This Regulation creates a licensing, training, record‑keeping and public‑notification regime for pesticide use, defining who must be licensed or exempt, how trainees are supervised, and what records and notices are required.
It primarily affects commercial, agricultural and occupational applicators (including aerial/RPA operators), pest managers and public authorities. It centralises discretion with the EPA, imposes compliance costs and transparency obligations, and implements the Pesticides Act’s safety and accountability framework.
This Regulation (Pesticides Regulation 2017) sets out licensing, qualification, record‑keeping, notification and related requirements for pesticide use in New South Wales, and it replaces the prior Pesticides Regulation 2009 (cl 1-2). It prescribes the classes of pesticide work for which licences are required (cl 6), the kinds of licences available (cl 7), the qualifications needed to hold those licences (cl 19), and a set of statutory exemptions to the licensing and use restrictions (Div 3, cls 8-15, 56A-56B, 57). It also prescribes detailed record‑keeping obligations for many kinds of pesticide use (Part 4, cls 35-38; Part 6, cls 52-55), and bespoke record and notification requirements for aerial and remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) pesticide application (cl 26), and public authorities using pesticides in prescribed public places (Part 5, Div 2, cls 40-44).
Mechanically, the Regulation:
defines the scope of "prescribed pesticide work" that triggers licensing under the Act (cl 6), including aerial applicator pilot work, RPA applicator pilot work, fumigation work, ground applicator work, pest management technician work and timber pest management technician work;
prescribes the licence types corresponding to those activities and links licence entitlements to the particular prescribed work (cl 7);
prescribes the qualifications and alternative qualification routes the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) may determine for licence applicants (cl 19, cl 19A; Sch 2);
sets application and renewal fees and authorises EPA discretion to waive or reduce fees (cls 17, 24);
creates trainee and supervisor regimes for certain work, with training permits, record obligations and supervisory duties (cls 13-16);
establishes notification requirements for public authorities and private contractors for pesticide use in prescribed public places, residential complexes and near sensitive places, together with consultation and publication processes for public authority notification plans (Part 5, Divs 2-3, cls 40-51);
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Pesticides Regulation 2017.
timber pest management technician work—see clause 6.
use does not include store.
Note.
The Act and the Interpretation Act 1987 contain definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Regulation.
(2) Notes included in this Regulation do not form part of this Regulation.
cl 3: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[1].
4
Exempt domestic like use of pesticide
4 Exempt domestic like use of pesticide
4 Exempt domestic like use of pesticide
The use of a pesticide by a person is an exempt domestic like use of pesticide for the purposes of this Regulation if the pesticide is, or is part of, a product that is widely available to the general public at retail outlets, is ordinarily used for domestic purposes (including home gardening), is being applied by hand or hand-held applicator and—
(a) if the product is being used outdoors—no more than 20 litres or 20 kilograms of “ready-to-use” product or 5 litres or 5 kilograms of concentrated product is being used, or
(b) if the product is being used indoors—no more than 5 litres or 5 kilograms of “ready-to-use” product or 1 litre or 1 kilogram of concentrated product is being used.
Part 2
Licences
Part 2 Licences
Part 2 Licences
Division 1
Preliminary
Division 1 Preliminary
Division 1 Preliminary
5
Definitions
5 Definitions
5 Definitions
In this Part—
aerial applicator business—see clause 6.
aerial applicator pilot work—see clause 6.
agricultural activities includes the following—
(a) horticulture activities,
(b) husbandry (such as the keeping or breeding of livestock, poultry or bees),
(c) the growing of fruit, vegetables or other crops,
(d) the processing or storing of agricultural products, but only when carried on in connection with another agricultural activity.
approved means approved by the Environment Protection Authority from time to time.
course of training, in relation to prescribed pesticide work, means a course of training the completion of which is required in order for a person to obtain the prescribed licence qualification for a licence to carry out the work.
National Standard for Licensing Pest Management Technicians means the document entitled National Standard for Licensing Pest Management Technicians published in 1999 by the National Environmental Health Forum (National Environmental Health Monographs General Series No 4).
person responsible for a trainee carrying out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work means—
(a) in the case of a trainee who is carrying out the work as an employee—the trainee’s employer, or
(b) in the case of a trainee who is carrying out the work under contract as an independent contractor—the person for whom he or she is carrying out the work under that contract, or
(c) in the case of a trainee who is carrying out the work while engaged in a course of training for that work—the person conducting the course, or
(d) in the case of a trainee who is carrying out the work under an arrangement with some other person (whether or not for reward) otherwise than as referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c)—that other person.
prescribed licence qualification, in relation to a kind of licence, means the qualification prescribed by, or determined in accordance with, clause 19 for that licence.
RPA applicator business—see clause 6.
RPA applicator pilot work—see clause 6.
supervisor, in relation to a trainee, means a person who is designated as the supervisor of the trainee by the person responsible for the trainee carrying out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work.
trainee, in relation to fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work, means an unqualified person who is—
(a) engaged in a course of training for the work, and
(b) of or above the age of 17 years.
unqualified person, in relation to prescribed pesticide work, means a person who does not hold the prescribed licence qualification for a licence to carry out such work.
cl 5: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[2].
Division 2
Licensing requirements
Division 2 Licensing requirements
Division 2 Licensing requirements
6
Kinds of prescribed pesticide work
6 Kinds of prescribed pesticide work
6 Kinds of prescribed pesticide work
(1) Each of the following is prescribed for the purposes of section 5A of the Act as prescribed pesticide work—
(a) aerial applicator pilot work—being the piloting by an individual of an aircraft that is being used to apply a pesticide to property (whether or not for fee or reward),
(b) aerial applicator business—being a business carried on for aerial applicator pilot work,
(c) RPA applicator pilot work—being the remote piloting by an individual of an unmanned aircraft that is being used to apply a pesticide to property (whether or not for fee or reward),
(d) RPA applicator business—being a business carried on for RPA applicator pilot work,
(e) fumigation work—being the use by an individual of fumigants (other than sterilising fumigants applied from single use canisters) for the prevention, control or eradication of pests for fee or reward or for a public authority (whether or not for fee or reward),
(f) ground applicator work—being the use by an individual of pesticides (other than fumigants) for the control of weeds or of pests affecting plants or soil for fee or reward, but it does not include—
(i) aerial applicator pilot work, or
(ii) RPA applicator pilot work, or
(iii) fumigation work, or
(iv) the use of pesticide on land owned or occupied by the person using the pesticide or by a relative (within the meaning of the Adoption Act 2000) of the person,
(g) pest management technician work—being the use by an individual of pesticides (other than restricted pesticides used to control vertebrates or fumigants) for the prevention, control or eradication of pests for fee or reward or for a public authority (whether or not for fee or reward) but it does not include—
(i) aerial applicator pilot work, or
(ii) RPA applicator pilot work, or
(iii) fumigation work, or
(iv) ground applicator work, or
(v) timber pest management technician work,
(h) timber pest management technician work—being the use by an individual of pesticides, other than restricted pesticides used to control vertebrates or fumigants, for the prevention, control or eradication of pests that attack, infest or destroy timber or timber products for fee or reward or for a public authority, whether or not for fee or reward, but it does not include—
(i) aerial applicator work, or
(ii) RPA applicator pilot work, or
(iii) fumigation work, or
(iv) ground applicator work, or
(v) pest management technician work.
Note—
The Act, section 45 sets out the requirement for a licence to carry out prescribed pesticide work.
(2) Despite subclause (1), each of the following uses of pesticides is not prescribed pesticide work if the use does not occur in connection with the piloting or use of an aircraft—
(a) the use on land of pesticides by an individual who is the owner or occupier of the land (or who is the employee of such a person) in connection with agricultural activities on that land,
(b) the use of pesticides by an individual for amenity horticulture purposes (such as ground or garden maintenance, landscaping, floriculture, arboriculture or the operations of a nursery),
(c) the use of pesticides by an individual for bush care purposes,
(d) the use of pesticides by an individual for the purposes of water treatment (including the treatment of water in pools and spas),
(e) the application of paint by an individual that contains anti-fouling pesticides,
(f) the use of pesticides by an individual to treat or prevent an ectoparasitic infestation,
(g) the use of pesticides by an individual to treat or preserve timber at a treatment plant.
