Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

About PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of human-made (also known as synthetic) chemicals used to make products that are resistant to heat, stains, grease, and water. They can provide resistance to other chemicals or to abrasion and can act as dispersion, wetting or surface-treatment agents.

There are many different types of PFAS, including:

• perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)
• perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS).

In Australia, PFAS have been used in the past in a variety of industrial processes and in commercial and consumer products. PFOS, PFOA and related compounds were imported mainly for use as:

• mist suppressants in the metal plating industry
• hydraulic fluid in the aviation industry
• surface treatments in the photography industry
• fire-fighting foams.

Some imported articles such as textiles may have been treated with PFAS.

Our regulation of PFAS

We regulate the introduction (manufacture and importation) of PFAS associated with industrial use in Australia. This includes those that may break down to form perfluorinated substances such as PFOS and PFOA.

We also work together with prescribed bodies and other government agencies who are also responsible for regulating the use of chemicals across different industries and consumer products.

Regulatory compliance

Anyone who introduces (imports or manufactures) PFAS in Australia must comply with legal obligations under the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 (IC Act). Before they can lawfully introduce these chemicals into Australia, they must:

• register their business with us

• categorise their chemical importation or manufacture (introduction)

• comply with obligations and requirements associated with each introduction category

• keep records, which the introducer must provide if we request them.

When applying for a certificate, you may also need to include additional information if your application is for a 'specified class of introduction', such as designated fluorinated chemicals.

International governance

We also enforce import and export controls on PFOS, PFOA and related chemicals listed under the Rotterdam Convention. These controls prohibit the introduction or export of these chemicals unless an importer or exporter obtains our approval. The regulation of the use, release and disposal of PFAS in Australia is mostly a state and territory responsibility.

We contribute to other international activities on PFAS through:

• the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee

• the OECD Global Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFC) Group

Our work on PFAS

We evaluate the risks associated with the introduction and use of industrial chemicals in Australia, including PFAS.

Risk assessments and recommendations

Between 2002 and 2008, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) published alerts on the identified risks of PFAS, including recommendations to manage these risks. 

Between 2013 and 2019, we assessed the risks of a number of PFAS. This was part of our program of work to prioritise and accelerate the assessment of chemicals listed on our Inventory. These assessments focused on PFOS and PFOA and their direct and indirect precursors, which are other chemicals that break down in the environment to form PFOS and PFOA.  

We also assessed the risks of related chemicals including shorter chain PFAS that may be used as replacements for PFOS and PFOA.  

These assessments include risks to both human health and the environment, with details on:  

• exposure and hazard information 

• risk management recommendations. 

See the following table for links to these assessments or you can find them on the Inventory by searching for the chemical’s name or CAS number.

Past PFAS assessments