1. Contact from the applicant

The first contact with us may be as an enquiry. We would then help determine if approval is required and which application should be used.

2. The pre-application period

The pre-application period begins when you confirm you will be submitting an application. Once completed, you send your draft application form and supporting information (in an appendix of confidential material, if necessary) to us for comment.

See our guide to hazardous substance risk assessment methods in the Related Content at the end of this page. It explains the approach that we take to evaluating the risks, cost and benefits of a new hazardous substance and the sort of information we need.

Your application is given an application number (APP200xxx) and assigned to an advisor. While there is no obligation for you to proceed to the next stage, significant pre-application interactions may incur a charge (whether you proceed or not). This is on a case-by-case basis and we will inform you when such costs are likely.

3. Formal receipt of the application

An application is formally received once a completed signed application form is submitted to us and the application fee has been paid. The application will be placed on our website.

4. Public notification (for notified applications only)

Public notification must occur within 10 working days of the formal receipt of the application, unless a waiver has been received.

We notify the public that the application has been received, via our website. People on our interested parties lists who have asked to be kept informed of such applications are also notified by email or letter.

The public have 30 working days to lodge submissions about the application.   

5. Evaluation and review of the application

The advisors evaluate and review the application and submissions, where relevant, and provide their assessment in the form of a report. The risks and benefits of the substance and its proposed use are also assessed.  

6. Hearing (for notified applications only)

Where an application is publicly notified, a hearing may be held. A hearing is where those people who provided a written submission have the opportunity to present their submission in person if they wish. The Decision-making Committee uses the submissions to obtain further information that will assist with the final decision.

7. Consideration by the Decision-making Committee or the Decision-maker

The Decision-making Committee or the Decision-maker meets to consider the application and decide whether to approve, not approve, or decline the application, or whether more information is required before a decision can be made. A substance can only be approved if the positive effects (the benefits) outweigh the adverse effects (the risks and costs).

Our risk assessment model: Take a look at how we balance risks and benefits when evaluating applications (JPG, 229KB)

8. Applicant notification

Once a decision is made, the applicant is told the decision and a copy of the decision document is published on our website.