Performance summary
Key highlights and changes for the percentage of applications finalised within target timelines for the
July to September 2024 quarters include:
- petroleum tenure performance was between 88 and 97 per cent;
- programmes of work increased from 24 to 65 per cent; and
- petroleum environmental plans decreased from 49 to 33 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 where 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.
To further explain the above, refer to the Exploration Licence section (page 4). The average total timeline
to finalise an Exploration Licence application is 340 business days (approx. 17 months). This consists of
DEMIRS processing time (38 days), proponent time (38 days) and other agencies (246 days). There were
18 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. 12 months).
This report provides detailed information about the number of received, finalised and open applications.