(3) A business is carried on for aerial applicator pilot work or RPA applicator pilot work if—
(a) a business is carried on by a person (other than a public authority) and the person—
(i) employs or engages an individual to carry out that work for the business, or
(ii) carries out that work as a self-employed individual, or
(b) a public authority employs or engages an individual to carry out that work for it.
cl 6: Am 2021 (694), Schs 1[1], 2[3] [4].
7
Kinds of licences
7 Kinds of licences
7 Kinds of licences
For the purposes of section 46 of the Act, each of the following licences is prescribed as a kind of licence that authorises its holder to carry out the prescribed pesticide work specified—
(a) aerial applicator pilot licence—aerial applicator pilot work,
(b) aerial applicator business licence—aerial applicator business,
(c) RPA applicator pilot licence—RPA applicator pilot work,
(d) RPA applicator business licence—RPA applicator business,
(e) fumigator licence—fumigation work,
(f) pest management technician licence—pest management technician work,
(h) timber pest management technician licence—pest management technician work and timber pest management technician work.
cl 7: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[5].
Division 3
Exemptions
Division 3 Exemptions
Division 3 Exemptions
pt.2-div.3-sdiv.1
Exemptions generally
pt.2-div.3-sdiv.1 Exemptions generally
Subdivision 1 Exemptions generally
8
Exemptions granted by Environment Protection Authority
8 Exemptions granted by Environment Protection Authority
8 Exemptions granted by Environment Protection Authority
(1) The Environment Protection Authority may, by order in writing, exempt a specified person or class of persons from any of the licensing requirements.
(2) An order that exempts a class of persons from any of the licensing requirements must be published in the Gazette.
(3) An exemption from licensing requirements granted under this clause is subject to such conditions (if any) as may be specified in the order.
(4) In this clause—
licensing requirements means—
(a) the provisions of Division 1 of Part 6 of the Act, and
(b) the provisions of this Part.
9
Exemption—newly qualified persons
9 Exemption—newly qualified persons
9 Exemption—newly qualified persons
A person who has obtained the prescribed licence qualification for a fumigator licence, pest management technician licence, timber pest management technician licence or ground applicator licence may carry out work authorised by the particular licence without holding the licence—
(a) until 60 days after obtaining the qualification, or
(b) if the person applies to the Environment Protection Authority for the licence within that 60-day period—
(i) until the person is issued with a licence, or
(ii) until 14 days after the person receives notice that the application has been refused.
cl 9: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[6].
10
Exemption—persons selling, testing, maintaining or disposing of plant
10 Exemption—persons selling, testing, maintaining or disposing of plant
10 Exemption—persons selling, testing, maintaining or disposing of plant
A person may carry out fumigation work, ground applicator work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work without a licence if the work is carried out solely for the purpose of selling, testing, maintaining (including servicing or repairing) or disposing of plant (which includes any machinery, equipment or appliance).
cl 10: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[7].
11
Exemption—on-farm use of fumigants
11 Exemption—on-farm use of fumigants
11 Exemption—on-farm use of fumigants
A person may carry out fumigation work on land used for an agricultural activity without a licence if—
(a) the person is the owner or occupier of the land or an employee of the owner or occupier, and
(b) the fumigation work is carried out in connection with the agricultural activity for the control of insect pests in stored products or for the control of rabbits, mice or rats, and
(c) the fumigation work is carried out in compliance with the instructions on the approved label for the pesticide being used.
12
Exemption—exempt domestic like use of pesticide
12 Exemption—exempt domestic like use of pesticide
12 Exemption—exempt domestic like use of pesticide
A person may carry out work that is exempt domestic like use of pesticide without a licence if the use of the pesticide is for the control of weeds or the control of pests that affect plants or soil.
12A
Exemption—waterproofing products containing pesticides—the Act, s 117
12A Exemption—waterproofing products containing pesticides—the Act, s 117
12A Exemption—waterproofing products containing pesticides—the Act, s 117
(1) This clause applies to a person who is—
(a) the holder of a contractor licence, endorsed contractor licence, owner-builder permit or supervisor certificate under the Home Building Act 1989 that authorises the holder to carry out waterproofing, or
(b) under the supervision, and subject to the direction, of the holder of an endorsed contractor licence or supervisor certificate under the Home Building Act 1989 that authorises the holder to supervise waterproofing.
(2) Despite any provision of the Act or this Regulation that requires the person to hold a licence authorising the person to carry out pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work, the person may carry out pest management technician work and timber pest management technician work for either of the following purposes without a licence—
(a) to install, replace, repair, alter or maintain a waterproofing barrier that contains pesticides,
(b) to use a waterproofing adhesive, foam or sealant that contains pesticides.
cl 12A: Ins 2021 (694), Sch 1[2]. Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[8] [9].
pt.2-div.3-sdiv.2
Trainees
pt.2-div.3-sdiv.2 Trainees
Subdivision 2 Trainees
13
Exemption—trainees
13 Exemption—trainees
13 Exemption—trainees
(1) A person may carry out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work without a licence if the person—
(a) has within the previous 2 years obtained a training permit for the particular work from the Environment Protection Authority, and
(b) carries out that work as a trainee for the purposes of an approved course of training for that work, and
(c) carries out that work under the supervision of a supervisor, and
(d) keeps and maintains a record in relation to the carrying out of that work in accordance with this Division.
(1A) A person who holds a pest management technician licence may carry out timber pest management technician work without a timber pest management technician licence if the person meets the conditions specified in subclause (1)(b)–(d).
(2) A person is entitled to obtain a training permit if the person applies to the Environment Protection Authority for the permit and the application—
(a) is in the approved form, and
(b) is accompanied by such material or information to support the application (such as qualifications and proof of age and identity) as the Authority may require, and
(c) is accompanied by the applicable fee.
(3) The applicable fee for a permit is as follows—
(a) for an application made during period 1—$78.40,
(b) for an application made during period 2—$118.00,
(c) for an application made during period 3—$158.00,
(d) for an application made during period 4—$162.00,
(e) for an application made during period 5—$166.00,
(f) for an application made during period 6—$170.00.
(4) The Environment Protection Authority may at its discretion waive, remit, reduce or refund any fee payable under this clause.
cl 13: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[10] [11].
14
Obligation of trainee to keep record
14 Obligation of trainee to keep record
14 Obligation of trainee to keep record
A person who carries out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work as a trainee must keep and maintain a record of the following in relation to the carrying out of that work—
(a) the name and address of the trainee,
(b) the name and address of each employer of the trainee,
(c) the name of each supervisor,
(d) a description of the work as it is actually carried out,
(e) a record of the dates on which the work is carried out.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
cl 14: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[10].
15
Obligations of person responsible for trainee
15 Obligations of person responsible for trainee
15 Obligations of person responsible for trainee
(1) The person responsible for a trainee carrying out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work must ensure that—
(a) the trainee, when carrying out the work, is supervised by a supervisor who holds a licence authorising the supervisor to carry out work of the kind being done by the trainee, and
(b) the supervision of the trainee is direct supervision, unless the supervisor or the person responsible for the trainee has established—
(i) that the trainee’s competency makes direct supervision unnecessary, and
(ii) that a lesser degree of supervision would not endanger the health or safety of the trainee or any other person, and
(c) the trainee receives directions, demonstrations, training and monitoring appropriate to the work and commensurate with the competence of the trainee, and
(d) immediate remedial action is taken in the event of an emergency that arises from the trainee carrying out the work.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
(2) The person responsible for a trainee carrying out fumigation work or pest management technician work must ensure that the trainee keeps and maintains a record in relation to the carrying out of that work in accordance with this Subdivision.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
cl 15: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[10].
16
Obligations of supervisor of trainee
16 Obligations of supervisor of trainee
16 Obligations of supervisor of trainee
(1) The supervisor of a trainee carrying out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work must directly supervise the trainee while the trainee is carrying out the work, unless the supervisor or person responsible for the trainee has established—
(a) that the trainee’s competency makes direct supervision unnecessary, and
(b) that a lesser degree of supervision would not endanger the health or safety of the trainee or any other person.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
(2) A supervisor of a trainee carrying out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work—
(a) must ensure that the trainee keeps and maintains a record in relation to the carrying out of that work in accordance with this Subdivision, and
(b) must check the record on each date on which the work is carried out by the trainee and must sign the record on that date and include a note stating whether the supervisor is satisfied that the record is correct in respect of that date.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
cl 16: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[10].
