Environmental Audit

Summary

Environmental audits are formal, independent evaluations used to assess environmental risks, compliance status, and site suitability for proposed or ongoing land uses. They provide regulators, developers, and project teams with transparent, defensible information to support decision-making and regulatory approvals.

Definition

An environmental audit is a systematic, independent assessment of a site, activity, or process to evaluate environmental conditions, compliance with legislation, and the adequacy of management controls. Audits are carried out by qualified and accredited professionals, and may be mandatory under state legislation for certain projects or contaminated sites.

Why It Matters

Environmental audits are a cornerstone of Australia’s environmental due diligence and regulatory compliance framework. They ensure that environmental risks are properly identified, assessed, and controlled, providing confidence to regulators, developers, financiers, and the community.

Environmental audits help to:
‍

• confirm compliance with environmental legislation, approvals, and licence conditions‍
• assess the suitability of land for current or proposed uses‍
• identify contamination, groundwater risks, and legacy site liabilities‍
• validate the effectiveness of remediation works
• support planning approvals and major redevelopment projects‍
• demonstrate corporate due diligence and environmental accountability
  ‍
  

In jurisdictions such as Victoria, environmental audits under the Environment Protection Act 2017 may be legally required for sites proposed for sensitive uses (e.g., residential, childcare, schools). Other states use similar frameworks or independent contaminated land auditors to ensure credible, transparent environmental reporting.

When It’s Required

Environmental audits are required or strongly recommended in a range of scenarios, including:

Contaminated Land Assessment and Redevelopment

Audits help determine whether land is safe for redevelopment, guiding remediation strategies and verifying post-remediation site conditions.

Planning and Development Approvals

Consent authorities may require an environmental audit to support a Development Application (DA), particularly where contamination, groundwater issues, or environmental sensitivities exist.

Due Diligence for Property Transactions

Purchasers, investors, and lenders often require an independent audit to quantify environmental liabilities and inform acquisition decisions.

Regulatory Compliance

Audits may be mandated through:
‍

• state environmental protection legislation
• licence or permit conditions
• enforcement notices or regulatory directives
  ‍
  

High-Risk Industries and Infrastructure Projects

Sectors such as waste management, chemical manufacturing, transport, energy, and heavy industry often require periodic audits to maintain compliance and manage operational risks.

How We Can Help

Nova Group Pacific provides independent, technically robust support for environmental audits, including the investigations, data, and compliance documentation required to meet regulator expectations and demonstrate site suitability.
‍

• Contaminated Land Assessment, Management & Remediation: Comprehensive investigations, risk assessments, site history reviews, waste classification, remediation design, and validation reporting that underpin audit findings and satisfy regulatory requirements.‍
• Groundwater & Surface Water Assessments: Hydrogeological investigations, groundwater quality monitoring, plume assessments, and surface water studies that inform audit risk pathways and environmental performance evaluations.‍
• Environmental & Geotechnical Drilling Services: Subsurface investigations, soil and groundwater sampling, monitoring well installation, and drilling programs that provide reliable data for environmental audit assessments.‍
• Environmental Management & Compliance: Preparation or review of EMPs and CEMPs, compliance monitoring programs, regulatory reporting, and implementation of corrective actions identified through audit recommendations.
  ‍

Ensure your project meets regulatory expectations with confidence. Nova Group Pacific provides the technical assessments, data, and compliance support required for a smooth and defensible environmental audit process.

‍Contact our team today to discuss your audit requirements and get expert guidance tailored to your site.

Related Terms and Concepts

• Environmental Management Plans (EMP/CEMP) – supports compliance frameworks that often sit alongside audit recommendations.‍
• Environmental Due Diligence – audits commonly form part of due diligence for redevelopment or acquisition of contaminated or high-risk sites.‍
• Soil & Waste Classifications – audits may identify non-compliant waste storage or disposal practices requiring reclassification and management.‍
• Hazardous Waste – environmental audits may identify hazardous waste streams requiring compliant management, containment, or disposal pathways.‍
• Contaminated Land – environmental audits assess the presence, extent, and risk of contaminated land, informing suitability for land use and regulatory decision-making.