What is security sensitive ammonium nitrate (SSAN)?
SSAN is any substance that contains more than 45% ammonium nitrate.
The only exceptions are:
- when it is already categorised as an explosive or
- it is in a water based mixture containing two or more components and the components do not form separate layers when the product is left standing.
When is this licence required?
Any person who manufactures a security sensitive ammonium nitrate, such as ammonium nitrate, emulsion or gel, must hold a security sensitive ammonium nitrate manufacture licence.
The manufacturing must be undertaken at a fixed plant with access to associated storage facilities if required.
The security sensitive ammonium nitrate manufacture licence is issued for five years.
Manufacture licences are site specific and only allow the manufacture of the security sensitive ammonium nitrate described on the licence.
The licence may allow for storage of manufactured product within the plant perimeter, with excess product stored in complying magazines located away from the plant.
The manufacture of a security sensitive ammonium nitrate at a State explosives facility (SEF) requires the applicant to negotiate the lease of a site(s).
When is a manufacture licence not required?
A person is authorised to manufacture a security sensitive ammonium nitrate without holding a security sensitive ammonium nitrate manufacture licence if he or she:
- holds an explosives manufacture (MPU) licence
- is a secure employee of the holder of a licence that authorises the holder to possess the security sensitive ammonium nitrate in the circumstances
- manufactures the security sensitive ammonium nitrate while being supervised by the holder of a security sensitive ammonium nitrate manufacture licence
- controls and manages a commercial laboratory or is employed in such a laboratory, and
- manufactures the security sensitive ammonium nitrate for analytical or research purposes that do not involve the manufacture of an illegal product
- there is not more than three kilograms of any security sensitive ammonium nitrate in the laboratory
- is employed by an educational institution or government organisation, or is a student at an educational institution, and
- manufactures the security sensitive ammonium nitrate at the institution or organisation for analytical, educational or research purposes that do not involve the manufacture of an illegal product
- there is not more than 3 kg of any security sensitive ammonium nitrate at each laboratory.
Who can apply?
Licences can be granted to an individual, body corporate or partnership.
Individuals must be at least 21 years of age.
Use of an accredited consultant
To develop the submission, it is recommended that those intending to apply for a licence engage a dangerous goods consultant accredited to prepare and submit security sensitive ammonium nitrate applications. The consultant will normally complete the application form on the applicant’s behalf, but the intended licensee must sign the application.
Applications submitted without accredited consultant endorsement may take up to three months to process and a checking fee applies. Deficient submissions will take longer to process.
Refer to What is the role of accredited dangerous goods consultants? for a list of consultants.
Required supporting information
The completed application must be signed by the intended licensee and lodged with the following supporting information:
- security plan
- security clearance
- Details of any conviction and/or charge pending relating to a relevant offence
- Proof of identity - certified documents showing the name of the entity
Failure to provide the required documentation will delay processing of applications. Most applications are dealt with within approximately 30 business days.
The following information may assist in obtaining the required supporting information.
Security plan
A security plan is a pre-condition for obtaining a licence. The content of a security plan is prescribed in 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.
To assist in developing your security plan, a template has been developed and copies are available from the Department website.
Use of this template is not mandatory; however, the security plan should sufficiently address the national Ammonium Nitrate Guidance Note No. 2, Storage.
See What is required for security sensitive ammonium nitrate licences? for more information on security plans and security clearances.
Failure to provide the required documentation will delay processing of applications. Most applications are dealt with within 20 business days.
See What is required for security sensitive ammonium nitrate licences? for more information on security plans and security clearances.
Security clearance
Security sensitive ammonium nitrate licences are only issued to applicants in possession of a valid security clearance, which is a pre-condition of the licensing process.
For more information on security clearances refer to Security clearances
Relevant offence
Applicants must disclose details of any “relevant offence” for which they have been convicted, or have charges pending. A relevant offence is an offence against:
- the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 (Act), or any regulations made under the Act
- a law of another place that substantially corresponds to the Act or the regulations made under it.
Proof of identity
Licences can be issued to an individual, body corporate, partnership or trust.
For more information on proof of identity go to How do I prove my identity?
Application fees
Only the licence fee for the first year of the licence is to be lodged with the application. Licence fees for subsequent years will be billed annually.
A checking fees applies for new applications without accredited consultant endorsement.
Checking fees are equal to the licence fee payable with the application.
For information regarding application fees please see Schedule of fees and charges.
Lodging the application
The completed and signed application form must be accompanied by:
- required information
- the fee
- this can be paid by credit card (details on application form)
- by cheque made payable to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
- cash payments can only be made when lodging in person.
Emailed to: cso@dmirs.wa.gov.au
Mailed to:
Dangerous Goods Licensing
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Locked Bag 100
East Perth WA 6892
Lodged in person:
303 Sevenoaks Street (entrance via Grose Avenue)
Cannington WA 6107
Related information
Notification of changes of details
The Chief Dangerous Goods Officer must be notified within 14 days of any material changes to the details on a licence or registration.
Reporting an incident
Security sensitive ammonium nitrate manufacture licence holders have a responsibility to report incidents and accidents arising from their activities, including unexplained losses or theft of the security sensitive ammonium nitrate.
Other guidance
Guidance on the safe and secure storage of ammonium nitrate is available below.
Applicable legislation
Contact details
For any enquiries please contact Dangerous Goods Licensing:
Phone: (08) 6251 2300
Email: cso@dmirs.wa.gov.au