Division 4
Applications for licences
Division 4 Applications for licences
Division 4 Applications for licences
17
Licence application fees
17 Licence application fees
17 Licence application fees
(1) The following fees are prescribed for the purposes of section 47 (2) (b) of the Act—
| Period during which application made | Application for 1 year licence | Application for 5 year licence |
| Period 1 | Not applicable | $196 |
| Period 2 | Not applicable | $295 |
| Period 3 | Not applicable | $395 |
| Period 4 | Not applicable | $405 |
| Period 5 | $104 | $415 |
| Period 6 | $107 | $425 |
(2) The Environment Protection Authority may at its discretion waive, remit, reduce or refund any fee payable under section 47 (2) (b) of the Act.
cl 17: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[12].
18
Additional information and particulars to accompany application
18 Additional information and particulars to accompany application
18 Additional information and particulars to accompany application
The following information and particulars are prescribed for the purposes of section 47 (3) (d) of the Act—
(a) evidence of an approved kind of the applicant’s identity and age,
(b) evidence of an approved kind that the applicant has the prescribed licence qualification for the licence being sought (if any),
(c) any other information or particulars specified by the approved application form.
Division 5
Granting of licences
Division 5 Granting of licences
Division 5 Granting of licences
19
Prescribed qualifications for licences
19 Prescribed qualifications for licences
19 Prescribed qualifications for licences
(1) When a person has qualification to hold a licence The object of this clause is to provide for the qualifications for kinds of licences for the purposes of section 49 (2) (b) of the Act.
(2) A person is not qualified to hold a particular kind of licence if—
(a) qualifications for the licence are specified by this clause or are determined by the Environment Protection Authority in accordance with this clause, and
(b) the person does not hold those qualifications.
(3) Aerial applicator pilot licence A person is qualified to hold an aerial applicator pilot licence if—
(a) the person holds a current commercial pilot (aeroplane) licence or commercial pilot (helicopter) licence issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 of the Commonwealth with an aerial application rating and an aerial application endorsement, and
(i) is the holder of a current certificate of approval issued under the Spraysafe Accreditation Program conducted by the Aerial Application Association of Australia, or
(ii) has passed an examination conducted in accordance with the requirements of another State or Territory for the purpose of obtaining a licence equivalent to an aerial applicator pilot licence.
(4) Aerial applicator business licence A person is qualified to hold an aerial applicator business licence if the person holds an Air Operator’s Certificate issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 of the Commonwealth endorsed for aerial application or agricultural operations.
(5) RPA applicator pilot licence A person is qualified to hold an RPA applicator pilot licence if the person holds a remote pilot licence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 of the Commonwealth.
Note—
Clause 19A sets out an exemption from this qualification requirement.
(6) RPA applicator business licence A person is qualified to hold an RPA applicator business licence if the person holds an RPA operator’s certificate issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 of the Commonwealth.
(7) Fumigator licences or pest management technician licences A person is qualified to hold a fumigator licence or pest management technician licence if the person’s competency to do the work authorised by the licence is of a standard equal to or better than—
(a) the standard of competency set out in relation to the work in the National Standard for Licensing Pest Management Technicians, or
(b) another standard of competency that the Environment Protection Authority considers to be equivalent to the standard specified in paragraph (a).
(7A) Timber pest management technician licences A person is qualified to hold a timber pest management technician licence if—
(a) the person’s competency to do the work authorised by the licence is of a standard equal to or better than—
(i) the standard of competency set out in relation to the work in the National Standard for Licensing Pest Management Technicians, or
(ii) another standard of competency that the Environment Protection Authority considers equivalent to the standard specified in subparagraph (i), and
(b) the person—
(i) has successfully completed the units of competency entitled CPPUPM3008 Inspect for and report on timber pests and CPPUPM3010 Control timber pests, or
(ii) holds a qualification that the Environment Protection Authority considers equivalent to the qualification specified in subparagraph (i).
(8) Ground applicator work A person is qualified to hold a ground applicator licence if the person’s competency to do the work authorised by the licence is of a standard equal to or better than the competency standard (if any) published for the purposes of this subclause by the Environment Protection Authority by order published in the Gazette.
(9) Additional or alternative qualifications The Environment Protection Authority may, by notice published in the Gazette (a qualification determination notice), determine that—
(a) a qualification specified in the notice is an alternative qualification for a kind of licence to a qualification specified by, or previously determined in accordance with, this clause for the licence, or
(b) a qualification specified in the notice is a qualification required for a kind of licence in addition to a qualification specified by, or previously determined in accordance with, this clause for the licence.
(10) The Environment Protection Authority may revoke or amend a qualification determination notice by a further notice published in the Gazette.
(11) The determination of a qualification specified by a qualification determination notice takes effect on the day on which the notice is published or on such later day as may be specified in the notice.
(12) If an alternative qualification for a kind of licence is specified by a qualification determination notice, a person who has that qualification is taken to hold an appropriate qualification for the licence concerned.
(13) If an additional qualification for a kind of licence is specified by a qualification determination notice, a person must hold both the qualification specified by (or previously determined in accordance with) this clause for the licence and the additional qualification in order to be appropriately qualified to hold the licence.
cl 19: Am 2021 (694), Schs 1[3]–[6], 2[13].
19A
Exemption—Qualification for RPA applicator pilot licence
19A Exemption—Qualification for RPA applicator pilot licence
19A Exemption—Qualification for RPA applicator pilot licence
Despite clause 19, a person who does not hold a remote pilot licence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 of the Commonwealth is qualified to hold an RPA applicator pilot licence if the Environment Protection Authority is satisfied that the person will only—
(a) use an unmanned aircraft that is an excluded RPA, within the meaning of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 of the Commonwealth, regulation 101.237, and
(b) use the aircraft to apply pesticides to land owned or occupied by the person.
cl 19A: Ins 2021 (694), Sch 1[7].
20
Additional ground for licence refusal
20 Additional ground for licence refusal
20 Additional ground for licence refusal
That the applicant is under 18 years of age is prescribed as a circumstance for the purposes of section 49 (2) (d) of the Act.
Division 6
Conditions of licences
Division 6 Conditions of licences
Division 6 Conditions of licences
21
Object of Division
21 Object of Division
21 Object of Division
(1) The object of this Division is to prescribe conditions for certain kinds of licences for the purposes of section 50 (1) (a) of the Act.
(2) The conditions prescribed by this Division do not limit any conditions that are imposed on such licences by the Environment Protection Authority under the Act.
22
Special condition—notification of cessation of prescribed licence qualification
22 Special condition—notification of cessation of prescribed licence qualification
22 Special condition—notification of cessation of prescribed licence qualification
(1) This clause applies to the following kinds of licences—
(a) aerial applicator pilot licence,
(b) aerial applicator business licence,
(c) RPA applicator pilot licence,
(d) RPA applicator business licence.
(2) It is a condition of a licence to which this clause applies that the holder of the licence notify the Environment Protection Authority if the person ceases to have the prescribed licence qualification for the licence concerned.
(3) Any such notice must be given as soon as practicable after the holder of the licence becomes aware that the holder has ceased to hold the qualification.
(4) If there is an approved form for the notice, the notice must be in that form.
23
Special condition—notification concerning leakages or spills
23 Special condition—notification concerning leakages or spills
23 Special condition—notification concerning leakages or spills
(1) This clause applies to the following kinds of licences—
(a) aerial applicator business licence,
(b) RPA applicator business licence.
(2) It is a condition of a licence to which this clause applies that the holder of the licence notify the Environment Protection Authority of any incident where a pesticide leakage or spill has occurred as the result of a crash or forced landing of an aircraft that is operated under the authority of the licence.
(3) Any such notice must be given as soon as practicable after the incident occurs.
(4) If there is an approved form for the notice, the notice must be in that form.
23A
Special condition—certain RPA applicator pilot licences
23A Special condition—certain RPA applicator pilot licences
23A Special condition—certain RPA applicator pilot licences
(1) This clause applies to an RPA applicator pilot licence held by person who does not hold a remote pilot licence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 of the Commonwealth.
