the due date, the following may apply:
Please contact Landfill Levy team on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842) or at landfill.levy@epa.vic.gov.au for further assistance.
Page last updated on 21 Aug 2020