Apply for a new petroleum permit

How permits are allocated

Petroleum permits are allocated through different processes depending on the type applied for.

• Open market competitive process for most new prospecting and exploration permits.
• Block Offer tender process for exploration permits when a tender round is opened.
• Direct application for mining permits, permits with subsequent rights and speculative prospecting permits. 

Open market competitive process

Block Offer exploration permit tender process

How to apply

You can apply for a petroleum permit:

• via our online permitting system
  Online permitting system
• by completing and emailing an APP 01-PET application form
  APP 01–PET Application for a Petroleum Permit [PDF 355KB]

What your application must include

Application requirements are set out in the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Regulations 2007.

All applications must include

• A completed APP 01-PET application form.
• A map of the proposed area that clearly identifies where the proposed permit activity will take place.
• A description or statement of the geology of the proposed permit area.
• A proposed work programme that defines the activities to be undertaken and demonstrates the applicant’s ability to deliver them in line with the Act, the permit purpose, and good industry practice.
• A statement of the technical qualifications and financial resources/capabilities of the applicant. 
• A signed APP 10 Application Authority form for each nominated permit participant who is not the person signing this application form (if relevant).
• Any supplementary information that could not be included in the relevant section of the application form due to space limitation.

Extra information needed for each permit type

Depending on the type of permit you are applying for, you must also include the following information.

Petroleum prospecting permit applications

• The results of any previous prospecting and exploration work in relation to the permit area.
• The play or plays to be addressed in the permit and a description of the critical risks associated with them that demonstrates your understanding of the petroleum system. 

Petroleum exploration permit applications

• A document that sets out the geographic co-ordinates of the turning points used to construct the permit area map (even if that data is included in the map provided above).
• A summary of the petroleum potential of the permit area.
• A summary of the results of any previous prospecting and exploration work in relation to the permit area.
• Compliance history that discloses any relevant non-compliance or issues with previous permits or licences, and demonstrates the applicant’s ability to meet permit obligations and deliver the proposed work programme.
• Health, safety, and environmental capability that demonstrates the nominated permit operator’s understanding of regulatory requirements and risks, and their ability to implement appropriate systems, processes, and qualified personnel to manage them.

Petroleum mining permit applications

Petroleum mining permit applications must also include a report setting out the reserves and proposed work programme for the development of the field.

This report must include:

• an executive summary
• a summary of permit history, including exploration and appraisal results
• a statement of the geology of the permit area
• analysis, interpretation, or evaluation of the geophysical, geological and petrophysical information of the permit area
• reservoir engineering data
• reserves information
• a proposed field development plan
• the proposed points of valuation for royalties. 

For detailed guidance on how to complete your application and the supporting information required, see: 

Supporting information guide for the APP 01-PET petroleum permit application form [PDF 1.7MB]

Application fees

Application fees differ depending on the type of permit you are applying for. 

Make sure your application includes the application fee or evidence of payment.

Petroleum permit fees, royalties and the Energy Resources Levy requirements

Requesting application fee refunds

Application fees are generally non-refundable, including if:

• you withdraw your application
• we do not accept your application for assessment
• we decline your application.

You may request a refund of an application fee. We will only consider refunds in exceptional circumstances, and only when those circumstances justify a refund.

Learn more about refunds, including what we generally consider, or not consider, to be exceptional circumstances on the Requesting an application fee refund webpage.

Requesting a permit application fee refund

After you apply

We will contact you to confirm your application has been received.

If your application does not include all the required information, it is incomplete and it will not be accepted for processing.

When your application is considered complete and valid it will enter our queue and await allocation for assessment.