General environmental duty in Victoria: practical checklist

Sources checked 18 September 2026. Scope: Victoria, with Australian schemes identified where relevant.

Victoria's general environmental duty requires people to eliminate or reduce pollution and waste risks so far as reasonably practicable. It is preventative, not simply a response after damage. Source: EPA Victoria — General environmental duty.

What applies

EPA places the duty under section 25 of the Environment Protection Act 2017. It applies to activities creating risks to people or the environment. EPA recommends a risk-management process for businesses; controls should be checked and adjusted as activities and risks change. Source: EPA Victoria — General environmental duty.

Practical checks for your business

These suggested planning steps help organise site information; they are not an exhaustive legal compliance checklist.

Walk through waste generation, storage and collection with the staff involved. Identify site-specific concerns.
Record the control for each concern, its owner and how it will be checked. Escalate risks needing specialist assessment.
Review after process changes, incidents, complaints or failed collections. Keep evidence of action taken.

Confirm the requirement for your site

For a disputed requirement or enforcement issue, ask the relevant authority or qualified adviser to identify the current provision and how it applies. Do not rely on an old penalty amount or general website summary.

Keep a usable decision record

Keep assessments, acceptance conditions, responsible contacts and supporting records together. Note what needs confirmation before changing the service or starting work.

Common question

Is a completed checklist a compliance certificate?

No. Use it to organise action and evidence. Adequate controls depend on the actual risks and circumstances.

Discuss your collection requirements

Contact Bundle Waste with the waste type, site and collection requirements. Keep specialist legal, environmental or safety assessment separate from the collection request.

Sources

Primary guidance checked 18 September 2026. Review due 18 October 2026, or sooner if requirements change.

EPA Victoria — General environmental duty. Who it applies to; What you must do.