We are the state’s work health and safety regulator for mines and petroleum sites.
This includes open-cut and underground mines, petroleum sites, quarries and extractive operations, tourist mines, opal and other small scale mines and mining exploration activities. We also undertake compliance and enforcement activities in relation to the Mining Act 1992, with a key focus on mine rehabilitation. We were established on 1 July 2016 as a standalone regulator.
What we do
Our role includes:
- receiving and considering complaints, alleged breaches of the Mining Act and safety incident notifications
- providing information and guidance about safety and other regulatory obligations to protect and support industry, workers, the community and the state
- conducting probity and compliance checks on applicants for grant/renewal/transfer title applications
- conducting inspections and investigations
- assessing licensing, registration applications and grants applications for occupational licences (practising certificates and certificates of competence)
- regulating exploration activities including issuing activity approvals and ensuring compliance with title conditions and codes of practice
- taking enforcement action such as issuing prohibition and other statutory notices and taking prosecution action
- providing advice to the appropriate development consent authority regarding the appropriateness of rehabilitation strategies included in development applications, including advice on conditioning
- supporting and administering the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council and NSW Mining and Petroleum Competence Board, and
- administering the mine and petroleum site safety fund (mine safety levy).
Our direction and priority areas are outlined in the NSW Resources Regulator Strategic Plan 2021 - 2024 (PDF, 1.8 MB).
Organisational structure
Our organisation chart (PDF, 93.18 KB) shows how the NSW Resources Regulator is structured.
Legislation administered
The obligations that are governed by the Resources Regulator include:
- relevant legislation that confers the right to operate, being the Mining Act 1992 or the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991[1] and associated Regulations
- work health and safety obligations contained in the following Acts (and associated Regulations):
- Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- Mining Act 1992
- Explosives Act 2003
- Radiation Control Act 1990
[1] The EPA is the lead regulator for all onshore petroleum exploration and production activities and is responsible for all compliance and enforcement activities under the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991, with the exception of work health and safety.