Applying for a commercial operators licence

Applying for a new licence in Queensland

If you are accredited and intend to operate in Queensland, you can apply online for a new commercial operators licence to use herbicides. Licences are issued for 1 year or 3 years, and you can select the period in the application process. You will need to upload relevant statements of attainment when applying for your new licence.

If you cannot use the online form, contact us online, by phone or in person.

Renewing an existing licence

If your email address is recorded against your licence, you will receive an automated notification 60 days before your licence expiry date. You can renew your licence within the 60-day period using the online renewal form.

You will need your licence number to use the online renewal form. If you don't know your licence number, you can search the chemical application licence register.

If your licence has expired, you cannot renew your licence and must apply for a new one.

If you cannot use the online form, contact us online, by phone or in person.

Financial receipts for licences

When you apply using the online form, a receipt is automatically sent to your nominated email address. The receipt document contains your application details and the financial receipt.

Change of licence details

It is a requirement under the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 that licensees notify the Department of Primary Industries of any changes to their licence details within 21 days.

To update your licence details, use the change request form. If you are renewing your licence, you can change your details on the renewal form.

If you cannot change your details online, contact us online, by phone or in person.

Applying for a licence if transferring to Queensland from interstate

If you currently work or have previously worked interstate in the occupation of applying herbicides for commercial weed control, and you intend to continue this occupation in Queensland, you will need to obtain a Queensland commercial operators licence.
Depending on your qualifications, there are a number of ways that you can apply for a Queensland licence.

Full accreditation

Check to see if you hold statements of attainment from either a Queensland or an interstate registered training organisation (RTO) for the competencies of:

  • AHCCHM307—Prepare and apply chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases
  • AHCCHM304—Transport and store chemicals.

If you do, you can apply for a new licence.

Partial accreditation

If you partially hold the approved accreditation, you should contact an RTO of your choice and undertake training to obtain the relevant competency. You then need to get copies of the statements of attainment and apply for a licence.

Mutual recognition

If you have an interstate licence that allows you to apply herbicides for commercial weed control, you may be able to apply for a commercial operators licence in Queensland under mutual recognition.

If you hold a current interstate weed control licence but do not hold the approved accreditation, or only partial accreditation, and you wish to apply for a Queensland commercial operators licence under mutual recognition, you need to establish whether your current interstate licence is equivalent to a Queensland commercial operators licence. You can check this by using the Australian Government's mutual recognition declarations for pest and weed controllers (Schedule 5).

If you determine that your interstate licence is equivalent to the Queensland commercial operators licence:

You will need to provide:

  • copies of your interstate licence certified by a JP or Commissioner for Declarations
  • a signed and witnessed statutory declaration.

Your statutory declaration must:

  • state that you are registered or licensed for the weed or pest control occupation in a particular state and specify that state
  • state the occupation you are seeking registration or a licence for, and that you are seeking this according to the mutual recognition principle
  • specify all the states in which you have substantive registration or licences for equivalent weed and/or pest control occupations
  • state that you are not the subject of disciplinary proceedings in any state (including any preliminary investigations or action that might lead to disciplinary proceedings) in relation to those occupations
  • state that your registration in any state is not cancelled or currently suspended as a result of disciplinary action
  • state that you are not otherwise personally prohibited from carrying on any weed or pest control occupation in any state, and are not subject to any special conditions in carrying on that occupation, as a result of criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings in any state
  • specify any special conditions to which you are subject in carrying out any weed and/or pest control occupation in any state
  • give consent to the making of inquiries and the exchange of information with the authorities of any state regarding your activities in the relevant occupation or occupations, or otherwise regarding matters relevant to the notice.

Delays may occur in the issue of your Queensland commercial operators licence if you do not address all of the points listed above in your statutory declaration.