Benchmark participants must lodge an Annual Greenhouse Gas Benchmark Statement (Benchmark Statement) with the Compliance Regulator by 18 March each year (or a later date approved by the Compliance Regulator) reporting on their compliance during the previous calendar year. This compliance statement reports the benchmark participant’s:

• calculation of their emission reduction benchmark
• performance against that benchmark and liability, if any, to pay a penalty for non-compliance (greenhouse shortfall), and
• liability, if any, to pay a greenhouse shortfall carried forward from a previous year.

What is audited?

Benchmark statements must be audited prior to submission to the Compliance Regulator (generally in January or February each year). The Compliance Regulator has developed a generic scope for these audits.

Who selects and engages the auditor?

Benchmark participants select and engage members from the Audit and Technical Services Panel (the Panel) to undertake these audits against the Compliance Rule. The Compliance Regulator approves the appointment.

The firms currently approved to undertake audits of benchmark statements are:

Contact information is provided on the Audit Panel Members section of this site.

What is the process for engaging an auditor?

Once the Benchmark participant has selected an auditor, the Panel member must provide a detailed scope of work containing information on the audit procedures to be carried out on the Benchmark Statement to the Compliance Regulator. Benchmark participants must also complete a deed poll for the Panel member to submit to the Compliance Regulator with the detailed scope of work. The Compliance Regulator may request variations to the scope of work to be undertaken by the Panel member within 14 days of receipt of the scope of work. The audit cannot start until the Compliance Regulator approves the Panel member to commence work.  

What tools are available for auditors?

Detailed guidance on conducting audits of Benchmark Statements is contained in the Audit Guideline. An audit checklist has also been provided to assist auditors in carrying out the steps required to complete audits of Benchmark Statements.

Auditors are required to prepare a report detailing the audit opinion and related findings in relation to the matters detailed in the audit scope. An audit report template and a schedule of audit procedures and findings is available to assist auditors.

Back to top