The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is responsible for regulating mines under the Mining Act 1992 and mine safety under the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013. This includes approving licences, regulating licence requirements, ensuring that mine rehabilitation works are undertaken, conducting work health and safety inspections, and responding to work health and safety complaints. The department oversees these functions in over 6,000 mines in a range of mining sectors. 

This audit will consider how effectively the department is conducting its licencing and regulatory functions in line with the Mining Act 1992 and the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013.