(2) It is a condition of the licence that the holder of the licence is only authorised to carry out RPA applicator pilot work—
(a) using an unmanned aircraft that is an excluded RPA, within the meaning of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 of the Commonwealth, regulation 101.237, and
(b) on land owned or occupied by the holder of the licence.
cl 23A: Ins 2021 (694), Sch 1[8].
Division 7
Renewal of licences
Division 7 Renewal of licences
Division 7 Renewal of licences
24
Renewal of licences
24 Renewal of licences
24 Renewal of licences
(1) The Environment Protection Authority may, on the application of the holder of a licence, renew the licence.
(2) An application for the renewal of a licence may be made before the expiry of the current licence, but no later than 3 months after its expiry.
(3) An application for the renewal of a licence must be—
(a) in the approved form, and
(b) accompanied by such material or information to support the application (such as qualifications and proof of age and identity) as the Environment Protection Authority may require, and
(c) accompanied by the applicable fee for the renewal of a licence.
(4) The Environment Protection Authority may require the holder of a licence to surrender the holder’s existing licence before renewing the licence.
(5) The applicable fee for the renewal of a licence is as follows—
| Period during which application made | Application for 1 year licence renewal | Application for 5 year licence renewal |
| Period 1 | Not applicable | $196 |
| Period 2 | Not applicable | $295 |
| Period 3 | Not applicable | $395 |
| Period 4 | Not applicable | $405 |
| Period 5 | $104 | $415 |
| Period 6 | $107 | $425 |
(6) The Environment Protection Authority may at its discretion waive, remit, reduce or refund any fee payable under this clause.
cl 24: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[14].
Division 8
Provision of information and record keeping
Division 8 Provision of information and record keeping
Division 8 Provision of information and record keeping
25
Licensees to provide certain information
25 Licensees to provide certain information
25 Licensees to provide certain information
(1) The holder of a licence must supply the Environment Protection Authority with the particulars of any information received by the holder that contradicts or modifies any information provided by the holder in connection with the application for the licence.
Maximum penalty—90 penalty units.
(2) If the holder of a licence (other than an aerial applicator pilot licence, an aerial applicator business licence, an RPA applicator pilot licence or an RPA applicator business licence) ceases to hold the prescribed licence qualification for the kind of licence concerned, the holder must supply the Environment Protection Authority with particulars of that fact as soon as practicable.
Maximum penalty—90 penalty units.
26
Records of aerial application of pesticides
26 Records of aerial application of pesticides
26 Records of aerial application of pesticides
(1) This clause applies in relation to—
(a) an aerial applicator business licence, and
(b) an RPA applicator business licence.
(2) The holder of a licence to which this clause applies must cause a record to be made in accordance with this clause in respect of each occasion on which the holder of the licence has caused an aircraft to be used in the application of a pesticide.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—400 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—200 penalty units.
(3) The holder of a licence to which this clause applies must provide a copy of a record required to be made under this clause to the owner or occupier of the land on which the pesticide was applied if requested to do so by the owner or occupier.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—100 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—50 penalty units.
(4) The record must be made as soon as practicable after the use of the pesticide concerned and, in any event, no later than 48 hours after the pesticide is used and must contain—
(a) the name and address of the person who piloted the aircraft, and
(b) a description of the pesticide that was applied (including product name and active constituents), and
(c) the date and time of the application of the pesticide (including the start and finish time), and
(d) if the aircraft has a registration mark, the registration mark of the aircraft, and
(e) if the aircraft does not have a registration mark, the serial number of the aircraft, and
(f) a description of the manner in which, the climatic conditions under which and the equipment by means of which the pesticide was applied, and
(g) a description of the land over which the pesticide was applied (including the address of the land or the particular paddock or part of a paddock) and the order in which each area (such as paddocks or sheds) was subjected to the application of the pesticide, and
(h) a description of the crop in respect of which the pesticide was applied or other situation in which it was used, and
(i) the rate of application of the pesticide and the quantity applied, and
(j) the name, address and contact details of the owner or occupier of the land on which the pesticide was applied.
(5) A record required to be made under this clause must be kept by the holder (or former holder) of the licence for a period of not less than 3 years after the date of the occasion to which the record relates.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—400 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—200 penalty units.
Division 9
General
Division 9 General
Division 9 General
27
Form of licence
27 Form of licence
27 Form of licence
A licence must be in the approved form and must include the following—
(a) the name (and, in the case of a licence granted to an individual, the date of birth) of the person to whom it is granted,
(b) the date of its issue,
(c) a description of the kind of prescribed pesticide work that the licence authorises its holder to do,
(d) a unique identifying number,
(e) the expiry date of the licence,
(f) any conditions attached to the licence (other than conditions prescribed by this Regulation),
(g) in the case of a licence granted to an individual, a photograph of the individual.
28
Duration of licence—the Act, ss 51 and 119(2)(iii) and (vii)
28 Duration of licence—the Act, ss 51 and 119(2)(iii) and (vii)
28 Duration of licence—the Act, ss 51 and 119(2)(iii) and (vii)
(1) An application for a licence or for renewal of a licence must nominate 1 of the following terms of duration for the licence (the nominated term)—
(a) 1 year,
(b) 5 years.
(2) The Environment Protection Authority may grant or renew a licence for—
(a) the nominated term, or
(b) if satisfied that it is in the public interest—a shorter term than the nominated term.
(3) If the Environment Protection Authority grants or renews a licence for a shorter term than the nominated term, the Environment Protection Authority must refund the applicant a proportionate amount of the application fee.
(4) If an application for renewal of a licence has been made but the application is not determined by the Environment Protection Authority before the expiry of the licence, the licence continues in force until the Environment Protection Authority determines the application unless—
(a) the application is withdrawn, or
(b) the licence is sooner suspended or revoked.
(5) For the purposes of subclause (4), the Environment Protection Authority is taken to have determined the application by refusing to renew the licence if the Environment Protection Authority does not renew the licence within 90 days after the application is made.
(6) This clause does not affect the term of a licence granted under the Act and in force immediately before the substitution of this clause by the Pesticides Amendment Regulation 2021.
cl 28: Subst 2021 (694), Sch 2[15].
29
Surrender of licence
29 Surrender of licence
29 Surrender of licence
The holder of a licence may, by notice in the approved form given to the Environment Protection Authority and accompanied by the licence, voluntarily surrender the licence.
30
Replacement of lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed licences
30 Replacement of lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed licences
30 Replacement of lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed licences
(1) The holder of a licence that is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed may apply to the Environment Protection Authority for a replacement licence.
(2) The application—
(a) must be in the approved form, and
(b) must be accompanied by a statutory declaration by the applicant that explains how, or the circumstances in which, the licence was lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, and
(c) must be accompanied by the applicable fee for the replacement of a licence.
(3) Without limiting subclause (2) (a), the approved form may be an electronic form accessible on a publicly available website.
(4) A person who provides the Environment Protection Authority with a statutory declaration containing the particulars required by the approved form is taken to have done so in the approved form.
(5) The Environment Protection Authority may issue a replacement licence if satisfied that the applicant’s licence has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
(6) A licence that is replaced under this clause must provide for the same expiry date as the licence it replaces.
(7) If an application is refused, the Environment Protection Authority must give notice in writing of the refusal, and of the reasons for the refusal, to the applicant.
(8) The holder of a licence that is replaced under this clause—
(a) must surrender the original licence if it is recovered, or
(b) in the case of a damaged licence that is replaced, must surrender the damaged licence.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
(9) Nothing in this clause prevents the Environment Protection Authority from issuing a replacement licence in such other circumstances as it considers appropriate.
(10) The applicable fee for the replacement of a licence is as follows—
(a) for an application made during period 1—$23,
(b) for an application made during period 2 or period 3—$24,
(c) for an application made during period 4 or period 5—$25,
(d) for an application made during period 6—$26.
Part 3
Pesticides to be used by qualified persons
Part 3 Pesticides to be used by qualified persons
Part 3 Pesticides to be used by qualified persons
31
Persons qualified to use pesticides
31 Persons qualified to use pesticides
31 Persons qualified to use pesticides
(1) In this Part, a person is qualified to use a pesticide if the person holds any one or more of the following—
(a) a licence under the Act,
(b) a recognised qualification that was issued to the person within the last 5 years,
(c) a recognised qualification that was issued to the person other than within the last 5 years if, within the last 5 years, the person—
(i) has participated in a quality assurance or stewardship program relating to the use of pesticides, being a program approved by the Environment Protection Authority by notice published in the Gazette, and
(ii) has complied with any conditions required by the notice in relation to that program,
(d) if the pesticide is the subject of a pesticide control order that authorises the use of the pesticide by persons who hold specified qualifications—those qualifications,
(e) if the use of the pesticide is loading or mixing pesticide for the purposes of aerial applicator pilot work—a certificate of completion for the Spraysafe Loader/Mixer Program issued by the Aerial Application Association of Australia.
