Queensland (QLD): exploration work program and expenditure rules
Queensland has no flat dollar minimum. Each exploration permit carries an approved work program as a condition, and the holder must carry it out to the extent reasonable in the circumstances. The dollar figures in the program are estimates; compliance is judged on the activities or outcomes, with any variance explained in the annual report.
Checked against the regulator's guidance and the legislation on 25 September 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, and your licence conditions take priority, so confirm with the regulator before relying on a figure.
- Titles
- Exploration Permit – Minerals (EPM) and Exploration Permit – Coal (EPC)
- Regulator
- Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development
- Legislation
- Mineral Resources Act 1989 and Mineral Resources Regulation 2025
How the work program obligation works
- You propose a work program when you apply, and it becomes a condition of the permit. It can be activities-based (the activities for the term, plus estimated resources) or outcomes-based (the outcomes, a strategy and the data to be collected).
- The program includes estimated spend for each year, but these are estimates, not a fixed minimum. They can change within the term depending on exploration success.
- An activities-based program is assessed against the activities proposed for the term. An outcomes-based program is assessed on the data provided and how far the outcomes were achieved, rather than strict activities or spend.
- EPMs currently pay no rent (1 September 2023 to 31 August 2028). EPC rent is charged per sub-block and is separate from exploration spend.
Reporting and deadlines
| Report | Due | Lodged via |
|---|---|---|
| Annual activity report | Within 1 month after each anniversary of the permit's start, unless a longer period is approved | GSQ Lodgement Portal |
| Expenditure statement (work-program and non-work-program spend itemised separately, with reasons for any variance) | At the same time as the activity report | MyMinesOnline |
| Partial relinquishment report | Within 2 months after an area reduction takes effect | GSQ Lodgement Portal |
| Final report, with an expenditure statement for the whole term | Within 2 months after the permit ends | GSQ Lodgement Portal and MyMinesOnline |
What counts as expenditure
- Spend on the activities in the approved work program
- Spend on other activities, reported separately as non-work-program spend. This can include operational and administrative expenses, provided the work is described in the report.
Exemptions and variations
- You can apply through MyMinesOnline to vary the work program on only two grounds: an exceptional event (beyond your control and not reasonably preventable; a takeover bid doesn't count), or circumstances arising from being part of an approved exploration project.
- Variations must look forward. Retrospective applications aren't accepted, so apply as soon as the problem arises, not after the year closes.
- An exceptional event can also support a one-off extension of up to 3 years to the last renewed term.
What happens if you fall short
- Breaching the work program condition is a ground for the Minister to cancel the permit or impose a penalty of up to 500 penalty units, after a show-cause notice.
- Renewal requires that all conditions were complied with, so a missed program also puts the renewal at risk.
- The Minister can also direct the holder to fix the breach or draw on the security deposit.
Term, renewal and relinquishment
- An exploration permit's first term is up to 5 years. Renewals are up to 5 years each, to a maximum of 15 years in total.
- The area must be reduced by 50% by year 5, and by 50% of the remainder by year 10, in whole sub-blocks. You nominate the sub-blocks in the 3 months before the due date, or the Minister may decide them.
- A renewal can be lodged any time in the 6 months before the current term expires.
Recent changes
- The Mineral Resources Regulation 2025 replaced the 2013 Regulation on 1 September 2025. Older guidance still cites the 2013 section numbers.
- The department took its current name in November 2024. Older guidance may call it the Department of Resources.
Sources
Tracking this across several tenements
Tenement Track keeps each tenement's commitment, spend to date and anniversary date in one register, so a shortfall shows up while there's still time to act on it.