Legislation and Regulation


State or Territory Government
 Applicable legislation for geothermal exploration
 Description
South Australia
 Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000
 Regulates licensing and activity approvals for upstream petroleum, geothermal, gas storage and petroleum pipeline projects. An 'over the counter' system, where explorers can apply for those areas desired. Licences co-exist with existing mineral and petroleum exploration titles.
Victoria
 Geothermal Energy Resources Act 2005
 Regulates large-scale commercial and sustainable exploration and extraction of geothermal energy resources.
New South Wales
 Mining Act 1992
 Governs geothermal exploration, which is considered as Group 8 - Geothermal Substances. Application for a Group 8 geothermal exploration licence requires the Ministers consent.
Queensland
 Geothermal Exploration Act 2004
 Applies a competitive permit system to encourage and facilitate efficient and responsible exploration.
Tasmania
 Mineral Resources Development Act 1995
 Geothermal tenements are granted as a Category 6 mineral 'Special Exploration Licence' (SEL). An 'over the counter' system, where explorers can apply for those areas wanted for exploration. Licences can co-exist with existing or future minerals and petroleum exploration titles.
Western Australia
 Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967
 Provides legislative coverage for the exploration and recovery of both conventional (hydrothermal) geothermal energy and EGS (hot dry rock) geothermal energy. Does not cover non-commercial uses or heat pumps.
Northern Territory
 Geothermal Energy Act 2009
 Provides for 'over the counter' application for geothermal authorities over most of the territory. Intent is to reserve a relativley small region around Katherine area for later tendered release.