Fees, charges and cost recovery
The Government expects us to set fees that recover a fair and reasonable proportion of the costs of providing our services.
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Here are our current application fees and charges. There's also information about how to pay.
Exclusive Economic Zone activities
Some of the work we do to implement the EEZ Act* is paid for by parties using these services. Actual and reasonable costs incurred through our functions such as assessing applications or compliance monitoring are recovered in line with the EEZ Act. Our EEZ Cost Recovery Policy outlines our approach to cost recovery for these functions.
View the EEZ Cost Recovery Policy (PDF, 412KB)
The hourly rates we charge are set out in the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2013.
Charge-out rates for EPA staff
Assessing applications
| Hourly rate ($NZ, excl. GST) | |
| Principal Technical Advisor | 290.00 |
| Project Leader | 140.80 |
| Senior Advisor | 116.12 |
| Advisor | 103.75 |
| Administrator | 97.43 |
Compliance monitoring
| Hourly rate ($NZ, excl. GST) | |
| Principal Technical Advisor | 232.00 |
| Project Leader | 112.64 |
| Senior Advisor | 92.90 |
| Advisor | 83.00 |
| Administrator | 77.94 |
Burials at sea
We don't have a set rate for issuing certificates of compliance for burials at sea. The cost will depend on how much time it takes us to consider your proposal. In general, we expect the cost to be about $200-300 NZD.
*The Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012
Hazardous substances applications
Talk to us before submitting an application so we can help determine which application type you should use, and what fees or costs would apply.
| NZ$ GST excluded | NZ$ GST included | |
| Application type | ||
| Section 26 determinations regarding a hazardous substance | 3,000 | 3,450 |
| Section 28 application for approval to import or manufacture hazardous substances, rapid assessment under section 28A(2)(a) or (2)(b) | Initial lodgement: 1,000 | 1,150 |
| Second payment: 3,000 | 3,450 | |
| Section 28 application for approval to import or manufacture hazardous substances, rapid assessment under section 28A(2)(c) |
Initial lodgement: 1,000 |
1,150 |
| Second payment: 2,000 | 2,300 | |
| Section 28, application for approval to import or manufacture hazardous substances, Category A | Initial lodgement: 1,000 | 1,150 |
| Second payment: 4,000 | 4,600 | |
| Section 28 application for approval to import or manufacture hazardous substances, Category B | Initial lodgement: 1,000 | 1,150 |
| Second payment: 9,000 | 10,350 | |
| Section 28 application for approval to import or manufacture hazardous substances, Category C | Initial lodgement: 1,000 | 1,150 |
| Second payment: 24,000 | 27,600 | |
| Section 31 application for hazardous substances containment approval | 1,500 | 1,725 |
| Section 51 application for approval for transhipment of hazardous substances | 2,000 | 2,300 |
| Section 62 request for grounds for reassessment of a hazardous substance | 1,000 | 1,150 |
| Section 63 request for reassessment of a hazardous substance (full reassessment) | 25,000 | 28,750 |
| Section 63A request for a modified reassessment of hazardous substance approval(s) | 10,000 | 11,500 |
| Section 67A request for administrative matter minor amendment | 1,000 | 1,150 |
| Section 67A request for any other minor or technical amendment | 2,000 | 2,300 |
| Section 96B application for a new group standard | 25,000 | 28,750 |
| Section 96B application to amend a group standard | 10,000 | 11,500 |
| Notified applications or requests, additional fee | 5,000 | 5,750 |
| Additional fee for specialist reports where the Environmental Protection Authority does not have expertise | Actual and reasonable cost | |
|
Import certificate for explosives and fireworks under the Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Notice 2015 |
500* | 575* |
| Import certificate for novelty fireworks under the Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Notice 2015 | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
This Schedule is issued under section 21(1) of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.
New organism applications
Talk to us before submitting an application so we can help determine which application type you should use, and what fees or costs would apply.
| NZ$ GST excluded | $NZ GST included | ||
| Application type | From 1 October 2018 | ||
| Section 26 determine whether an organism is a new organism | 1,200 | 1,380 | |
| Section 34 application for approval to import or release without controls for research or for biological control | 20,000 | 23,000 | |
| Section 34 application for approval to import or release without controls, not research or biological control | 25,000 | 28,750 | |
| Section 34 application, determined under section 38I release of qualifying organism (medicine or veterinary medicine) | 10,000 | 11,150 | |
| Section 40 application for containment approval for new organism, non-notified | 3,500 | 4,025 | |
| Section 40 application for containment approval for new organism, rapid assessment | 1,500 | 1,725 | |
| Section 47 release in an emergency | No Charge | No Charge | |
| Section 51 application for approval for transhipment of new organism | 4,000 | 4,600 | |
| Section 62 determine grounds for reassessment of an approval | 500 | 575 | |
| Section 62 reassessment of an approval | Negotiated | Negotiated | |
| Section 67A request for a minor or technical amendment to a new organism rapid assessment approval made under section 42A, section 42B or section 42C | 1,000 | 1,150 | |
| Section 67A request for a minor or technical amendment to a new organism approval other than an approval under section 42A, section 42B or section 42C | 2,000 | 2,300 | |
| Applications for genetically modified organisms not elsewhere provided | 25,000 | 28,750 | |
| Notified applications, additional fee | 5,000 | 5,750 | |
| Additional fee for specialist reports where the Environmental Protection Authority does not have expertise | Actual and reasonable cost | ||
| Holders of delegated authority (IBSC's) | |||
| Application for a delegation | 500 | 575 | |
| Amendment for a delegation | 100 | 115 | |
| Renewal of a delegation for the same scope and terms | 50 | 57.50 | |
| Renewal of a delegation with significant charges | 500 | 575 | |
| Audit of implementation of a delegation (maximum fee) | 4000 | 4600 | |
These Schedules are issued under section 21(1) of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.
