In Tasmania, you need to have a licence to use agricultural chemicals. Moreover, under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011, anyone who uses hazardous chemicals must have the relevant training. See below for more information:
Commercial Operator Licence
In Tasmania, the Department of Primary Industry, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) administers the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1995. Accordingly, if you operate a business that provides a commercial spraying service you must hold a Commercial Operator Licence.
The licence applies to any business that uses agricultural chemical products to control weeds and pests, and which receives payment, fee, or reward for this service. The Commercial Operator Licence acts as a business licence and is issued to the individual who owns/operates the business.
OUR CHEMICAL COURSE COVERS THE TWO UNITS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A COMMERCIAL OPERATOR LICENCE IN TASMANIA
Certificates of Competency
If you apply agricultural chemical products for a commercial spraying business, you must hold a Certificate of Competency that is relevant to the type of work you do. Certificates of Competency may be issued to operators who have completed recognised accredited training in the use of agricultural chemicals. A certificate will specify the types of spraying work you may do. For instance, weed control in forestry and non-cropping situations, or insect pest, disease and weed control in cropping situations.
The types of certificates that may be issued are:
Category | Application Method |
Category 1 | Handheld equipment, small volumes (<2L or 2kg) per year of herbicide concentrate registered for home garden use |
Category 2 | Handheld equipment, larger volumes of herbicides, insecticides etc. |
Category 3 | Motorised application equipment e.g.: boom spray, air blast etc. |
Pest Management | Pest control in and around buildings – rodents, ants, wasps etc. |
Methyl Bromide/ | Application of fumigants – glasshouses, quarantine etc. |
OUR CHEMICAL COURSE COVERS THE TWO UNITS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A CATEGORY 2 OR CATEGORY 3 LICENCE IN TASMANIA
Helpful Links
Further information can be obtained from: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/agriculture/agvet-chemicals/licences-and-certificates/ground-spraying-and-pest-management-licences
To apply for your Commercial Operator Licence, click here: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Commercial%20Operator%20Licence.pdf
To apply for your Certificate of Competency, click here: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Certificate%20of%20Competency.pdf
Code of Practice – Ground Spraying: https://nre.tas.gov.au/agriculture/agvet-chemicals/codes-of-practice/code-of-practice-for-ground-spraying
Code of Practice – Spraying in Public Places: https://nre.tas.gov.au/agriculture/agvet-chemicals/codes-of-practice/code-of-practice-for-spraying-in-public-places
Code of Practice – Supply and Use of Veterinary Chemicals: https://nre.tas.gov.au/agriculture/agvet-chemicals/codes-of-practice/code-of-practice-for-the-supply-and-use-of-veterinary-chemicals
