Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner Scheme
The REAP Scheme provides environmental assessment quality assurance for State significant projects.
Implementing the REAP Scheme
Starting from 1 July 2022, environmental impact statements (EIS) attached to State significant development and State significant infrastructure applications will need to be reviewed by a Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner (REAP).
A transitional period has been established between 1 July 2022 and 31 December 2022, where EISs can be submitted without a REAP declaration if Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) were last notified before 1 July 2022. After 31 December 2022, all EISs, regardless of when the SEARs were last notified, must include a declaration by a REAP.
What is a REAP?
A REAP is a qualified and skilled environmental assessment practitioner who has been certified under an accredited REAP scheme.
There are two professional schemes that are currently identified as accredited Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner Schemes. These are administered by:
- Certified Environmental Practitioner Scheme (CEnvP)
- Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)
The REAP scheme is part of the Rapid Assessment Framework, a suite of system improvements designed to increase the efficiency and quality of major project assessments.
REAPs will help projects move more efficiently through the system by ensuring that EISs are prepared to a high standard and include all the information necessary for the department to assess each project.
REAP declaration requirements
REAPs will be 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
If you are interested in becoming certified, contact an accredited REAP scheme provider now:
Additional information
For more information, including commencement dates and transitional arrangements, please refer to the planning circular (PS 21-005) and frequently asked questions.
Organisations that are considering seeking accreditation of a professional scheme should email the project team at [email protected] to discuss future opportunities.