New South Wales Government
NSW Rural Fire Service

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      • Environmental Assessment of Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Works
      • Methods of Hazard Reduction
      • Hazard Reduction Certificates
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1. Home
2. For The Community
3. Bush Fire Hazards
4. Bush Fire Hazard Reduction
5. Hazard Reduction Certificates

Hazard Reduction Certificates

A Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate is the environmental approval for bush fire hazard reduction work only.

RFS Fire Control Centres can provide advice on the environmental approvals required for hazard reduction and provide free environmental assessments for private landholders doing hazard reduction in bushfire prone areas.

You must have this certificate if the bush fire hazard reduction:

• is done in native vegetation
• could threaten endangered species
• could result in air or water pollution, or soil erosion.

You will need a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate to conduct a burn if you live in bushfire prone land, as defined in Bush Fire Prone Area maps prepared by your local Council. Your council or local RFS Fire Control Centre can tell you if your property is on bushfire prone land.

A Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. It may contain conditions that you must abide by, such as:

• retaining certain trees
• removing vegetation to protect historic relics
• warning neighbours of smoke
• treating machinery to prevent weeds spreading.

Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificates are not required for agricultural activities such as stubble burning, burning sugar cane, burning diseased crops, orchard pruning and grazing.

The certificate cannot be used in cases where an area is particularly environmentally sensitive, such as a rainforest or wetland. A more detailed environmental assessment may then be required. Your local RFS will be able to tell you if this is the case. If a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate is issued no other form of environmental approval is required.

Your local RFS Fire Control Centre can issue a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate or provide advice on where to get another environmental approval. Your application should be processed within seven days unless further information or negotiation is required.

• Find your local Fire Control Centre

The RFS has several publications available to help you plan and undertake a burn, and to remain safe while doing so:

• Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate Application Form
• Application Instructions for a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate
• Before You Light That Fire
• Guidelines for Pile Burning
• Guidelines for Low Intensity Hazard Reduction Burning
• Guidelines for Asset Protection Zones
• These are available in PDF format from our Publications Area 

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