If you are an Australian citizen, organisation or expeditioner that wishes to conduct scientific, management or recreational and other non-government activities in the Antarctic or sub-Antarctic you will need to be aware of and comply with all national and state legislative requirements.
The information contained within this section is provided as general guidance only on the environmental protection requirements under Australian law. You will still need to ensure that you are aware of all other legal requirements and that these have been satisfied before you depart for the Antarctic or sub-Antarctic. It should be noted that some research activities could require up to five different permits in order to satisfy all environmental requirements.
For tourist and non-government operators, the application form includes a section which relates to safety and contingency planning for tourist and non-government operators (Section E). The collection of this information is in accordance with Resolution 4 (2004) and while providing the information to the Australian Antarctic Division is non-mandatory, it is considered best practice. The AAD has also published Guidelines for Safety and Contingency Planning to assist Non-Government Operators, which are available below.
Please ensure you read all the relevant information prior to submitting the application form.
Download your forms
- Environmental approvals application form PDF
- Environmental approvals application form Word
- Report of activities form Word
- Guidelines for Safety and Contingency Planning for Non-Government Operators PDF
- Advance notification form (tourist and non-government vessels) Word
Current versions of Australian legislation and legislative instruments are available from the Federal Register of Legislation.
Applications should be submitted a minimum of two months prior to departure for Antarctica (Note: for large and complex proposals that require a higher level of assessment, a minimum of five months is required).
Requests for variation should be submitted a minimum of one month prior to the change in activity.