(2) In this clause—
recognised qualification means a certificate of completion or statement of attainment on completion of a course of study with respect to the use of pesticides—
(a) by a registered training organisation in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework (within the meaning of section 7 of the Higher Education Act 2001), and
(b) in recognition of the person’s satisfactory achievement of specified units of competency or parts of units of competency (being units of competency, or parts of units of competency, that, at the time the prescribed qualification is issued, are approved by the Environment Protection Authority in accordance with Schedule 2).
32
Person must not use pesticide unless qualified
32 Person must not use pesticide unless qualified
32 Person must not use pesticide unless qualified
(1) A person must not use, or employ or engage a person to use, a pesticide in any of the following circumstances unless the person using the pesticide is qualified to use the pesticide—
(a) in the course of carrying on, or working in, a business, educational institution or hospital (whether as principal, contractor or employee, and regardless of whether, in the case of a business, the use of pesticides is a purpose of the business concerned),
(b) in the course of acting as, or for or on behalf of, the landlord of any premises,
(c) in the course of acting for or on behalf of a public authority,
(d) in the course of carrying out pest control operations on a golf course, sporting field or bowling green,
(e) in connection with any agricultural operations (including farming, horticultural or aquacultural operations) or forestry operations.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—400 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—200 penalty units.
(2) Subclause (1) does not apply in any of the following circumstances—
(a) if the person is carrying out prescribed pesticide work in circumstances in which the person is exempted from the requirement to hold a licence to carry out that work,
Note.
See Division 3 of Part 2.
(b) if the pesticide is being used in public baths or in any swimming pool or spa,
(c) if the use of the pesticide by the person is an exempt domestic like use of pesticide,
(d) if the pesticide is anti-fouling pesticide that is contained in a paint that is being applied by the person,
(e) if the pesticide is used in connection with agricultural operations or forestry operations and the person used the pesticide—
(i) by means of hand-held and hand-powered equipment, and
(ii) on no more than 12 days in the previous 12 months (excluding any use to which paragraph (c) applies), and
(iii) under the direct supervision of a supervisor who was qualified to use the pesticide and who selected and prepared the pesticide, tested and calibrated the equipment before it was used, and instructed the person in how to apply the pesticide.
33
Supervision of persons
33 Supervision of persons
33 Supervision of persons
A person must not supervise a person in the use of a pesticide in connection with any agricultural operations or forestry operations unless the person supervising or the person being supervised is qualified to use the pesticide.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
34
Offences with respect to qualifications
34 Offences with respect to qualifications
34 Offences with respect to qualifications
(1) A person who is required to be qualified in respect of the use, or supervision of the use, of a pesticide must, if requested to do so by an authorised officer, produce evidence of the qualification concerned for inspection by the authorised officer.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
(2) A person must not forge or alter evidence of a qualification.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
(3) A person must not falsely represent that he or she is qualified to use a pesticide.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
(4) In this clause, a reference to evidence of a qualification is a reference to—
(a) in the case of a permit or licence, the permit or licence concerned, and
(b) in the case of any other qualification—
(i) a document that is issued to a person as the qualification concerned achieved by that person, or
(ii) a document (including a card) that is issued to the holder of the qualification concerned by a registered training organisation, or other person or body approved by the Environment Protection Authority, as a record or evidence (or both) of the person’s achievement of that qualification.
Part 4
Records relating to use of pesticides
Part 4 Records relating to use of pesticides
Part 4 Records relating to use of pesticides
35
Pesticides used for commercial, agricultural or occupational purposes
35 Pesticides used for commercial, agricultural or occupational purposes
35 Pesticides used for commercial, agricultural or occupational purposes
(1) A person must cause a record to be made, in accordance with this Part, that relates to each occasion on which the person uses a pesticide—
(a) in the course of carrying on a business involving the use of pesticides (regardless of whether that use is the primary purpose of the business concerned), or
(b) in the course of acting as, or for or on behalf of, the landlord of any premises, or
(c) in the course of carrying out fumigation work, ground applicator work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work for fee or reward, or
(d) in the course of acting for or on behalf of a public authority, or
(e) in the course of carrying out pest control operations on a golf course, sporting field or bowling green, or
(f) while treating livestock for ectoparasites by means of a dip bath or by the use of powered spray equipment that is not hand-held, or
(g) while treating harvested horticultural crops (being fruit, vegetables, flowers, nuts and herbs) by means of a dip bath, or
(h) while using any spray equipment to apply a pesticide for horticultural purposes (including the spraying of fallow crop land), but not if—
(i) the application consists of spot spraying that is confined to a small and restricted area on or within a tree crop, and
(ii) the pesticide is applied by hand-held and hand-powered equipment only, and
(iii) the pesticide is applied no closer than 20 metres to a property boundary, or
(i) while using any powered spray equipment to spray crops, fallow crop land or trees in a plantation (including in or around such trees), or
(j) while using powered spray equipment that is mounted on or attached to a vehicle and is not hand-held, or
(k) while applying baits to control vertebrate pests (other than baits that are used to control rodents in or around buildings used as part of agricultural operations).
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—400 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—200 penalty units.
(2) Subclause (1) does not apply—
(a) if the use of the pesticide is in public baths or in any swimming pool or spa, or
(b) if the use of the pesticide is an exempt domestic like use of pesticide, but not if the pesticide is used in the course of pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work and is of a kind that is ordinarily used in the course of such work, or
(c) if a record of the use of the pesticide is required to be kept under clause 26 (Records of aerial application of pesticides).
(3) If a pesticide is being applied by a person on behalf of a public authority by hand or hand-held applicator under the supervision or direction of a supervisor who has responsibility for the operations, the supervisor is taken to be the person using the pesticide for the purposes of subclause (1).
cl 35: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[16] [17].
36
Information to be contained in record
36 Information to be contained in record
36 Information to be contained in record
(1) A record required to be made under this Part must contain the following information—
(a) the full product name of the pesticide applied,
(b) the date on which the pesticide was applied,
(c) a description of the crop in respect of which the pesticide was applied or other situation in which it was used,
(d) the rate of application of the pesticide and the quantity applied,
(e) the address of the property and the delineation of the area in which the pesticide was released,
(f) the name, address and contact details of the person who applied the pesticide or, if the pesticide was applied by a person employed to apply the pesticide, the name of the employee and the name, address and contact details of the employer,
(g) if, because of clause 35 (3), the record is required to be made by a supervisor—the name of each person who used the pesticide under the supervision or direction of the supervisor,
(h) if the pesticide is applied outdoors by means of any spray equipment—
(i) the estimated wind speed and direction at the start of the application and whenever there is any significant change during the application, and
(ii) if other weather conditions (such as temperature, humidity or rainfall conditions) are specified on the pesticide label as being relevant for the proper use of the pesticide—a description of those conditions at the start of the application and whenever there is any significant change during the application.
(2) A record required to be made under this Part must also contain the following information if the person required to make the record is the holder of a licence—
(a) a description of the equipment used to apply the pesticide,
(b) the time of the application of the pesticide (including the start and finish time),
(c) the order in which each area of the land (such as paddocks or sheds) was subjected to the application of the pesticide (but not if the application of the pesticide occurred as part of pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work),
(d) the name, address and contact details of the owner or occupier of the land on which the pesticide was applied (if the information is not the same as the information required by subclause (1) (f)).
(3) The record must be made as soon as practicable after the use of the pesticide concerned and, in any event, no later than 48 hours after the pesticide is used.
(4) The information specified in subclause (2) (d) is not required to be included if the pesticide is applied by or on behalf of an electricity distributor (within the meaning of the Electricity Supply Act 1995) in a remote location where it is not reasonably practicable to identify the owner or occupier of the land.
cl 36: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[18].
