SSAN transport licence - New, amendment or transfer

When is this licence required?

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 a security 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.

The application form does not request specific details of individual vehicles but such information must be maintained by the licence holder as part of a documented security plan.

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.

Who can apply?

• 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).

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 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.

Refer to what is the role of accredited dangerous goods consultants page for a list of consultants.

Required information

The application must be signed by the intended licensee and lodged with:

• Completed and signed application form
• If applicable, a separate sheet briefly describing details of any relevant offence resulting in convictions, and/or charges pending
• The original certified colour copy of an interstate recognised security clearance
• A copy of the security plan
• Individual: Colour copy of motor drivers licence
• Body Corporate: Original certified copy of certificate of incorporation
• Partnership:
  • Original certified copy of evidence of the partnership
  • A statutory declaration from each partner (see the application form for more information)

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 security risk assessment and security plan template - SSAN storage has been developed and is available for download. 

Use of this template is not mandatory; however, the security plan should sufficiently address the national Ammonium Nitrate Guidance Note No. 2, Storage.

Application fee

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:

• does not apply if a consultant endorses the proposal as complying with the regulations
• applies for applications without accredited consultant endorsement.

The checking fees are equal to the licence fee payable with the application.

Head to dangerous goods fees and charges for more information on licence fees.

Lodging the application

The completed application form, together with supporting documents and payment can be sent to the department via:

Emailed to: cso@dmirs.wa.gov.au