Requirements for security sensitive ammonium nitrate licences

Last updated: 04 March 2025

Common features of security sensitive ammonium nitrate licensing

Security sensitive ammonium nitrate (SSAN) licences address security matters only and have some common requirements to be fulfilled when applying for a licence.

Individual requirements unique to a security sensitive ammonium nitrate licence are addressed in the licence application document. The following links may be of use to those requiring licences associated with security sensitive ammonium nitrate.

Types of SSAN licences

  • SSAN manufacture licence
  • SSAN storage licence
  • SSAN fertilisers licence
  • SSAN transport licence
  • SSAN import/export licence
  • SSAN supply licence.

To find out about each licence type, visit the Security sensitive ammonium nitrate licensing page. 

Security clearance

SSAN licences are only issued to applicants in possession of a valid security clearance, which is a pre-condition of the licensing process. A licence held by an individual only remains valid while the security clearance of the individual is current.

Learn more about security clearance and dangerous goods security card

Accessing SSAN

People with unsupervised access to security sensitive ammonium nitrate require a security clearance (typically a dangerous goods security card). Additionally, the card holder also requires authorisation from the SSAN licence holder to have unsupervised access to the SSAN.

This establishes that the employee has an operational need and the competence to have unsupervised access to security sensitive ammonium nitrate and gives the person the legal status of a secure nominee.

The Meaning of ‘controlled by the other person’ for security purposes: Information sheet covers many of the licences with activities involving explosives and SSAN that require the possession of a valid dangerous goods security card.

Templates are available for authorisation of unsupervised and supervised access to SSAN.

A security clearance or authorisation as a secure nominee is required for any unsupervised activity associated with SSAN of any quantity.

Security plans

Applications for SSAN licences for manufacture, storage, transport and fertilisers require a security plan as a pre-condition for obtaining the licence.

The content of a security plan is prescribed in regulations 30, 31 and 50 of the Dangerous Goods Safety (Security Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate) Regulations 2007, which require licence holders to develop a written document including a security risk assessment and other prescribed elements.

Security plan templates have been developed to assist industry in meeting these requirements.

The licence holder and person representing the company as the responsible person for implementing the security plan are required to implement and comply with the security plan. The licence holder is required to have a responsible person with a security card at all times. 

Disclosure of offences

All applicants for a security sensitive ammonium nitrate licence must disclose details in their licence application of:

  • any relevant offence for which they have been convicted
  • any charge of a relevant offence that is pending.

A relevant offence is an offence against:

  • the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004, or any regulations made under the Act
  • a law of another place that substantially corresponds to the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 or the regulations made under it
  • the law of this State or another place and where an element of that law is the handling, storage or transport of explosives.

Print