Applying for a security sensitive ammonium nitrate fertiliser licence

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.

• A security sensitive ammonium nitrate fertiliser licence is a special licence for primary producers only.
• It is required to purchase, transport, store and use of fertilisers qualifying as a SSAN, in unlimited quantities for the licence holder’s own use. A dangerous goods storage licence is not required.
• The SSAN fertiliser licence is issued for five years.

Bulk transport of fertiliser

A primary producer must also be a licensed dangerous goods driver to transport fertiliser in bulk on public roads in quantities greater than:

• three tonnes in intermediate bulk containers (IBCs)
• 500 kilograms in bulk (not in IBCs)

A dangerous good vehicle licence is not required.

Licences can be granted to an individual, body corporate or partnership.

Individuals must be at least 21 years of age.

For significant quantities of fertiliser it is recommended that those intending to apply for a licence engage a dangerous goods consultant accredited to prepare and submit your application. 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.

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.

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.3, Agricultural Use.

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.

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.

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 fee applies for new applications without accredited consultant endorsement.

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

Transporting dangerous goods in limited quantities

Reporting an incident

Security sensitive ammonium nitrate licence holders have a responsibility to report incidents and accidents arising from their activities, including unexplained losses or theft.

Accessing security sensitive ammonium nitrate

People with unsupervised access to security sensitive ammonium nitrate require a security clearance (typically a dangerous goods security card). Additionally, the card holder also requires authorisation from the security sensitive ammonium nitrate licence holder to have unsupervised access to the security sensitive ammonium nitrate.

This establishes that the employee has an operational need and the competence to have unsupervised access to security sensitive ammonium nitrate, and gives the person the legal status of a secure nominee.

There are templates available for authorisation of unsupervised and supervised access to security sensitive ammonium nitrate.

Other guidance

Applicable legislation

For any enquiries please contact Dangerous Goods Licensing:
Phone: (08) 6251 2300
Email: cso@dmirs.wa.gov.au