This proposal has 2 options to establish an Environment Protection Agency (EPA) that would both have effect from 1 July 2024 and would be ongoing.

Option 1
This option would establish an EPA with a mixed fee funding model which includes Government funding and revenue from non-Government sources.

The EPA would include:

• Component 1 costs to establish an EPA as an independent statutory authority and the associated on-going operational costs for the agency. This includes 5-yearly operational costs including staffing, administration, effective data use, information and education services, appropriate and timely assessment and determination under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) 1999, engaging in efficient and effective compliance operations – including general monitoring and targeted investigations, and encouraging higher performance.
• Component 2 appropriate funds for strategic litigation functions for the EPA.
• Component 3 an alternative governance model with a statutory Board appointed by the Minister subject to legislative criteria on required skills and qualifications, which will appoint the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Option 2
All components as per option 1, however under this option the funding model is based on activities being fully funded by Government.