37
Keeping and provision of records
37 Keeping and provision of records
37 Keeping and provision of records
(1) A person who is required to make a record under this Part, or who is provided with a record or copy under this clause, must keep the record or copy for a period of not less than 3 years after the date on which the record was made.
(2) However, a person is not required to keep a record but must instead provide the record to the person’s employer if—
(a) the person is employed under a contract of employment, and
(b) the person uses the pesticide in the course of that employment, and
(c) the person is required to make the record under any provision of clause 35 (1) (d)–(k).
(3) A person, who is engaged (other than under a contract of employment) for fee or reward to use a pesticide, who is required to make a record under any provision of clause 35 (1) (c)–(k) must provide a copy of the record to the owner or occupier of the land on which the pesticide was applied if requested to do so by the owner or occupier.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—400 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—200 penalty units.
38
Exemption from record keeping requirements
38 Exemption from record keeping requirements
38 Exemption from record keeping requirements
(1) The Environment Protection Authority may, by notice published in the Gazette, exempt a specified person or specified class of persons from any requirement under this Part.
(2) Without limiting subclause (1), an exemption may relate to particular kinds of information referred to in clause 36.
(3) Before making an exemption under this clause, the Environment Protection Authority is required to consult with such persons or bodies as the Authority considers appropriate (including the representatives of any relevant environmental or industry group).
Part 5
Notification of proposed use of pesticide
Part 5 Notification of proposed use of pesticide
Part 5 Notification of proposed use of pesticide
39
Definitions
39 Definitions
39 Definitions
In this Part—
pesticide use notification plan—see clause 40 (1) (a).
prescribed public place means—
(a) any of the following to which the public is entitled to have access (whether or not on payment of a fee)—
(i) a public garden, picnic area, playground, park, sporting field or oval,
(ii) public land owned or controlled by a public authority (for example, a road verge, rail easement or an easement for electricity purposes or for the purposes of other utilities),
(b) the grounds of any government school (within the meaning of the Education Act 1990) or any establishment maintained by the Technical and Further Education Commission,
but does not include the inside of any building or structure located at such a place.
public authority, in addition to the meaning given by the Act, includes the following—
publish in a newspaper means in a newspaper that is published in print or on a publicly accessible website (or both) and that circulates—
(a) in the case of a public authority that operates throughout the State—generally in the State, or
(b) in the case of a public authority that operates only in a particular local area or local areas—generally in that local area or those local areas, or
(c) in the case of a public authority that is a local council—generally in the local government area of that council.
sensitive place means any of the following—
(a) a school, pre-school, kindergarten or childcare centre,
(b) a hospital, community health centre or nursing home,
(c) any place declared to be a sensitive place by the Environment Protection Authority by order published in the Gazette.
40
Obligations on public authorities concerning use of pesticide
40 Obligations on public authorities concerning use of pesticide
40 Obligations on public authorities concerning use of pesticide
(1) A public authority must not use, or allow any person to use, any pesticide in a prescribed public place that is owned by or is under the control of the public authority unless the public authority has first—
(a) prepared, finalised and notified the Environment Protection Authority of a plan (a pesticide use notification plan) in accordance with this Division, and
(b) given public notice of the proposed use of pesticide in accordance with that plan.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—400 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—200 penalty units.
(2) A public authority may satisfy a requirement under this clause if it prepares and notifies one or more pesticide use notification plans that apply to all prescribed public places that it owns or controls.
(3) Subclause (1) does not apply in respect of the use of pesticide in a prescribed public place that is owned by or is under the control of a public authority if the pesticide is used by another public authority and that other public authority has—
(a) prepared, finalised and notified the Environment Protection Authority of a pesticide use notification plan in accordance with this Division, and
(b) given public notice in accordance with that plan.
(4) Subclause (1) does not apply in relation to the use of pesticide in public baths or in any swimming pool or spa.
41
Contents of pesticide use notification plans
41 Contents of pesticide use notification plans
41 Contents of pesticide use notification plans
(1) A public authority’s pesticide use notification plan—
(a) must set out how and when the public authority will give public notice of the proposed use of pesticides in any prescribed public places, and
(b) must identify where the plan operates, that is, it must identify the categories of prescribed public places in which the public authority proposes to use pesticide or allow its use, and
(c) must identify the categories of, or specific, prescribed public places in respect of which the public authority intends to provide notification of—
(i) all proposed uses of pesticides under the plan, or
(ii) only some proposed uses of pesticides under the plan, and what those uses are, and
(d) must indicate, as a separate item, the special protection measures that will be taken if the pesticide is proposed to be used in a prescribed public place that is adjacent to a sensitive place, and
(e) must identify the categories of people (the affected persons) who regularly use the categories of prescribed public places identified in the plan, and
(f) must estimate the degree of use by affected persons of those categories of prescribed public places, and
(g) must specify how and when the public authority will notify the affected persons of the proposed use of pesticide in the prescribed public places (other than a prescribed public place referred to in paragraph (l)), and
(h) must specify the information that will be provided to the affected persons that are notified, which must include at least the following—
(i) the full product name of the pesticide to be used,
(ii) the purpose for which the pesticide is to be used,
(iii) the dates on which, or the range of dates during which, the pesticide is to be used,
(iv) the places where the pesticide is to be used,
(v) any warnings about limitations on the subsequent use of or entry onto the land if such warnings are specified on the approved label for the pesticide or in the permit for use of the pesticide,
(vi) a contact telephone number or email address for the officer of the public authority whom the affected persons can contact to discuss the notice, and
(i) must specify how and when the public authority will inform the general public (and not just the affected persons) of the plan and its contents, and
(j) must identify by job title or description, and provide the telephone number or email address, of the officer of the public authority whom any member of the public can contact to discuss the plan, and
(k) must, subject to clauses 42 and 43, set out provisions for future reviews of the pesticide use notification plan, including arrangements for public involvement in those reviews, and
(l) must specify the prescribed public places or class of prescribed public places (if any) for which the public authority does not intend to provide notification, and
(m) may set out how and when the public authority will give public notice of its use, or its allowing of the use, of pesticide in places other than prescribed public places.
(2) Without limiting subclause (1) (g), a pesticide use notification plan may provide that the public authority will provide information to affected persons of the proposed use of pesticide in the prescribed public places by a combination of methods and, if the plan does so provide, must specify the information that will be provided by each method.
42
Public consultation on draft pesticide use notification plans
42 Public consultation on draft pesticide use notification plans
42 Public consultation on draft pesticide use notification plans
(1) A public authority that has prepared a draft pesticide use notification plan must prepare a notice advising that the plan has been prepared and publish the notice in a newspaper or in a readily accessible location on its website.
(2) The notice must specify—
(a) the area in which the plan is to operate, and
(b) where a copy of the draft plan will be displayed for the purposes of public inspection, and
(c) the way in which the public may comment on the draft plan, and
(d) the deadline for public comment on the draft plan (which must be at least 4 weeks after the notice is published).
(3) The public authority must make the draft plan available for inspection free of charge at its head office and on its website.
(4) The draft plan must be on display for at least the period commencing on the date on which notice is first given under this clause and ending on the date of the deadline for public comment.
(5) As soon as practicable after the date of the deadline for public comment, the public authority must prepare a final version of the plan, taking into consideration any comments made before the deadline.
43
Giving notice of finalised pesticide use notification plans
43 Giving notice of finalised pesticide use notification plans
43 Giving notice of finalised pesticide use notification plans
(1) A public authority that has prepared a pesticide use notification plan in accordance with this Division must, as soon as practicable after the finalisation of the plan, give notice of the plan—
(a) in writing to the Environment Protection Authority, and
(b) by preparing a notice specifying the area in which the plan is to operate and where copies of the plan will be displayed and publishing the notice—
(i) in the Gazette, and
(ii) in a newspaper or in a readily accessible location on its website.
(2) The public authority must make the plan available for inspection free of charge at its head office and on its website.
44
Amendments to pesticide use notification plans
44 Amendments to pesticide use notification plans
44 Amendments to pesticide use notification plans
A pesticide use notification plan may be amended by another pesticide use notification plan, and any such amending plan must comply with clauses 42 and 43 unless the public authority considers on reasonable grounds that the amendment is not of sufficient substance to warrant public consultation.
