Resources Victoria – Guidelines for Minor Variations

A minor variation refers to a change in any part of an approved work plan that does not significantly increase risk to:

• The environment
• The public
• Land
• Property
• Infrastructure

A minor variation enables an operator to implement small changes to a work plan without a full work plan variation, provided that specific eligibility criteria are met.

Minor variations replace administrative updates. The minor variation pathway is temporary until 1 July 2027. From July 2027, the general duty provisions of the MRSD Amendment Act will commence.

Criteria Comparison – Administrative updates and minor variations scope

Eligibility Criteria Check
Before preparing a minor variation, check if your variation meets the following criteria:

1. No planning permission needed: The proposed change must not trigger a new or amended planning permit under the Planning and Environment Act The Responsible Authority may provide secondary consent.
2. No increase in risk: The change must not increase the overall risk of harm of the work under the work plan. Residual risks should not escalate to high or to very high after controls are in place. Risks to the environment, the public, land, property or infrastructure must
   be considered.
3. No impact on crown land for minerals operations: The minor variation provisions do not apply to minerals operations if any part of the land relating to the proposed variation of the work plan is crown land.
4. Melbourne Strategic Assessment (Environment Mitigation Levy) Act 2020 (MSA): Land subject to the MSA Levy is not eligible for minor variations.

If all the above criteria is satisfied, the change is eligible to be a minor variation.

Note: If you are unsure whether your proposed change qualifies as a minor variation, engage early with Resources Victoria and seek advice on how to develop your application.

Lodging a Minor Variation
Once an operator, in consultation with Resources Victoria, has determined that a proposed change meets the minor variation eligibility criteria, the following procedure should be followed:

Prepare a notification package to be submitted to Resources Victoria Regulatory Operations. The minor variation notification should include:

• Cover letter clearly identifying the tenement number, site name, and operator contact details. This information can be compiled using the minor variation template (Appendix B or C)
• Description of the proposed change to the work plan, including how it is different from what is currently approved, and why the change is being proposed.
• Updated risk assessment focussed on any new risks or changes to risk levels due to the variation, these should demonstrate that there is no significant change in risk.
• Confirmation that no new planning permission is required, in writing from the responsible authority. This can be in the form of a letter, email or secondary consent approval.
• Confirmation from co-regulating agencies that the proposed change does not significantly increase the risk. You may choose to compile this information using the minor variation co-regulator contact template (Appendix D).
• Updated technical reports, plans or maps that describe the changing works or support assessment of risk.
• (If changes are proposed to the rehabilitation concept) An updated rehabilitation plan (Refer to Guideline: Preparation of Rehabilitation Plans). Resources Victoria can provide advice on the level of detail required depending on the nature and scale of the operation.

Note: Be specific. Reference the relevant sections or plans in your approved work plan that are proposed to be varied. The goal is to give Resources Victoria Regulatory Operations all the information required to assess whether the change meets the minor variation criteria.

Submit the minor variation via RRAM:

• Email Resources Victoria Regulatory Operations requesting a minor variation plan shell to be set up for your submission. Email your request to: [email protected]

Assessment Process
If you have a current work authority, you can make some operational changes without needing a full work plan variation; this can be done by undertaking a minor variation.

Minor variations are assessed and approved or refused by Resources Victoria. If the proposed operational changes do not meet the criteria for a minor variation, or if a decision cannot be reached within 28 days, a work plan variation is required.

More information
For more detailed information visit the Resources Victoria website
For a copy of the Guideline visit Resources Victoria website

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