Product Overview

Summary: This Dangerous Goods Licensing Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, end‑to‑end process for obtaining, maintaining, and renewing dangerous goods licences across Australian jurisdictions. It helps businesses manage compliance, reduce regulatory risk, and ensure that dangerous goods are stored, handled, and transported under the correct authorisations at all times.

Dangerous goods licensing in Australia is complex, with requirements varying between states and territories, and across different classes and quantities of dangerous goods. Failing to hold the correct licences for storage, handling, transport or use can expose a business to serious safety incidents, regulatory enforcement, and significant financial penalties. This Dangerous Goods Licensing Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, practical framework for managing all aspects of licensing, from initial assessment of dangerous goods on site through to application, renewal, recordkeeping, and dealing with regulatory audits.

The SOP translates legislative and regulatory requirements into clear, step‑by‑step actions that can be followed by operational and administrative staff. It sets out how to identify which dangerous goods licences are required, how to gather and verify supporting documentation, and how to coordinate with regulators, insurers, and key stakeholders. It also embeds WHS considerations by linking licensing requirements with onsite risk controls, training, and emergency planning. By implementing this SOP, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, maintain up‑to‑date licences, and provide assurance to management, workers, and regulators that dangerous goods are being managed safely and lawfully across Australian operations.

Key Benefits

• Ensure your organisation holds the correct and current dangerous goods licences for all relevant activities and locations.
• Reduce the risk of regulatory breaches, improvement notices, prohibition orders, and prosecution related to dangerous goods management.
• Streamline the licensing lifecycle, from initial assessment and application through to renewal, amendment, and cancellation.
• Improve coordination between WHS, operations, and compliance teams by clarifying roles, responsibilities, and approval pathways.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients, and insurers through consistent documentation and recordkeeping of licensing activities.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Compliance Managers
• Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors
• Operations Managers
• Logistics and Transport Managers
• Warehouse and Distribution Centre Managers
• Chemical Storage Facility Managers
• Fleet Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Small Business Owners handling hazardous chemicals

Hazards Addressed

• Unlicensed storage of flammable liquids, gases, and explosives
• Uncontrolled handling and transport of toxic, corrosive, or oxidising substances
• Inadequate risk controls due to missing or incorrect dangerous goods authorisations
• Increased likelihood of fires, explosions, chemical releases, and environmental contamination
• Regulatory enforcement actions arising from non-compliant dangerous goods operations

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Regulatory Context
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Identification of Dangerous Goods and Licensing Requirements
• 5.0 Licence Types and Jurisdictional Differences
• 6.0 Pre‑Application Checks and Required Documentation
• 7.0 Dangerous Goods Licence Application Process
• 8.0 Licence Conditions, Limitations and Ongoing Compliance
• 9.0 Monitoring Licence Expiry, Renewal and Amendments
• 10.0 Recordkeeping, Registers and Document Control
• 11.0 Integration with WHS Risk Management and Emergency Planning
• 12.0 Training and Competency Requirements
• 13.0 Managing Regulatory Inspections, Audits and Non‑Conformances
• 14.0 Change Management (New Products, Processes or Sites)
• 15.0 Review, Continuous Improvement and Version Control

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (Safe Work Australia) – Hazardous Chemicals and Dangerous Goods provisions (as adopted by states and territories)
• Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (ADG Code)
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state/territory WHS Acts)
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
• AS/NZS 1596: The storage and handling of LP Gas
• Safe Work Australia – Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals Code of Practice
• Relevant state and territory Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) legislation and regulations