(c) in relation to land under company title—land used as common property by the residents or land that no person has an exclusive right to occupy.
pesticide use notice means a notice to a person about the use of a pesticide that includes the following—
(a) the full product name of the pesticide to be used,
(b) the purpose for which the pesticide is to be used,
(c) the dates on which, or the range of dates during which, the pesticide is to be used,
(d) the places where the pesticide is to be used,
(e) the period (if any) during which any affected area should not be entered (but only if the approved label for the pesticide or the permit for use of the pesticide requires that such a period be observed),
(f) the contact details of the person who is to use the pesticide or of his or her office.
residential complex means any multiple occupancy medium-density or high-density residential premises, and includes—
(a) any block of home units, or
(b) any caravan park used for, amongst other purposes, residencies of over 8 weeks’ duration, or
(c) multiple occupancy land under a strata scheme (whether or not the dwellings are separate from each other), or
but does not include residential premises that comprise only 2 dwellings.
cl 45: Am 2021 No 6, Sch 5.13[1][2].
46
Prior notice of use of pesticide in residential complex
46 Prior notice of use of pesticide in residential complex
46 Prior notice of use of pesticide in residential complex
(1) A person who engages a person to carry out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work in any common area of a residential complex must ensure that a pesticide use notice is given at least 5 working days before the proposed use—
(a) to each resident in person or by telephone, post, facsimile transmission or email or by placing the notice in the resident’s letter box or under the resident’s front door, or
(b) by placing the notice in writing—
(i) on the main notice boards at the residential complex (if available), and
(ii) if the pesticide is to be used in a common area within a building—at each entrance to the building concerned, and
(iii) if the pesticide is to be used in a common area outside a building—at each entrance to each building adjoining the common area concerned.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—400 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—200 penalty units.
(2) Notice is not required to be given under this clause if—
(a) the work is to be carried out in an emergency so as to deal with biting or dangerous pests (such as rodents, wasps, bees, venomous spiders, fleas, bird mites or similar creatures), and
(b) the person carrying out the work displays a notice under clause 47 and makes records of the emergency and the use of pesticide.
(2A) Also, notice is not required to be given under this clause if—
(a) the work to be carried out is pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work, and
(b) the work will be carried out by a person specified in clause 12A(1), and
(c) the work will be carried out for a purpose specified in clause 12A(2)(a) or (b).
(3) Without limiting the meaning of the term, a person who engages a person to carry out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work includes the following—
(a) a managing agent of an owners corporation for a strata scheme,
(b) a managing agent for an association for a community scheme,
(c) a park manager for a caravan park,
where that agent or manager, or a member of his or her staff, arranges for a person to carry out the work.
cl 46: Am 2021 (694), Schs 1[9], 2[19]–[21].
47
Notice during use of pesticide in residential complex
47 Notice during use of pesticide in residential complex
47 Notice during use of pesticide in residential complex
(1) A person who carries out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work in the common area of a residential complex must ensure a pesticide use notice is displayed while the work is being carried out and for any period during which the affected area should not be entered (as set out in the notice)—
(a) on the main notice boards at the residential complex (if available), and
(b) if the work is to be carried out in a common area within a building—at each entrance to the building concerned, and
(c) if the work is to be carried out in a common area outside a building—at each entrance to each building adjoining the common area concerned.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—400 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—200 penalty units.
(1A) However, notice is not required to be given under this clause if—
(a) the work being carried out is pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work, and
(b) the work is carried out by a person specified in clause 12A(1), and
(c) the work is carried out for a purpose specified in clause 12A(2)(a) or (b).
(2) This clause does not apply to any second or subsequent installation of pesticide in baits as part of an ongoing baiting program of which notice has been given under this clause.
cl 47: Am 2021 (694), Schs 1[10], 2[22] [23].
48
Prior notice of use of pesticide near sensitive place
48 Prior notice of use of pesticide near sensitive place
48 Prior notice of use of pesticide near sensitive place
(1) A person who carries out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work must ensure that, at least 5 working days before using a pesticide within 20 metres of a sensitive place (other than a hospital), a pesticide use notice is given to the person (or an agent of the person) having the care, control or management of the sensitive place.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—400 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—200 penalty units.
(2) For the purposes of this clause, pesticide is used within 20 metres of a sensitive place if it is used—
(a) within 20 metres of any common boundary between the land on which the pesticide is used and the sensitive place, or
(b) if the sensitive place consists only of a building or part of a building—within 20 metres of the building or part of the building.
(3) A person does not commit an offence under this clause if he or she could not have reasonably known that the place where the pesticide is to be used is within 20 metres of a sensitive place.
(4) Despite subclause (1), a pesticide use notice may be given under this clause immediately before the carrying out of the fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work if—
(a) the work is to be carried out in an emergency so as to deal with biting or dangerous pests (such as rodents, wasps, bees, venomous spiders, fleas, bird mites or similar creatures), and
(b) the person who carries out the work makes records of the emergency and the use of pesticide.
(5) For the purposes of this clause, a pesticide use notice must be given in person or by telephone, post, facsimile transmission or email or by placing the notice in the person’s letter box.
(5A) Notice is not required to be given under this clause if—
(a) the work to be carried out is pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work, and
(b) the work will be carried out by a person specified in clause 12A(1), and
(c) the work will be carried out for a purpose specified in clause 12A(2)(a) or (b).
(6) Nothing in this clause prevents a person who carries out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work from giving any other notice before using a pesticide whether or not within 20 metres of a sensitive place.
(7) In this clause—
using a pesticide means spraying a pesticide outdoors, or injecting a pesticide directly into the ground outdoors.
cl 48: Am 2021 (694), Schs 1[11] [12], 2[24] [25].
49
Notices do not give right to veto use of pesticide
49 Notices do not give right to veto use of pesticide
49 Notices do not give right to veto use of pesticide
Notices given under this Division are for information purposes only and do not give residents or any other persons any additional rights with respect to the use of the pesticide.
50
Provision of safety data sheet
50 Provision of safety data sheet
50 Provision of safety data sheet
(1) A person who carries out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work must ensure that any person who is required to be notified under this Division in relation to the use of a pesticide is given a copy of the safety data sheet for the pesticide as soon as practicable after the person requests that sheet.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—30 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—15 penalty units.
(1) If a pesticide use notice is given in person or by telephone, the person giving the notice must make a record of the giving of the notice.
(2) A person who is required by this Division to give or display any pesticide use notice or make any record must keep a copy of the notice or record for at least 3 years.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—100 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—50 penalty units.
Part 6
Records
Part 6 Records
Part 6 Records
52
Form of records
52 Form of records
52 Form of records
(1) Records that are made or kept under this Regulation must be legible and in the English language.
(2) Records may be in written or electronic form.
53
Records may be integrated with other records
53 Records may be integrated with other records
53 Records may be integrated with other records
Records that are required to be made and kept under this Regulation may be integrated with other records under this Regulation or with any other records, including those that are required to be made and kept under any other Act or law.
54
Records to be provided to authorised officer on request
54 Records to be provided to authorised officer on request
54 Records to be provided to authorised officer on request
A person required to keep a record under this Regulation must, on the request of an authorised officer, provide the authorised officer with a copy of the record within a reasonable period that is specified in the request.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—400 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—200 penalty units.
55
Records must not include false or misleading information
55 Records must not include false or misleading information
55 Records must not include false or misleading information
A person must not, in any record required to be made under this Regulation, make any statement, or include any information, that is false or misleading in a material particular.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—400 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—200 penalty units.
Part 7
Miscellaneous
Part 7 Miscellaneous
Part 7 Miscellaneous
56
Prohibited residues
56 Prohibited residues
56 Prohibited residues
(1) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of agricultural produce in section 63 (1) of the Act, the following are prescribed as agricultural produce—
(a) any produce of a kind referred to in Schedule 20 or 21 of the Food Standards Code and any vegetation from which produce of a kind so referred to is obtained,
(b) any produce, other than produce referred to in paragraph (a), of a kind referred to in the second column of Table 1 or 4 of the MRL Standard and any vegetation from which produce of a kind so referred to is obtained.
(2) For the purposes of section 63 (2) (a) of the Act, the following are prescribed substances—
(a) a substance referred to in Schedule 20 or 21 of the Food Standards Code,
(b) a substance specified in the first column of Table 1 or 4 of the MRL Standard.
