Applying for a licence to manufacture explosives

You must have a current Queensland Explosives Security Clearance (QESC) if you are applying for a security-sensitive explosives-related licence, which includes fireworks.

From 1 July 2026, use the RSHQ Portal to apply, renew, and manage your QESC, licences, and notifications—for simpler, faster and smarter licensing and compliance.

A licence to manufacture explosives allows you to:

  • manufacture certain explosives at a designated location
  • purchase, possess and store certain explosives at a designated location.

We issue 3 types of licences, depending on whether the explosives will be made:

  • at an explosives factory
  • at a place of use that's not an explosives factory, such as a mine site
  • in a mobile manufacturing unit (vehicle-based) for blasting explosives.

The licence for a mobile manufacturing units (MMUs) allows the transport of certain explosives and their ingredients.

Apply

You must apply via the RHSQ Portal (the Portal).

If you have a current licence or Queensland Explosives Security Clearance (QESC):

  1. Log in to your existing Portal account
  2. Go to Licensing & clearances.
  3. Select Explosives applications to begin your application.

If you have not held a RSHQ licence or a QESC in the past 12 months:

  1. Sign up to create a Portal account
  2. Complete an identity verification in the Portal.
  3. Submit a QESC application – you (or applicable directors/partners/responsible person) must hold a valid security clearance before applying for the licence.
  4. To apply for a business account, complete the individual sign-up process then submit a business account setup request via the Manage & update menu in the Portal.
  5. Submit your application in the Portal.

Supporting documents

As part of the Portal application process, you'll need to pay the licence fee (see fees below) and upload copies of the following supporting documents—detailed document requirements are specified in the Portal during the application process:

  • for mobile manufacturing units
  • for factory/place of use
  • and
  • depending on the type of business making the application
    • corporations/registered companies – a copy of the current Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) extract
    • listed corporations – details of an appointed responsible person for explosives matters
    • partnerships – certified copies of the current certificate of registration of the business name and evidence of registration of the partnership.

For corporations, listed corporations, and partnerships, you must also provide a primary contact in relation to explosives matters, which must be accompanied by a letter signed by the director or partner authorising the person to act on behalf of the organisation.

Fees and payment options

Licence fees must be paid via credit card following submission of the application in the Portal. Read more about payment of licence fees.

Fees for licences to manufacture

Licence class Licence type Licence fee and period
Licence to manufacture explosives For an explosives factory other than a mobile manufacturing unit 1 year – $532.74 (excl. GST)
5 years – $2,663.68 (excl. GST)
Licence to manufacture explosives For a mobile manufacturing unit 1 year – $245.07 (excl. GST)
5 years – $1,225.34 (excl. GST)
Licence to manufacture explosives For a place of use that's not an explosives factory 1 year – $123.50 (excl. GST)
5 years – $617.49 (excl. GST)

Obligations of licence holders

Licence holders must follow the conditions of their licence, including manufacturing only authorised explosives.

They must not supply explosives to anyone not authorised to possess the explosives.

Persons transporting an explosive in a mobile manufacturing unit must comply with the code of practice for mobile processing units, edition 4, September 2018 (PDF, 718KB).

For storing and handling explosives, read the code of practice for storage and handling and explosives (PDF, 2.4MB).