Apply, renew or amend a waste discharge licence

If you're involved in activities where waste will come into contact with water, you must get a waste discharge licence (WDL).

This includes work related to:

• sewage or wastewater treatment
• mining
• dredged material (spoil) disposal.

WDLs regulate the quality and quantity of waste discharged to water in the Northern Territory (NT).

The Controller of Water Resources can issue a WDL under the Water Act 1992.

Once a licence is issued, it is published in the licences and approvals register. To view the register, go to the NT Environment Protection Authority website.

Read below to find out more about how to apply.

How long it takes

It can take up to 3 months for your application to be processed.

This will vary based on the information you give and how complex your proposed activity is.

How to apply

To apply, follows these steps:

Step 1. Read the waste discharge licensing guidelines.

Waste discharge licensing guidelines PDF (394.6 KB)
Waste discharge licensing guidelines  DOCX (707.6 KB)

Step 2. Fill in the relevant application.

Waste discharge licence application PDF (819.1 KB)
Waste discharge licence application DOCX (83.9 KB)

Renew a waste discharge licence application PDF (706.1 KB)
Renew a waste discharge licence application DOCX (78.4 KB)

Amend a waste discharge licence application PDF (657.3 KB)
Amend a waste discharge licence application DOCX (75.7 KB)

Transfer of a waste discharge licence notification PDF (154.8 KB)
Transfer of a waste discharge licence notification DOCX (64.1 KB)

Surrender of a waste discharge licence notification PDF (691.7 KB)
Surrender of a waste discharge licence notification DOCX (64.6 KB)

Step 3. Attach your supporting documents.

Step 4. Submit your completed form to waste@nt.gov.au.

Contact

Email waste@nt.gov.au or call 08 8924 4218.