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Development and Assessment

Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner Scheme

The REAP Scheme provides environmental assessment quality assurance for State significant projects.

In NSW, all environmental impact statements (EIS) attached to state significant development and state significant infrastructure applications need to be reviewed by a Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner (REAP).

The REAP scheme has had a strong take-up of certification, with over 150 REAPs certified, and more currently undertaking certification.

Department staff are also undertaking or have completed REAP certification, building internal capacity and expertise.

View our step-by-step video on lodging an EIS with a REAP declaration.

What is a REAP?

A REAP is a qualified and skilled environmental assessment practitioner who has been certified under an accredited REAP scheme.

REAPs help state significant projects move more efficiently through the system by ensuring that EISs are prepared to a high standard and include all the information needed for the department to assess each project.

REAP declaration requirements

REAPs are required to make a declaration that an EIS submitted with a state significant project meets certain standards in relation to compliance, completeness, accuracy and legibility.

The declaration requirements are set out in the EP&A Regulation and the Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner Guidelines.

The guidelines also provide information on the overall REAP Scheme, the role of REAPs in the EIS process, the accreditation framework and the criteria for REAP schemes and REAPs.

Learn how to lodge a REAP declaration and EIS by following the step-by-step instructions in this video.

Becoming a REAP

There are two organisations offering Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner Schemes that are accredited to certify REAPs. These are administered by:

If you are interested in becoming certified, contact an accredited REAP scheme provider. 

First review of the REAP scheme 

The department has completed an initial review of the REAP scheme. The review involved consultation with 85 REAPs and interviews with the scheme providers. 

The review found that the scheme’s management and governance arrangements appear to be working effectively. The eligibility criteria for REAPs was appropriate. 

The review found opportunities for improvement, including streamlining the certification process, offering more continuing professional development for REAPs, supporting a REAP community of practice and reporting on overall EIS quality over time. 

The department will work to improve the scheme in collaboration with the two accredited scheme providers. 

The next review is due to take place in mid-2026. 

Additonal Information

For more information, including commencement dates and transitional arrangements, please refer to the planning circular (PS 21-005) and frequently asked questions.