The South Australian Government has a long-standing “one window to Government” approach, particularly within the energy and resources sectors. Under this model, the licensing agency, such as the Department for Energy and Mining (DEM), acts as the central point of coordination, while still respecting the authority of other regulators and legislation. All agency requirements are brought together through the Statement of Environmental Objectives (SEO), a project-specific document that outlines the various legislative obligations that must be satisfied. Relevant agencies are consulted in the development of the SEO, and their input is integrated, noting this document does not override any legislative requirements.

It is recognised that not all agencies involved in project approvals have deep expertise in oil and gas, which can lead to an overstatement or misinterpretation of risks. In South Australia’s one window model, the lead technical regulator plays a key role in bridging this gap. They engage directly with agencies behind the scenes to ensure conditions are appropriate and risk-informed. While the proponent is still required to obtain the relevant licences through the respective agencies, the lead agency supports the development of that licence by advising on what conditions are technically relevant. This process ensures the industry receives a single, coordinated response, improving regulatory clarity and reducing the burden of conflicting or overly conservative requirements.

The one window to government approach and use of an SEO enables a consistent, coordinated response to proponents, helping to reduce duplication and resolve potential misalignment across agencies. Its strength lies in facilitating shared government objectives and a common understanding of risk, supported by technically competent, industry-focused regulators. This behind-the-scenes coordination ensures that conditions imposed by individual agencies remain relevant and proportionate. This model has demonstrably delivered effective and efficient regulation and clarity and certainty to licensees of their regulatory obligations. This model has also been advocated in two major Productivity Commission Reports into Regulatory Burden on the Upstream Petroleum Industry 2009 and Resources Sector Regulation 2020.