Safe transport of dangerous goods

Last updated: 05 March 2025

Licensing requirements

In general, there are exemptions for the storage and transport of small quantities of some low-risk dangerous goods commonly used within the community for personal purposes, while the storage and transport of large quantities and higher-risk dangerous goods require licensing.

The Licensing requirements for the storage and transport of dangerous goods in WA: Information sheet covers guidance material and legislative references provide details of quantity limits, exemptions and other requirements. It is recommended that this information is reviewed when assessing whether a licence is required.

Driver training

You will need a dangerous goods driver's licence to transport bulk dangerous goods. One of the requirements for this licence is to have completed a TLILIC0001 Preparation to transport dangerous goods by road with a registered training organisation.

Learn about the role of approved training providers for dangerous goods transport.

Companies can use the Verification of dangerous goods driving procedures - driver interview: Template to evaluate the background experience of your drivers and addresses six main areas of dangerous goods transport activity.

Guidance for drivers and companies

Drivers

Companies

Guidance about placardable units

A placard load refers to a vehicle carrying over a certain amount of dangerous goods (other than explosives, infectious and radioactive substances) that is required to display placards (i.e. Class label or Emergency Information Panel) during transport.

The following guidance relates to the transport of dangerous goods in placardable units, such as:

  • road tank vehicles
  • intermediate bulk containers (IBCs)
  • isotainers
  • multi-element gas containers (MEGCS).

Road transport in receptacles of more than 500 L or kg: Guide 
This guide assists those transporting packaged dangerous goods by road in receptacles (e.g. packages, cylinders) with a capacity of 500 litres or more or net mass of 500 kilograms or more (i.e. 500 L or kg).

Refer to Dangerous goods safety codes of practice for a list of relevant codes of practice.

Learn more about Placard load for dangerous goods and explosives transport

Guidance about packages

The following guidance relates to the transport of dangerous goods in packages, such as:

  • 200 litre drums
  • gas cylinders.

Refer to Dangerous goods safety codes of practice for a list of relevant codes of practice.

For information relating to the safe transport of retail amounts of dangerous goods, refer to Transporting retail dangerous goods

Other resources and guidance

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has developed a load restraint guide. It provides information on the key safety principles that should be followed for the safe transport of dangerous goods on roads.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts promotes best practice and harmonised legislation for the land transport of dangerous goods in Australia.

LP gas safety

Emergency response

Those transporting placard loads must have arrangements in place for emergency responders. Learn more about the Role of emergency responders to dangerous goods transport emergencies

Report an incident involving dangerous goods and explosives

Reporting dangerous goods incidents is important as it assists in the prevention of incidents through raising awareness of accident trends and publicising the learnings from investigations. Reporting can also help prevent the escalation of unsafe conditions if hazards and risks involved in the incident are recognised and addressed. Any dangerous goods incident where people, property or the environment are harmed must be reported.

Find out what needs to be reported and how to report them.

Applicable legislation

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