Manufacturing explosives

If you store explosives as part of the manufacturing process you will need a licence, unless the quantities are small enough to fall under an exemption. 

What is the definition of explosives storage?

The storage of explosives means the possession of explosives for any period after their manufacture, except for any period during which they are being:

• prepared at any place for use at that place
• transported beyond the place where they are stored

To carry out these explosives storage activities you will need to obtain a licence or certificate of registration from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

To ensure the safe storage of explosives you must:

• protect explosives from sources of ignition
• prevent fire and explosion spreading
• avoid unsuitable storage conditions
• ensure accurate control and record-keeping arrangements

Your explosives store, storage area, container or cupboard should be:

• suitably weatherproof
• designed to ensure that explosives do not come into contact with substances with which they are incompatible
• protected by a lightning conductor
• used only to keep explosives and tools or implements connected with the keeping of explosives
• kept clean, with steps taken to prevent grit entering unpackaged explosives

For more detail see explosives manufacturing and storage site safety and security.

Exemption from explosives storage licensing or registration

In some instances, you can keep a quantity of explosive without needing a licence or certificate of registration. This will depend on the net explosives content (NEC) kept and the Hazard Type:

• Hazard Type 1 - mass explosion hazard, where the entire body of explosives explodes as one.
• Hazard Type 2 - serious projectile hazard (but does not have a mass explosion hazard).
• Hazard Type 3 - fire hazard, giving rise to considerable radiant heat or which burn to produce a minor blast or projectile hazard.
• Hazard Type 4 - fire or slight explosion hazard, which present only a low hazard in the event of ignition or initiation, where no significant blast or projectile of fragments of appreciable size or range is expected.

If your explosives quantity falls within defined NEC limits you can store them for certain periods without having a licence or registering. 

Download a table showing the NEC of different types of explosives and the storage exemption periods (DOC, 16K).