When is this licence required?
A shotfiring licence is required to blast rock or similar solid material, or to damage, destroy any thing on or under land or water.
Licence holders are able to:
- Purchase
- Store (limited quantities)
- Possess and transport (limited to Category 2 quantities) explosives
They are also able to manufacture ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO), at the place where it will be used, without holding an explosives manufacturing licence.
The shotfiring licence does not allow the holder to use or possess fireworks, theatrical or special pyrotechnics.
When is this licence not required?
Holders of shotfiring licences issued in other States and Territories of Australia do not need a Western Australian licence. Interstate licences are recognised under the Western Australian regulations. There is no requirement to apply for mutual recognition of these licences to work in Western Australia as a shotfirer.
For further information on interstate shotfirers licence, refer to Mutual Recognition section.
Who can apply?
The applicant must:
- be at least 18 years of age
- have applied for, or hold a Western Australian dangerous goods security card, or hold a recognised security clearance
- pass a medical assessment against the standards in Assessing Fitness to Drive – Medical Standards for Commercial and Private Vehicle Drivers 2016, not more than six months before the day the application is lodged
- pass a training course with an approved training provider
- pass the relevant offence requirements
Applications can only be made online through the Safety Regulation System (SRS). Refer to Lodging the application for more information.
Required supporting information
Applications for a shotfirer must be accompanied by specific information. Before completing your application ensure you have high quality colour images of the following documents.
If you have recently submitted an application for a different licence type and items provided with that application are still valid, they are prepopulated by SRS for subsequent applications. This may mean you do not have to obtain a new medical certificate etc.
The payment of fees must be by Visa or MasterCard.
| Item | Document details | Date before lodgement date |
|---|---|---|
| Competency training |
Statement of Attainment. |
Not more than six months |
| Medical certificate | Assessed against the standards in Assessing Fitness to Drive – Medical Standards for Commercial and Private Vehicle Drivers 2016 | Not more than six months |
| Photograph |
Passport quality photo The passport photograph must be a JPEG file |
Not more than six months |
| Relevant offence | Documents detailing any conviction and/or charge pending relating to a relevant offence | N/A |
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.
Medical fitness
Assessing Fitness to Drive - Medical Standards for Commercial and Private Vehicle Drivers is available from Austroads.
Shotfirer training
This information sheet outlines the training requirements for obtaining or renewing a shotfiring licence in Western Australia.
The information sheet lists only those training course providers that are accredited to deliver national units of competency for blasting (RIIBLA).
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
- any law of another place that substantially corresponds to the Act or the regulations made under it.
Security clearances
Applicants must hold or have applied for a Western Australian dangerous goods security card, or hold a recognised security clearance before they can apply for an explosives driver licence.
The table below details interstate legislation where a licence or permit issued under that legislation may be recognised as a security clearance in WA.
| State or Territory | Legislation |
| New South Wales | Explosives Regulations 2013 |
| Queensland | Explosives Act 1999 |
| South Australia | Explosives (Security Sensitive Substances) Regulations 2006 |
| Tasmania | Security-Sensitive Dangerous Substances Act 2005 |
| Victoria | Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2011 |
| Northern Territory | None applicable |
| Australian Capital Territory | Dangerous Substances (Explosives) Regulations 2004 Dangerous Substances (General) Regulation 2004 |
Visit Security clearances for further information
Mutual recognition
Holders of dangerous goods driver licences issued in other States and Territories of Australia are deemed to be so licensed in Western Australia (WA). There is no requirement to apply for mutual recognition of your interstate licence.
However, you are not prevented from applying for mutual recognition if you wish to obtain a WA licence.
This does not apply for holders of New Zealand shotfirer licences who must apply for mutual recognition of their licences.
For information on mutual recognition refer to Applying for mutual recognition.
Application fees
The licence fee payable covers the 5-year period of the licence.
MasterCard and Visa are accepted forms of payment and the fee is payable online through the departmental submissions portal.
Go to Schedule of fees and charges for more information on licence fees.
Upgrading the licence
To upgrade your existing licence to include additional units of competency, attend a training course with an approved training provider and lodge an online application. No fee applies.
This information sheet outlines the training requirements for obtaining or renewing a shotfiring licence in Western Australia.
The information sheet lists only those training course providers that are accredited to deliver national units of competency for blasting (RIIBLA).
Amending the licence and updating personal details
To amend your licence, or update your personal details, or provide the department with information relevant to your licence, log on to Safety Regulations System SRS. There is no fee required.
Renewing the licence
Renewal notices are sent three months prior to the licence expiry. You may apply for a renewal online after you have received a renewal notice.
Licences must be renewed prior to expiry. If you require a licence after a licence expires, you must apply for a new one.
For more information refer to: Renewing a shotfiring licence.
Complying with a licence condition
If you are granted a licence subject to a condition requiring a review, a notification is sent six weeks prior to the review due date. To comply with the condition you must provide the documentation required by the review due date.
If you do not comply with the condition, you will be deemed unfit to perform the licensed activities on the grounds of your non-compliance with the condition and action may be taken to suspend your licence.
Applications can only be lodged online.
Lodging the application
The completed and signed application form must be accompanied by:
- all support documents
- the fee, payable at lodgement
- this can be paid by credit card
- application to be lodged online
If you have an existing SRS Ex account, Log on to SRS
Enter your Ex-Account number and password and follow online instructions to complete your application
If you are a new user go to SRS new user
Register for an ex-Account number.
Contact details
For any enquiries please contact Dangerous Goods Licensing:
Phone: (08) 6251 2300
Email: cso@dmirs.wa.gov.au
Public Registers
The licensing regulations create public registers which require information about licence holders and licences to be publicly available. The actual information published in each licence register depends on the licence type.
Typically the register includes:
- Licence number
- Licence holder
- Conditions on licence(if any)
- Expiry date of licence