---
title: "Review an SEE or EIS against the consent authority's assessment framework"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/review-an-environmental-impact-statement-or-equivalent-effects-statement/australia"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A12-T1-R6-AU"
practice_area: "Planning & Environment"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["AU"]
last_reviewed: "2026-09-23"
---

# Review an SEE or EIS against the consent authority's assessment framework

> Check the SEE or EIS against the assessment framework and the specialist reports on the file, and list missing content and impacts that still need an expert.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/review-an-environmental-impact-statement-or-equivalent-effects-statement/australia  
Last reviewed: 2026-09-23

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Planning & Environment](https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | Check the SEE or EIS against the assessment framework and the specialist reports on the file, and list missing content and impacts that still need an expert. |
| What the lawyer must review | Get site-specific ecological, hydrological, heritage and acoustic impacts from specialists Note NSW EIS from 21 March 2026: 'likely significant' impacts only; feasible alternatives not required Apply that change under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Planning System Reforms) Act 2025 (NSW) Check EPBC steps against the Environment Protection Reform Act 2025 (Cth) timetable Note the timetable: Tranche 1 20 February 2026; NEPA 1 July 2026; the rest by 1 December 2026 Check the Environment Protection Act 2017 (Vic) and Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) are current |
| Written for | Australia |
| Applies to | [Review an environmental-impact statement or equivalent effects statement](https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/review-an-environmental-impact-statement-or-equivalent-effects-statement.md) |

## Checking plan

**Lawyer-led judgement**

The lawyer makes the substantive assessment. Any permitted AI assistance remains supporting work with its own checks.

- What the AI does: Potential support includes organising research leads and preparing preliminary structure or wording. Confirm the tool’s capability and permitted scope.
- What the lawyer does: Set the scope, verify the evidence, resolve exceptions and approve the final output for its intended use.
- Who reviews: Responsible lawyer with competence in the matter
- Basis: Suggested checking approach based on the task guidance. Complete the assessment for the actual tool, information and jurisdiction.
- Why: The plan reflects the described work and review requirements. Policy colours are not used to determine permission or checking.
- Restriction: The lawyer makes the substantive assessment. Any permitted AI assistance remains supporting work with its own checks.

## Checks the lawyer makes

1. Calculate operative dates independently from the current rule and actual triggering event. Check exceptions and record the verified deadline.
2. Check the specialist’s assumptions, qualifications and limits. Obtain the relevant expert or specialist review before relying on a technical conclusion.
3. Verify the applicable jurisdiction and the version of each relevant law, rule or instrument in force at the material time.
4. Confirm the output against the client’s instructions and the complete relevant source material, including omissions or contradictions.
5. Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.

## Notes

- Confirm the required checking with the responsible lawyer before work starts. The checking approach does not establish permission to use AI.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*