Performance summary
Key highlights and changes for the percentage of applications finalised within target timelines for the March to June 2024 quarters include:
- petroleum tenure increased from 76 to 100 per cent;
- programmes of work decreased from 51 to 24 per cent; and
- petroleum environmental plans decreased from 69 to 49 per cent.
The average total timeline is the time taken in the assessment process by DEMIRS, the proponent and where applicable, other government agencies. Other agency input may be required for complex applications, particularly if access is required to culturally important or environmentally sensitive areas.
The DEMIRS performance objective is to finalise 80 per cent of applications within the target timeline. Departmental performance is measured against a range of administrative and statutory targets. For example, the DEMIRS target for finalising a mineral exploration programme of work application is 15 business days (BD). The “speedo” dashboard graphics used in this report represent performance against each approval type for the quarter.
The segment titled parallel processing shows the number of overlap days when an application was on hold for both the proponent and another agency.
Most mineral and petroleum tenure applications are subject to the requirements of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993. These applications include a four-month notification period (around 80 business days) prescribed under S29 of this Act. This period is included as part of the “other agencies” component for mineral and petroleum tenure applications.
The average total timeline to finalise an exploration licence application is 297 business days (approx. 14 months). This consists of DEMIRS processing time (39 days), proponent time (19 days) and other agencies (225 days). There were 14 days of parallel processing. Ninety five per cent of exploration licence applications were finalised within the target for DEMIRS processing time of 65 business days. Native Title Act 1993 requirements represent the majority of this timeline (approx. 10 months).
This report provides detailed information about the number of received, finalised and open applications.