Nationally Significant Proposals
We recover all actual and reasonable costs from the applicant when we administer proposals of national significance.
This includes any costs for providing secretarial and support services to a board of inquiry, and for making recommendations to the Minister for the Environment on applications.
We also recover costs for providing advice to potential applicants prior to a proposal being lodged with us, even if it is not subsequently lodged with the us.
To find out more about our policies, and about who and what is charged, you can read our factsheet and cost recovery policy.
Cost recovery policy for proposals of national significance (pdf 350KB)
Charge-out rates for EPA staff
| Hourly rate ($NZ, excl. GST) | |
| Project Administrator | 90.96 |
| EPA Advisor | 96.85 |
| EPA Senior Advisor | 108.43 |
| Project Leader | 131.43 |
How much will the Nationally Significant Proposal process cost? - factsheet (pdf 255KB)
Fast-track consenting
We recover all actual reasonable costs from an applicant or requiring authority under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act.
The Minister for the Environment has delegated to the EPA, his functions, powers and duties related to the recovery of costs, as set out in clause 14 of Schedule 5, to the Act.
| Staff position | Hourly charge (NZ$ excl. GST) |
| Administrator | 95.00 |
| Advisor | 115.00 |
| Senior advisor/Analyst | 140.00 |
| Team/Project Leader | 170.00 |
| Principal Advisor/Analyst and Manager | 200.00 |
Cost Recovery policy for COVID-19 Fast-track Consenting (pdf, 630 KB)
Miscellaneous fees and charges
Some of the work we do to implement the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Act 1988 is paid for by parties using these services:
| Activity | NZ$ (excl. GST) |
| Application to import asbestos-containing product | 650.00 |
| Additional assessment fee for applications to import asbestos-containing products | 116.00 (per hour) |
Payments
How to pay your fees and charges
Direct credit
Our bank account details are:
| Account name | Environmental Protection Authority |
| Bank | Westpac Banking Corporation |
| Branch | 318 Lambton Quay, Wellington New Zealand |
| Full account number | 03-0584-0197707-00 |
| Bank Number | 03 |
| Branch number | 0584 |
| Account number | 0197707-00 |
| Swift code | WPACNZ2W |
| Payee reference | include your application number |
Email your remittance advice to finance@epa.govt.nz, stating the amount of payment, customer name, application number and application type e.g. Explosives Import Certificate.
When to pay your fee or charges
Hourly charges
Where hourly charges apply, we will typically invoice you monthly. To get an estimate of expected charges, refer:
- EPA policy for recovering costs for Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012 functions (page 9)
- EPA policy for recovering costs for COVID-19 Recovery Fast-track Consenting applications (page 5)
Fixed application fees
We will invoice you once we confirm the type of application you have made, and determined how it will be processed. We cannot formally accept your application and begin processing it until payment has been received.
The principles we use to set our prices
Our fees and charges take into account the principles below, as set out in our charges and fees policy.
Authority
Charges and fees, and cost recovery, must comply with the authorising Act.
Transparency
The basis of a charge or fee is transparent, clear, predictable and easy to understand. The fees take into account actual costs.
Efficiency
Options for pricing have been considered in terms of what would be most efficient to charge, and will drive efficiencies in the provision of the EPA’s services. Fees take into account EPA’s commitment to efficiency and process improvements.
Effectiveness
Charges or fees align with, and are not a barrier to, other outcomes desired by government, for example, economic growth, innovation, and environmental protection. This may include considering the public and private benefits of applications, and whether application fees could discourage applications. Staff who are appropriate to the task to be undertaken are used.
Under the HSNO Act, there is recognition that, in some cases an approval can be used by both the applicant and others (for example, a HSNO Act hazardous substances approval).
Simplicity
The cost recovery regime is straightforward and understandable, costs of participation have been kept low, and there is certainty and predictability.
Equity
The charge or fee meets the test of fair and just. In general, it is more equitable to charge those who benefit directly or singularly from a service than to spread the cost.
A charge, fee, or charge-out rate applies equally to every person or applicant who may be charged for our work. There is a process for resolving disputes or objections to costs.
These principles are based on the cost recovery framework set out in:
- Charging fees for public sector goods and services (Controller and Auditor-General website)
- Guidelines for setting charges in the public sector (The Treasury website)
Related content
Cost Recovery Policy for EEZ applications
Information about how we recover EEZ costs
EEZ (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2013
Read the full regulations on the New Zealand Legislation website
Cost Recovery Policy for Nationally Significant Proposals
Find out about our cost recovery process for nationally significant proposals