Renew, change, replace or surrender your licence or security clearance

Renewing a licence or security clearance

We will email you a renewal notification prompting you to apply to renew your licence or Queensland Explosives Security Clearance (QESC). If you don't receive a renewal notification within 1 month of the due date, contact us.

You can't renew a permit, as they're used for one-off purposes.

Surrendering a licence or security clearance

Before you surrender a licence or QESC, you must dispose of any explosives that you have under that licence safely, acceptably and legally. Contact your nearest Explosives Inspectorate office for assistance.

To surrender your licence or security clearance, complete form E117 Voluntary surrender of security clearance or licence (PDF, 464KB).

Fees for licences are refundable for any remaining whole years of the licence period. The QESC fee is not refundable.

Once your licence is surrendered, it's illegal for you to possess explosives under the surrendered licence (though you may continue to possess explosives under a different licence).

Replacing a permit or licence

If you have a permit that is lost, damaged or stolen, you must notify us within 7 days by phone or email.

From 1 July 2026, all licence records are stored digitally in the RSHQ Portal (the Portal), so a physical card is no longer required—you can download or print a copy of the licence or QESC by logging into your Portal account). Additionally, you can use the Portal to search for and confirm the status of a licence or QESC without having to log in.

Replacing a security clearance

If you have a physical QESC card that is lost, destroyed or stolen, you must notify us within 7 days by phone or email.

Applications for a new or renewal of a QESC must be made via the Portal. QESC issued via the Portal are digital only.

Fees and payment options

Licence fees can only be paid via credit card (BPOINT) following submission of the online form. Read more about payment of licence fees.

Changing the details on your licence

From 1 July 2026, if you wish to amend your licence details for a current licence, contact us for the appropriate form.