National Air Technical Advisory Group

The National Air Quality Technical Advisory Group (NATAG) helps inform national air quality policy and programs.

NATAG provides technical advice to the:

NATAG supports the Air Project Management Group which comprises representatives from the Australian Government and each state and territory to deliver national outcomes for air quality.

NATAG Tasks

  • To provide technical advice on:
    • developing and implementing air quality standards
    • levels, sources and traits of current and emerging health issues related to air quality
    • strategies to meet and maintain air quality standards.
  • To provide advice in line with the National Clean Air Agreement (NCAA) and its Work Plan.
  • To develop consistent methods for national air quality policies and programs.
  • To help develop the air quality evidence base. Identifying knowledge gaps and recommending and informing research.
  • To consider recommendations from its sub-working groups.

Membership

Members come from state, territory and Australian governments.

The Chair and Secretariat are appointed for at least 1 year. The Chair must have experience relating to air quality and relevant regulatory frameworks.

NATAG member agencies:

  • NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (Chair)
  • ACT Health
  • Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
  • NT EPA
  • Queensland Department of Environment and Science
  • SA EPA
  • EPA Tasmania
  • Victoria EPA
  • WA Department of Environment Regulation

Priority work

NATAG delivers technical and scientific advice to support the National Clean Air Agreement (NCAA). Priority areas include:

  • non-road diesel engine emissions
  • air quality monitoring and methods
  • air emissions inventory
  • population exposure modelling and assessment
  • National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure compliance assessment and reporting.

Non-road diesel engine emissions

The Australian and NSW governments are assessing whether there should be a national approach to manage non-road diesel engine emissions. NATAG is supporting this evaluation.

Air quality monitoring and methods

NATAG is:

  • developing standardised procedures and practices
  • providing guidance on monitoring and assessing air quality and population exposure
  • addressing monitoring recommendations from the AAQ NEPM review for ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Air emissions inventory

NATAG is working towards consistent air emissions inventories across Australia. This will support air quality modelling and policy development. This was recommended in the AAQ NEPM review for O3, SO2 and NO2.

NATAG supports the joint proposal by Victoria and NSW. They are developing a National Air Emissions Inventory under the NCAA.

Population exposure modelling and assessment

NATAG helps improve population exposure and health impact assessments. They:

  • provide guidance on hot spot monitoring and assessments
  • deliver evidence to support a consistent approach to industrial design criteria
  • support consistent assessment and reporting under the AAQ NEPM

National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure compliance and reporting

NATAG will provide guidance for assessment and reporting. This helps the delivery of clear, consistent and timely reporting.

Further information