The obligation
Maximum penalties for key POEO Act offences significantly increased; Tier 2 offences doubled; daily penalties for continuing offences doubled or newly introduced.
The Act increases maximum penalties across multiple tiers of the POEO Act. Tier 1 (most serious) offences now attract up to $8M (corporations) and $2M (individuals). Asbestos and pollution incident notification offences carry up to $4M (corporations) / $1M (individuals). Tier 2 offences — including non-compliance with clean-up notices, licence breaches, and pollution of land, water, and air — have been doubled.
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- What
- Maximum penalties for key POEO Act offences significantly increased; Tier 2 offences doubled; daily penalties for continuing offences doubled or newly introduced.
- Source
- epa.nsw.gov.au
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penalties
POEO Act
environmental offences
NSW EPA
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epa.nsw.gov.au
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Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
Increased Maximum Penalties for Environmental Offences is a WHS requirement set out in Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Stronger Regulation and Penalties) Act 2024 (NSW). It is made under Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW). The relevant provision is NSW > Environment > POEO Act > Penalties § Multiple — POEO Act ss 143, 144AA, 144AAA; Radiation Act s 24.
What does this WHS obligation require?
Increased Maximum Penalties for Environmental Offences is a WHS obligation under Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Stronger Regulation and Penalties) Act 2024 (NSW). In short, Maximum penalties for key POEO Act offences significantly increased; Tier 2 offences doubled; daily penalties for continuing offences doubled or newly introduced.
What changed recently?
Increased Maximum Penalties for Environmental Offences was last updated on 3 September 2026.