(3) For the purposes of section 63 (2) (a) of the Act—
(a) the concentration of a prescribed substance specified in Schedule 20 or 21 of the Food Standards Code in respect of any agricultural produce is prescribed as the maximum permissible concentration of that substance in respect of that produce, and
(b) the concentration of a prescribed substance specified in the third column of Table 1 or 4 to the MRL standard in respect of any agricultural produce is prescribed as the maximum permissible concentration of that substance in respect of that produce.
(4) If there is an inconsistency between the maximum permissible concentration prescribed by subclause (3) (a) and the maximum permissible concentration prescribed by subclause (3) (b) in respect of the same prescribed substance and agricultural produce, the maximum permissible concentration prescribed by subclause (3) (a) prevails.
Exemption—possession of unregistered pesticide—the Act, s 117
56A Exemption—possession of unregistered pesticide—the Act, s 117
56A Exemption—possession of unregistered pesticide—the Act, s 117
(1) This clause applies to a person who possesses a pesticide the registration of which has ended or been suspended or cancelled.
(2) This clause does not apply if the person is authorised by a permit to possess the unregistered pesticide.
(3) In relation to the pesticide, the person is exempt from the requirement under the Act, section 12(1) not to possess an unregistered pesticide if—
(a) the person does not use the pesticide, and
(b) the person stores the pesticide in a way that does not endanger human health or the environment, and
(c) within a reasonable time after the registration of the pesticide ended or was suspended or cancelled, the person makes, or has made, arrangements to lawfully dispose of the pesticide.
(4) The exemption in subclause (3) ceases to apply if the unregistered pesticide is not lawfully disposed of within a reasonable time after the registration of the pesticide ended or was suspended or cancelled.
cll 56A: Ins 2021 (694), Sch 1[13].
56B
Exemption—storage of unregistered pesticide—the Act, s 117
56B Exemption—storage of unregistered pesticide—the Act, s 117
56B Exemption—storage of unregistered pesticide—the Act, s 117
(1) This clause applies to a person who is storing a pesticide the registration of which has ended or been suspended or cancelled.
(2) This clause does not apply if the person is authorised by a permit to store the unregistered pesticide.
(3) In relation to the pesticide, the person is exempt from the requirement under the Act, section 13(1) not to use an unregistered pesticide if—
(a) the person does not use the pesticide, and
(b) the person stores the pesticide in a way that does not endanger human health or the environment, and
(c) within a reasonable time after the registration ends or is suspended or cancelled, the person makes, or has made, arrangements to lawfully dispose of the pesticide.
(4) The exemption in subclause (3) ceases to apply if the unregistered pesticide is not lawfully disposed of within a reasonable time after the registration of the pesticide ended or was suspended or cancelled.
cll 56B: Ins 2021 (694), Sch 1[13].
57
Exemption—using pesticide contrary to approved label—the Act, s 117
57 Exemption—using pesticide contrary to approved label—the Act, s 117
57 Exemption—using pesticide contrary to approved label—the Act, s 117
A person is exempt from the requirement under the Act, section 15(1) not to use a registered pesticide in contravention of an instruction on an approved label for the pesticide if the pesticide—
(a) is used to control a weed or pest other than a weed or pest of a kind specified by the label, and
(b) is not used to control a pest that is a vertebrate animal, and
(c) is used in compliance with all other instructions on the label.
cl 57: Subst 2021 (694), Sch 1[14].
58
Prescribed fees for clean-up and prevention notices
58 Prescribed fees for clean-up and prevention notices
58 Prescribed fees for clean-up and prevention notices
(1) The purpose of this clause is to prescribe fees for the purposes of sections 22 (2) and 27 (2) of the Act.
This Regulation is the Pesticides Regulation 2017.
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
This Regulation commences on 1 September 2017 and is required to be published on the NSW legislation website.
Note.
This Regulation replaces the Pesticides Regulation 2009, which is repealed on 1 September 2017 by section 10 (2) of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1989.
3 Definitions
3 Definitions
3 Definitions
(1) In this Regulation—
Aerial Application Association of Australia means Aerial Application Association of Australia Ltd (ACN 002 501 886).
exempt domestic like use of pesticide—see clause 4.
fumigant means the following—
(a) a chemical declared to be a fumigant by the Environment Protection Authority by order published in the Gazette,
(b) before 1 July 2018—a fumigant within the meaning of the Pesticides Regulation 2009 immediately before the repeal of that Regulation,
(c) on or after 1 July 2018—a chemical listed in Schedule 1.
fumigation work—see clause 6.
ground applicator work—see clause 6.
period 1 means on or after 1 September 2017 but before 1 July 2018.
period 2 means on or after 1 July 2018 but before 1 July 2019.
period 3 means on or after 1 July 2019 but before 1 July 2020.
period 4 means on or after 1 July 2020 but before 1 July 2021.
period 5 means on or after 1 July 2021 but before 1 July 2022.
period 6 means on or after 1 July 2022.
pest management technician work—see clause 6.
powered spray equipment means spray equipment that is powered otherwise than by human energy.
lists specific fumigants captured by the Regulation (Sch 1);
prescribes penalties, penalty notice amounts and the penalty‑notice scheme for defined offences (Schedule 3 and various maximum penalties in the body of the Regulation).
The Regulation interlocks with the Pesticides Act 1999 (the Act) by elaborating definitions, qualifications and processes referenced to sections of the Act (see cl 3 definition of "the Act" and many cross‑references such as cl 6 note referencing s 45 of the Act). It also cross‑references Commonwealth aviation regulatory instruments for commercial and RPA pilot qualifications (cl 19), the Food Standards Code and MRL Standard for residue definitions (cl 56), and the Work Health and Safety Regulation definition for safety data sheets (cl 50). Several transitional saving provisions and temporal phases are included (cl 3 period definitions; Sch 4), and amendments and insertions are reflected across the text (for example, multiple clauses marked "Am 2021", and cl 59 repealed by 2020 No 30).
All obligations and discretionary powers given to the EPA are expressed in the Regulation (for example, EPA may exempt classes of persons from licensing by written order (cl 8); EPA may approve units of competency (Sch 2)). The Regulation prescribes procedural detail (forms, timeframes, content lists, retention periods and prescribed fees) that determine operational compliance requirements for businesses, public authorities, trainees, supervisors and licence applicants.
Main concepts
The Regulation organises its controls around the following core legal concepts, each defined and operationalised in the clauses and schedules.
Prescribed pesticide work and licence kinds (cl 6-7)
"Prescribed pesticide work" enumerates activities that, by definition, require a licence under the Act for carrying out that work (cl 6(1)). The list is granular: aerial applicator pilot work (piloting an aircraft to apply pesticide), RPA applicator pilot work (remote piloting an unmanned aircraft to apply pesticide), fumigation work (use of fumigants except single‑use canisters for sterilising fumigants), ground applicator work (use of pesticides other than fumigants to control weeds or pests affecting plants or soil but excluding certain agricultural uses), pest management technician work, and timber pest management technician work (cl 6(1)(a)-(h)). For each prescribed work the corresponding licence kind is set out (cl 7).
Exemptions (Div 3)
The EPA can exempt persons or classes from licensing requirements by written order (cl 8). Statutory standalone exemptions include: newly qualified persons can carry out work for a limited time before licence issue (cl 9), persons selling/testing/disposing of plant for servicing purposes (cl 10), on‑farm fumigation by owner/occupier under label instructions (cl 11), and domestic‑style uses sold at retail within prescribed quantity thresholds (cl 4, cl 12). There are also exemptions for operations connected to waterproofing work under the Home Building Act (cl 12A) and staged transitional exemptions (Sch 4).
Qualification and competency framework (cl 19, Sch 2, cl 31)
The Regulation links licence eligibility to recognised qualifications (cl 19, cl 31). For aviation licences it requires Commonwealth pilot licences with endorsements or certifications (cl 19(3)-(6)). For technician and fumigator licences it sets a competency standard based on the National Standard for Licensing Pest Management Technicians or EPA‑determined equivalent (cl 19(7), (7A)). The EPA may publish qualification determination notices in the Gazette to add or vary acceptable qualifications (cl 19(9)-(13)). The EPA also approves units of competency from relevant Training Packages (Sch 2).
Trainees, supervisors and training permits (cls 13-16)
Trainees are unqualified persons aged 17 or over engaged in approved courses; they may carry out specified work with a training permit (cl 5, cl 13). