Australia’s National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Scheme is set for another significant update from 1 July 2026, with the Australian Government, acting through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), now seeking feedback on a broad package of proposed amendments.
These proposed changes could have direct practical implications for how organisations measure, report, and manage emissions, particularly for facilities covered by the Safeguard Mechanism. Just as importantly, this is a rare opportunity for affected organisations to shape the final rules before they are locked in.
At Trinity Consultants, we see this consultation as a critical moment for NGER reporters to step back, understand what is changing, and ask: How will this affect us in practice?
What’s Changing
The proposed amendments focus on improving accuracy, consistency, and alignment with evolving industry practices and emissions science. Key themes include:
Clarifications to coal mine fugitive emissions reporting
- Clearer definitions for gassy and non‑gassy underground mines based on volume-based ventilation methane content.
- Improved clarity in how emissions from coal mine waste gas flaring are calculated.
- Updated requirements to apply the current Australian gas desorption testing standard when estimating emissions using mine‑specific models (Method 2).
Refinements to oil and gas fugitive emissions reporting
- Improved and expanded approaches for estimating and reporting flaring and fugitive emissions across oil and gas exploration, extraction, and transmission activities.
- Update definitions to exclude hydrogen in emissions from natural gas distribution.
- Additional reporting information required for certain oil and gas activities, including mud degassing.
Updates to waste and wastewater emissions reporting
- Improved approaches for estimating methane from landfills, including better alignment with current waste practices.
- Updates to allow zero‑emissions reporting for certain wastewater systems and revised emission factors.
Expanded recognition of renewable fuels
- Adding co‑processed liquid fuels (co-processed diesel, aviation kerosene and liquified petroleum gas i.e. LPG) and bioLPG as new reportable renewable fuel types.
- A ‘certificate-backed’ approach to reporting consumption of and emissions from co-processed liquid fuels.
- Recognising Product Guarantee of Origin (PGO) certificates for co-processed liquid fuels, registered under the GO scheme, as eligible co-processed liquid fuel certificates.
In addition, DCCEEW invites stakeholders to provide information on relevant published or in-progress scientific research in the review of Method 2 for estimating fugitive emissions from open-cut coal extraction.
The consultation is open until 8 May 2026, and feedback received will directly influence the final form of the amendments. Trinity Consultants can support you. We work closely with NGER reporters across sectors including mining and industrial sectors to:
- Identify which proposed changes are most relevant to your business.
- Assess reporting and compliance implications.
- Draft or review consultation submissions that clearly communicate your position.
Send your questions via our contact form for a complimentary assessment on how we can support you. We are available to discuss how these changes may affect you and how we can help ensure your voice is heard.