Info: This page covers fees, charges, and cost-recovery for applicants. We also have information for agencies involved in the Fast-track.

Cost recovery for agencies

The upfront cost of making a Fast-track application

As part of the application process, you will receive an invoice for a levy and the application fee. The levy and application fee help to recover the cost of the process.

The levy is a fixed fee for each type of application. The levy helps cover costs of the Fast-track regime that aren’t specific to an application. This includes the cost of setting up the regime as well as certain operational expenses not covered by the application fee.

The application fee depends on the kind of application. The application fee is paid upfront and works as a deposit towards the costs of the application that you will need to cover. It is used to cover the actual and reasonable costs incurred by the Environmental Protection Authority (the EPA) and other administering agencies, local councils, and expert panels in processing your application. It is also used to cover any contribution fee paid to Māori consultation groups in relation to your application.

Contributions – Fast-track Approvals (Cost Recovery) Regulations 2025 – New Zealand Legislation

These costs often exceed the application fee you pay up front. If this happens, you’ll need to pay additional application fees. If the costs don’t use up the application fee, the EPA will repay you the unused balance.

You must pay your levy and application fee before we consider your application lodged. You will receive a tax invoice for the total amount in the table plus GST.

Levy
(exc. GST)

Application fee
(exc. GST)

Total
(exc. GST)

Referral application

$6,700

$12,000

$18,700

Land exchange application

$13,400

$36,000

$49,400

Substantive application

$140,000

$250,000

$390,000

Cost recovery and agencies

The Fast-track team acts as a one-stop shop. We receive information about costs from all relevant agencies and pass them on to you in a consolidated invoice. The agencies include:

More detail: Organisations involved in the Fast-track

Each agency sets rates for the work it carries out as part of the Fast-track process. The hourly rates for work by the EPA are below.

Resource type

Hourly rate (excluding GST)

Surge resources

$450.00

Team Lead/Principal Advisor

$319.00

Application Lead

$266.00

Advisor

$192.00

Administrator

$152.00

Monthly statement and any further application costs

The Fast-track team will send you a statement at least monthly, showing the costs deducted from your application fee for processing your application. We are required to recover all actual and reasonable costs.

Each statement will show which agency has done work you are being charged for. We will do our best to present an up-to-date view of costs. Costs may appear in a following invoice if we receive delayed information from other parties.

Your statement will show the remaining balance of your application fee. If we expect costs will exceed the fees you have paid, we will either:

Please refer to our policy for Fast-track fees and levies for more information.

Policy for Fast-track applications – fees and levies (PDF, 159KB)

Applications may be suspended for unpaid fees

Substantive applications may be suspended if the initial application fee is used up and you do not make the requested further payments. You will be informed if your application has been suspended.

The EPA may direct suspension in processing substantive application – Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 – New Zealand Legislation website

Cost disputes

If you wish to dispute costs that you have been invoiced for, you must notify us within 15 working days of receiving the invoice or statement. Please contact the Fast-track team to discuss any disputes.

Cost recovery for work before an application is lodged

Before you submit an application through the Fast-track process, you must meet the consultation and notification requirements outlined in the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. You may also seek assistance from administering agencies and local councils in preparing your application.

Any pre-application costs are not included as part of the application fee or levy. You should agree these costs in advance with these parties, and you must pay them directly, not through the EPA. Invoices for those costs are expected to be paid by the due date.

Policy for Fast-track fees and levies

The policy for Fast-track fees and levies provides more detail about how the EPA will recover costs. It describes:

Policy for Fast-track applications – fees and levies (PDF, 159KB)