Applying for a security sensitive ammonium nitrate transport 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.

• Any person who conducts a business that involves transporting a security sensitive ammonium nitrate on a road that is open to or used by the public, or by rail must hold asecurity sensitive ammonium nitrate transport licence.
• Testing laboratories other than educational institutions require a security sensitive ammonium nitrate transport licence for any quantity of a security risk substance.
• The security sensitive ammonium nitrate transport licence is issued for five years. It is an umbrella licence that covers one or more vehicles to be used in the transport of security sensitive ammonium nitrate.

When is a security sensitive ammonium nitrate transport licence not required?

A licence is not required if a person:

• holds a security sensitive ammonium nitrate fertiliser licence and transports for their own use
• holds a shotfirer licence that relates to a security sensitive ammonium nitrate and transports it for their own use
• holds an explosives manufacture licence that relates to a security sensitive ammonium nitrate and transports it in the mobile processing unit (MPU)
• is a secure nominee of the holder of a security sensitive ammonium nitrate transport licence and transports the security sensitive ammonium nitrate in the course of his or her duties
• controls or manages a commercial laboratory or is employed in a laboratory and
  • transports a security sensitive ammonium nitrate for analytical or research purposes at the laboratory that does not involve the manufacture of an illegal product
  • the quantity transported does not exceed three kilograms
• is employed by an educational institution or government organisation and
  • transports a security sensitive ammonium nitrate for analytical, educational or research purposes at the institution or organisation that does not involve the manufacture of an illegal product
  • the quantity transported does not exceed three kilograms.

Recognition of interstate licences

A security sensitive ammonium nitrate transport licence is not required if the person holds a current equivalent interstate transport licence.

Interstate licensed dangerous goods drivers who are employed by the holder of such licences do not require a Western Australian dangerous goods driver licence.

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

The intended licence holder must have a minimum public liability insurance policy of five million dollars (AUD5,000,000).

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 an 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. 2, Storage.

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 and endorsement.

The completed application form, together with supporting documents and the fee(s) payable to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.

You must apply online via the Safety Regulation System (SRS).

This information can then be

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

Office hours: 8.30 am to 4.30 pm

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

Route selection

Other guidance

Applicable legislation

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