Explosives
- Explosives Regulations
- Amendments to Explosives Regulations
- Suitable Person
- Explosives Licences
- Use of Explosives
- Transport of Explosives
- Storage of Explosives
- Sale of Explosives
- Manufacture of Explosives
- Importation of Explosives
- Replacement of Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Explosives Licence
- More Information on Explosives
In Victoria the manufacture, storage, sale, transport, use and import of explosives are governed by the Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2000. These regulations are administered by WorkSafe Victoria and provide for the safety of people in relation to the manufacture, storage, sale, transport, use, disposal and import of explosives including fireworks.
A key feature of the regulations is the incorporation of the Australian Explosives Code (AEC). The AEC provides an Australia-wide reference for uniform requirements in explosives packaging, marking and transport.
Copies of the Regulations are available to purchase from Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 or you can view them under the Victorian Statute Book at Victorian Law Today .
Amendments to Explosives Regulations
The Dangerous Goods (HCDG) Regulations 2005 makes amendments to the Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2000 with regards to the risk arising out of security concerns associated with explosives. These changes to the regulations come into effect on 1 October 2005.
The changes to the regulations incorporate requirements for applicants for licences to provide Proof of Identity and consent to the Authority obtaining sufficient information to determine if the applicant is a Suitable Person to hold an explosives licence under the regulations. Other changes to the regulations include requirements for Licence holders to provide a security plan and to review and revise the security plan as required.
Copies of the Dangerous Goods (HCDG) Regulations 2005 incorporating the changes to Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2000, are available to purchase from Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 or you can view them under the Victorian Statute Book at Victorian Law Today .
For people seeking authorisations or licences to use, sell transport, store and manufacture Explosives, WorkSafe Victoria has introduced Suitable Person requirements.
In Victoria you need a licence issued by WorkSafe Victoria before you can use, transport, store, sell, manufacture or import any explosive including Safety Cartridges and Fireworks (See Pyrotechnicians).
To apply for an Explosive licence the applicant must complete the Application Form (View all explosive forms) and submit it along with the required supporting documentation to the WorkSafe Victoria Licensing Branch. It is a requirement of the application for an Explosives Licence that you provide WorkSafe Victoria with Proof of Identity and consent to the Authority obtaining sufficient information to determine if the applicant is a Suitable Person to hold an explosives licence.
Jump to specific explosives licence types:
use | transport | storage | sale | manufacture | importation
Use of Explosives
Explosives examples:
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People who use blasting explosives must obtain a Licence to Use Blasting Explosives. People who wish to use fireworks can apply for a Licence for a pyrotechnician to Discharge Fireworks.
Demolition of a building or structure by explosives (or part of a building or structure) can only be undertaken by a person with a current licence to Use Blasting Explosives or someone working under their direct supervision. A person must notify WorkSafe Victoria of the intention to demolish a building or structure with explosives at least 21 calendar days before the intended date of demolition.
More information:
When applying for a Licence to Use Blasting Explosives you are required to list endorsements that you are requesting. The Authority endorses licences to specific types of blasting operations and shot-firing methods.
- General use endorsement permits blasting operations in surface works such as construction, road making and agricultural purposes. Methods of shot-firing allowable are Signal Tube Firing, Safety Fuse Firing, Detonating Cord and Relay Firing and Electric Firing by Exploder.
- Agricultural endorsement permits the use of blasting explosive on the applicants own property only. As of 1 October 2005, the Police will no longer issue Police Permits to Purchase Blasting Explosives. A person, who holds a valid Police Permit at 30 September 2005 or has held such a permit since 1 January 2000 and has not previously held a licence to use blasting explosives, may apply to be issued with a
Licence to Use Blasting Explosives with the Agricultural endorsement.
- Special effects endorsement permits the use of blasting explosives for special effects usually for film and television. This endorsement can only be obtained in conjunction with a general endorsement.
- Mines and quarries endorsements can only be issued by the Department of Primary industry (DPI) and the criteria for these endorsements are set by them. Applications should be made directly to them.
- Oil Well endorsement permits the use of explosives to perforate the casing of oil wells deep underground, either offshore or onshore. Methods of shot-firing allowable are Mains Firing and Pressure Firing. This endorsement requires assessment from an approved course specialising in the shot-firing methods relevant to Oil Wells.
- ANFO endorsement permits the manufacture of ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil mixture) in quantities up to 50kg. An ANFO endorsement will only be granted in conjunction with a general endorsement or agricultural endorsement. Applicants must have passed an approved training course that included an assessment in the manufacture of ANFO. The only exception to this is persons who have an agricultural endorsement who can obtain an ANFO endorsement with out attending the training course, but may only manufacture ANFO on their own property. You will also require a licence under the Dangerous Goods (HCDG) Regulations 2005 to purchase Ammonium Nitrate.
- Purchase endorsement allows the holder of the licence to purchase limited quantities of blasting explosives. The quantity of blasting explosive that can be purchased is specified on the licence. A person who holds an Oil Well endorsement only is not authorised to purchase blasting explosives.
To obtain a licence to Use Blasting Explosives an applicant must complete the Application for a Licence to Use Blasting Explosives form and submit it with the required information.
People who apply for a Licence to use Blasting Explosives must demonstrate to WorkSafe Victoria that they are competent to use blasting explosives. To do this an applicant may attend an Approved Training Course (see course providers) in the Use of Blasting Explosives and undertake an approved assessment. Alternatively if you hold an interstate or overseas issued Licence/Permit/Qualification then you will only need to undertake an approved assessment.
For more information:
Within the state of Victoria a person must not transport explosives on a road unless the person holds a valid licence for the transport of explosives using an approved vehicle, except
- persons with explosives licences for blasting, selling, pyrotechnicians and single occasion use of either Chinese firecrackers or theatrical fireworks, for the explosive types and in quantities not more than those listed in Table 602A of the Regulations, but only for the types of explosives specified in their licence; or
- persons, including commercial carriers, transporting explosives of the explosive types and in quantities not more than those listed in Table 602B of the Regulations.
The driver of a vehicle transporting explosives in quantities greater than those listed in Table 602A must hold a valid licence to drive a vehicle transporting explosives.
To transport explosives by rail a person is required to hold a licence to transport explosives by rail.
A person intending to transport explosives by boat in quantities greater than that those in Column 2 of Table 602A for the particular kind of explosives listed in Column 1 of the table must obtain the Authority?s written approval.
To obtain a licence to transport explosives by road the applicant must complete the Application for a Licence to Transport Explosives by Road form and submit it along with the required information. You are also required to complete a Self Assessment - Licence to Transport Explosives by Road for each vehicle to be licensed.
To obtain a licence to drive a vehicle transporting explosives the applicant must complete the Application for a Licence to Drive a Vehicle Transporting Explosives form and submit it along with the required information. You are also required to undertake an approved explosives vehicle driver training course with an Approved Training Provider and complete a Commercial Driver Health Assessment.
To obtain a licence to transport explosives by rail the applicant must complete the Application for a Licence to Transport Explosives by Rail form and submit it along with the required information to WorkSafe Victoria.
A person is prohibited from transporting most explosives through the CBD and City Link tunnels and is also restricted from transporting more than designated quantities and mixed groups through the Melbourne metropolitan area.
For more information:
- Licence to Transport Explosives by Road Advice
- Licence to Drive a Vehicle Transporting Explosives Advice
- Approval of Transport Routes for Explosives
- Approval of Explosive Transport by Boat
The Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2000 specifies the requirements for the storage of explosives (including ammunition and fireworks). These requirements vary depending on the type of explosives, its hazard division, quantity involved and its intended use. Firearms dealers licensed under the Firearms Act 1996 do not require an additional licence to store cartridge ammunition. There are three storage categories: storage of explosives in a magazine, storage of explosives in medium scale storage facility and storage of explosives in small quantities.
Small scale storage applies to the storage of small quantities of explosives. This applies to quantities of explosives in secure storage, away from flammable and combustible materials, other explosives of different compatibility groups and sources of ignition. No storage licence is necessary for this type of storage. Maximum quantities for small scale storage are shown in Table 403, Column 2 of the Regulations.
A licence is required for medium scale storage which is usually for commercial or industrial purposes. Maximum quantities for medium scale storage are shown in Table 403, Column 3 of the Regulations. To obtain a licence to store explosives on a medium scale the applicant must complete the Application for a Licence to Store Explosives in a Medium Scale Storage Facility form and submit it along with the required information to the Authority.
Storage of quantities of explosives greater than that shown in Column 3 of Table 403 of the Regulations must be in a magazine which is licensed for the storage of those explosives. To obtain a licence to store explosives in a magazine the applicant must complete the Application for a Licence to Store Explosives in a Magazine form and submit it along with the required information to the Authority.
Holders of a licence to manufacture explosives at a factory are permitted to store explosives on the factory premises and do not require a separate licence.
Licensed Pyrotechnicians are allowed to store fireworks for a period of not more than 14 days prior to displays.
For more information:
Explosives may only be sold by persons who hold a licence to sell explosives. However, a licence to sell is not required for the sale of general use fireworks (sparklers, party poppers, etc). Firearms dealers licensed under the Firearms Act 1996 do not require an additional licence to sell cartridge ammunition.
The sale of blasting explosives is restricted to persons who are licensed to sell, use or store blasting explosives or are otherwise authorised to purchase the blasting explosives.
The sale of display fireworks, Chinese firecrackers or theatrical fireworks is restricted so that the only persons who may purchase these fireworks are persons who hold a pyrotechnician?s licence, a licence to sell the fireworks, or are otherwise authorised to purchase the fireworks.
The Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2000 specifies that a person selling explosives must hold a licence to sell explosives. To obtain a licence to sell explosives, the applicant must complete the Application for a Licence to Sell Explosives form and submit it along with the required information to the Authority.
More information:
The Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2000 specifies the requirements for the manufacture of explosives in Victoria. There are four main areas of manufacture: manufacture of explosives in a factory, manufacture of explosives with a mobile manufacturing unit, manufacture of an explosive mixture at or near the place of use, and the filling and capping of safety cartridges other than at a factory. You must obtain a licence before you can undertake explosive manufacture.
- Application for a Licence to Manufacture Explosives at a Factory
- Application for a Licence to Manufacture Explosives with a Mobile Manufacturing Unit
- Application for a Licence to Make an Explosive Mixture at or Near the Place of Use
- Application for a Licence to Fill or Cap Safety Cartridges Other than at a Factory
More information:
- Licence to Manufacture Explosives at a Factory Advice
- Licence to Manufacture Explosives with a Mobile Manufacturing Unit Advice
- Licence to Make an Explosive Mixture at or Near the Place of Use Advice
- Licence to Fill or Cap Safety Cartridges Other than at a Factory Advice
A licence is required before you can import explosives into Victoria from outside Australia. An application for a licence to import explosives must be made to the authority before the explosives arrive in Victoria. To apply for a licence to import explosives the applicant must complete an Application for a Licence to Import Explosives form and submit it with the required information at least 7 days before the proposed importation.
Only berths that have been approved by the Authority can be used for ships carrying explosives of greater amounts than the quantities of types listed in Table 1102 of the Regulations.
More information:
- Licence to Import Explosives Advice
- Approval of Explosives Berth, Notification of Construction of Protected Works, and Compatibility Group L Explosives Handling Advice
Replacement of a Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Explosives Licence
If your explosive licence is Lost, stolen or destroyed you may obtain a replacement Licence by completing an Application for Replacement of a Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Explosives Licence form and submitting it with the required information.
More Information
For general enquiries regarding the regulations or requirements on explosives licences should be directed to the WorkSafe Victoria Advisory Service on 1800 136 089 or info@workcover.vic.gov.au
Submit your completed application forms and all supporting documentation to:
WorkSafe Victoria Licensing Branch
GPO Box 4293
Melbourne Vic. 3001
Telephone: 1300 852 562
Fax: 1800 060 727
Email: licensing@wo
