Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Summary

Per‑ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic chemicals often found at legacy fuel sites, firefighting-foam locations or industrial facilities. Understanding PFAS is critical for environmental professionals, developers and regulators in Australia to identify contamination risk, evaluate remediation needs and support approval pathways.

Definition

PFAS are a large group of man-made synthetic fluorinated chemicals that resist heat, stains, grease and water — characterised by strong carbon-fluorine bonds, high mobility in soil/groundwater and extreme persistence in the environment.

Why It Matters

Environmental & Human-health risks

PFAS are often described as “forever chemicals” because they do not readily break down, can travel through soil and water, and bio-accumulate in ecosystems and human tissue. Their widespread use (e.g., in firefighting foam, stain-resistant coatings, industrial process fluids) means they may be encountered on sites undergoing redevelopment or remediation.

Land remediation & compliance implications

• Sites with historical use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) or large-scale fill operations may carry PFAS contamination, which influences soil classification, groundwater monitoring and remediation design.

• Regulatory regimes now treat PFAS as a special-risk contaminant category: the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (PFAS NEMP) is the national guide for managing PFAS in Australia.

• For developers and environmental consultants, failure to consider PFAS early may cause significant project delay, added remediation cost, or refusal of approvals when contamination is uncovered late.
  

Technical & design consequences

PFAS investigations require specialised sampling, low-detection laboratory methods, long-term monitoring and often more rigorous material management frameworks than “typical” hydrocarbon or metal contamination. The complexity links PFAS management closely with other disciplines (eg. soil & waste classification, groundwater monitoring wells, remediation action plans).

When It’s Required

Project triggers

• Sites where firefighting foams (AFFF) were used (for example airports, military bases, fuel storage sites, truck servicing yards) — key PFAS sources.

• Redevelopment of land with unknown fill, industrial legacy or proximity to fire-suppression infrastructure where PFAS may have migrated via groundwater or surface water.

• Major earthworks, excavation or groundwater extraction/dewatering in areas of known or potential PFAS presence — workforce health, material reuse and disposal all require PFAS-aware protocols.

• Applications for change of land-use or environmental licence where PFAS screening is required as part of the contamination assessment.

• Waste streams (soil, sediment, water) being classified for disposal or reuse must be screened for PFAS if they originate from PFAS-implicated activities.

Regulatory & legislative context

• The Australian Government directs PFAS management under the PFAS NEMP. 

• State regulators (for example in Victoria, NSW, Queensland) issue guidance on managing PFAS-contaminated materials and waste. 

• Given PFAS persistence and bioaccumulation, investigations must often follow best-practice frameworks (investigate → manage → validate → monitor) rather than ad-hoc sampling.

How We Can Help

Addressing PFAS contamination is complex but essential for responsible land development, remediation and regulatory compliance in Australia. With the right planning, investigation and management strategies, you can control PFAS risk and achieve environmentally safe, regulation-ready outcomes. Nova Group Pacific is here to support your project from start to finish.

We assist developers, environmental consultants and regulatory stakeholders with integrated PFAS-capable services, including:

• PFAS screening & site investigation design – Identify whether PFAS is a contaminant of concern on your site, design sampling plans, integrate PFAS pathways into your conceptual site model.

• Laboratory partner coordination & data interpretation – Provide guidance on appropriate PFAS analytical suites, interpret trace-level results in context of Australian guidance.

• Material management & disposal strategy – Assist in determining whether excavated soils, surface and groundwater, sediments qualify for reuse, require off-site disposal or need classification as a waste.

• Remediation planning & long-term monitoring – Integrate PFAS remediation options (e.g., soil washing, carbon adsorption, containment) with other site services (such as groundwater monitoring wells) and produce documentation aligned with approval requirements.

Contact us today to ensure PFAS risks are identified early, managed effectively and never become a barrier to project success.

Related Terms and Concepts

• Soil & Waste Classification – Deeply connected to PFAS when excavated material may contain PFAS and require classification for reuse or disposal.

• Hazardous Waste – PFAS-impacted soils, sediments or water may meet hazardous-waste criteria, requiring specialised handling, transport and disposal in accordance with environmental regulations.

• Groundwater Monitoring Wells – Critical where PFAS may migrate into groundwater; wells support trend monitoring and validation of remediation.

• Environmental Site Assessment – PFAS assessment may form part of a broader ESA for redevelopment or change of land use.

• Remediation Action Plan – When PFAS contamination is confirmed, the RAP will set out strategies for remediation, management and verification.

• Excavated Natural Material – Clean material reuse pathways may require PFAS screening to confirm suitability under reuse frameworks.