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
- Route selection, vehicle stopping and bulk transfer: Guide
This guide assists prime contractors and drivers of vehicles transporting dangerous goods on Western Australian roads to comply with the relevant safety requirements regarding restricted routes, route selection, vehicle stopping and parking. - Safety equipment for road vehicles transporting dangerous goods: Guide
This guide assists vehicle owners, prime contractors and drivers transporting dangerous goods on Western Australian roads to meet their obligations regarding the provision of safety equipment.
Companies
- Documenting a transport emergency response plan: Template
Under Regulation 180 of the Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007, a prime contractor is required to have emergency plans in place. - Dangerous goods transport hazard overview: Template
This overview highlights the potential issues associated with the transport of dangerous goods in a variety of packaging modes. Primarily, the template is a prompting mechanism for operators to use in evaluating their control of transport hazards. - Dangerous goods transport document: Template
This template is a consignment note for the transportation of dangerous goods. - Dangerous goods safety matters: Self-audit guide for prime contractors
Prime contractors have multiple responsibilities to ensure that dangerous goods are transported safely. This self-audit tool is a good starting point to evaluate your transport system.
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.
- Road transport in receptacles of 500 L or kg or less: Guide
This guide assists those transporting packaged dangerous goods by road in receptacles (e.g. packages, cylinders) with a capacity of 500 litres or less or net mass of 500 kilograms or less (i.e. 500 L or kg). - Design approval requirements for bulk containers used to transport solid dangerous goods: Information sheet
This information sheet explains the requirements in the Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007 (Transport Regulations) for the design approvals of bulk containers.
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
- Dangerous goods safety regulation of LP Gas transport: Poster
This poster illustrates how the regulations apply to transporting LP Gas. - Principles of LP Gas safety - 1 and 2: Poster
This poster Illustrates principles of container design and the installation of tanks for the storage of LP Gas. - Principles of LP Gas safety - 3 and 4: Poster
This poster illustrates principles of risk control measures and emergency planning measures for the transport and storage of LP Gas. - Principles of LP Gas safety - 5 and 6: Poster
This poster illustrates principles of references for storage, handling and transport activities of LP Gas. - Separate and ventilate: Picking up some LP gas for your barbeque?: Poster
Safety tips for transporting small cylinders of LP gas for your barbecue.
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
- Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004
- The Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-Explosives) Regulations 2007 adopt the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG) and are aligned with the associated National Model Regulations.
- Transport of mineral concentrates of UN 3077 - Environmentally hazardous substance, solid: Information sheet
This information sheet overviews how the determination and exemptions apply in Western Australia for the transport of UN 3077 mineral concentrates, the Chief Dangerous Goods Officer has issued.