The departmental submissions portal is available to lodge dangerous goods vehicle licence applications, including the Application for approval of tank design.
Lodge your application online via the departmental submissions portal.
For more information on how a user can submit an application electronically, please view the Departmental submissions flyer.
Applying for an approval number
The Department wants to ensure that the transport of dangerous goods is undertaken with minimal risks to the community.
The technical requirements for vehicles designed to carry dangerous goods are contained in Australian Dangerous Goods Code and the Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007. All road tank vehicles and rail tank wagons intended for the transport of dangerous goods of Classes 2,3,4,5,6,8 and 9 require an approval number.
The design of a tank that forms part of or is used on a tank vehicle must be approved by the Department or an equivalent interstate competent authority before it can be used for the transport of dangerous goods.
Please note the approval number is approving the design of the road tank vehicle only. Once built the road tank vehicles will also need dangerous goods vehicle licences.
Are similar approval numbers from elsewhere recognised?
Tank vehicles with a current approval number issued by another competent authority from other States or Territories of Australia may not require a Western Australia (WA) approval number. If you are in this category, check the approval letter issued by the competent authority to ensure it is current and valid for your circumstances for use in WA.
Approvals or standards received from other agencies and authorisations
Evidence of approvals or proof of compliancy with standards received from other agencies or authorities must be submitted with the application form.
Examples of when this is required, is as follows:
Example 1: For a LP Gas Tanker documentation, showing the vessel is compliant with AS1210 -SAA Unfired Pressure Vessels Code.
Example 2: For Bitumen Tanker documentation, showing approval by Energy Safety for a LP Gas system.
Professional engineers report
An application for approval of tank design must demonstrate compliance with applicable standards and codes that are relevant to the type of tank and vehicle, and the classes and types of dangerous goods intended to transport, as follows:
- For road tank vehicles – the relevant parts of AS2809 as shown in table below.
| Standard | Type of Dangerous goods |
|---|---|
| AS 2809 – Part 1 |
Part 1 applies to all road tank vehicles, in addition to the requirements of the applicable Part 2 – 6 according to the type of goods |
| AS 2809 – Part 2 |
Flammable liquids |
| AS 2809 – Part 3 |
Liquefied compressed gases |
| AS 2809 – Part 4 |
Toxic or corrosive liquids or ammonium nitrate emulsion, suspension or gel cargoes. |
| AS 2809 – Part 5 |
Bitumen-based products |
| AS 2809 – Part 6 |
Cryogenic gases and liquids |
- Where AS2809 Part 4 specifies a Type 2 tank, a Type 1 tank may also be used.
- Where AS2809 Part 4 specifies a Type 4 tank, a Type 5 tank may also be used.
- For rail tank wagons – such codes or standards as are acceptable to the authority responsible for rail safety and the Department. Until a recognised Australian standard or national code of practice covering the design of rail tank wagons is published, it is recommended that the tank designs comply with standards applicable in North America or Europe.
- For pressure vessels – AS1210
- For tanks to transport anhydrous ammonia – AS2022
Professional engineers declaration
The professional engineer must complete and sign a declaration to certify the design has been examined and is in accordance with the requirements of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (current edition) and AS 2809.
The signed declaration must be attached with the Application for approval of tank design at time of submission.
To view the declaration, please select Professional engineer’s declaration.
A link to the declaration is also available in the Application for approval of tank design form
Required supporting information
Before completing and lodging your application ensure you have high quality images of the following documents:
- An image of detailed drawings of the tank and vehicle showing how the tank will form part of, or be attached to the vehicle.
- An image of the written report prepared and signed by a professional engineer containing clause-by-clause information and calculations relevant to whether the tank and vehicle is in accordance with AS2809, or another code or standard intended to manufacture the tank.
- Image of the completed and signed Professional engineers declaration.
- An image of evidence from other approvals or standards.
Failure to provide the required documentation will delay processing of applications.
Application fee
The fee is paid online through the departmental submissions portal. MasterCard and Visa are accepted forms of payment.
For information regarding application and renewal fees please see Schedule of fees and charges
Lodging the application
The completed application must be submitted online via the departmental submissions portal.
Lodge your application online via the departmental submissions portal.
For more information on how a user can submit an application electronically, please view the Departmental submissions flyer
Related information
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.
Contact details
For any enquiries please contact Dangerous Goods Licensing
Phone: (08) 6251 2300 Option 2
Email: cso@dmirs.wa.gov.au