Recent News
FIRE PROTECTION INDUSTRY (ODS & SGG) BOARD
STAKEHOLDER FORUM WEBINARS 2018
29 MARCH 2018
The Fire Protection Industry (ODS &
SGG) Board (the Board) is conducting number of
webinars, bringing together gaseous fire suppression system experts
to provide an overview of the licensing system, current and future
directions for scheduled gases. There will be an opportunity for
attendees to ask questions.
Please sign up to attend
INFORMATION SESSIONS- HFC PHASE-DOWN AND OTHER
CHANGES TO THE OZONE PROTECTION AND SYNTHETIC GREENHOUSE GAS
PROGRAM
28 MARCH 2018
The Department of the Environment and Energy is running a series
of information sessions around Australia in 2018. These sessions
will discuss what the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phase-down will mean
for HFC users including equipment owners and technicians, and other
changes to the program to reduce emissions and increase efficiency.
There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and
questions.
Please sign up to attend
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY HFC PHASE
DOWN INFORMATION SESSIONS
22 February 2018
As part of a national phase down in hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)
importation that began on 1 January 2018, the Department of the
Environment and Energy is running a series of information sessions
to explain how the initiative will impact HFC users.
The phase down will gradually reduce the amount of HFCs
permitted to be imported into Australia. The reduction will impact
users of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, fire
suppression, foam blowing, aerosols and medical applications.
The information sessions will be run around the country,
starting in Tasmania, and will discuss what the phase down means
for HFC users, and other changes to the Ozone Protection and
Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Program to reduce emissions and increase
efficiency.
Registration is now open for the Tasmanian
events:
Launceston 21 March 2018
Hobart 22 March 2018
New application forms:
2 January 2018
New applications forms for Extinguishing
Agent Handling Licence (EAHL), Extinguishing Agent Trading
Authorisation (EATA) and Halon Special Permit
(HSP).
The Fire Protection Industry Board (FPIB) has updated the new
applications forms for EAHL, EATA and HSP approved by the
Department of Environment and Energy. While the Board will
endeavour to forward information and a reminder to you prior to
your licence expiring, it remains your responsibility to ensure you
have a valid EAHL, EATA and HSP at all times to continue to work
legally in the fire industry.
The FPIB grants three key types of EAHL licences. To apply for
EAHL, download a copy of the application form:
To apply for an EATA, an application form must be completed.
Download a copy of the application form:
To apply for a HSP, an application form must be completed.
Download a copy of the application form:
Reducing regulatory burden:
22 December 2017
Changes to the licence scheme in 2018
In 2016, a review of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic
Greenhouse Gas Management Program - including the fire protection
industry licence scheme - was completed by the Australian
Government Department of the Environment and Energy.
The review followed extensive consultation with fire protection
industry stakeholders through public consultation and targeted
consultation with industry representatives.
Outcomes of the review identified a number of measures to be
implemented. Specifically, two measures that relate to the fire
protection industry permit scheme are listed below:
1.Three (3) year extinguishing agent handling licences (EAHL),
extinguishing agent trading authorisation (EATA) and halon special
permit (HSP)
- From 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 a new option for a
three (3) year EAHL, EATA & HSP will be available - along with
the standard permit durations (transition period). The following
table outlines the permit durations available during 2018:
|
Permit type
|
Available permit duration in
2018
|
|
1 year
|
2 years
|
3 years
|
|
EATA
|
|
✓
|
✓
|
|
HSP
|
✓
|
✓
|
✓
|
|
Qualified EAHL
|
|
✓
|
✓
|
|
Experienced EAHL
|
✓
|
✓
|
✓
|
|
Trainee EAHL
|
✓
|
|
|
- From 1 January 2019 onwards, the default duration for all
permits (except for trainee EAHL) will be three (3) years.
- Trainee EAHLs will continue to be for a maximum of 1 year in
duration.
If, after the transition period, applicants have genuine
concerns or a legitimate reason to seek a different permit duration
there will be scope for deviating from the default period of three
years for full permit holders or one year for trainee permit
holders.
2. Update to EAHL, EATA & HSP re-application process
From 1 Jan 2018 the process for re-applying for your EAHL or
EATA will be streamlined, becoming a 'renewal' process, compared to
a re-application. The renewal option will be available for EAHL,
HSP or EATA holders renewing greater than 30 days prior to their
permit expiring.
Changes to the fire protection industry permit scheme will
reduce the administrative cost of the Regulations on business by
reducing the length of time a business or individual needs to spend
gathering information together and applying for a permit.
Annual indexation to application fees for Fire Protection
permits
22 December 2017
Under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic
Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995, Regulation 346 provides
for the annual indexation of permit application fees.
The annual indexation formula uses the Wage Price Index (WPI)
figures published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Consistent with the WPI figures released in November 2017, Fire
Protection permit application fees will increase by 2.006 per cent
from 1 January 2018.
A table outlining the current permit fees as well as the permit
fees and new permit durations for 2018 is provided below.
|
EATA and EAHL durations and fees for
2018
|
|
Fire Protection Industry Permit
|
Year (s)
|
2017 Application Fees
|
2018 Application Fees
|
|
Extinguishing agent handling licence Qualified
(EAHL-Q)
|
2
|
$274
|
$280
|
|
3
|
N/A
|
$420
|
|
Extinguishing agent handling licence Experienced
(EAHL- Exp)
|
1
|
$137
|
$140
|
|
2
|
N/A
|
$280
|
|
3
|
N/A
|
$420
|
|
Trainee extinguishing agent handling licence (EAHL-T)
|
1
|
$137
|
$140
|
|
Extinguishing agent trading authorisation (EATA)
|
2
|
$461
|
$470
|
|
3
|
N/A
|
$705
|
|
Halon special permit (HSP)
|
1
|
$274
|
$280
|
|
2
|
N/A
|
$560
|
|
3
|
N/A
|
$840
|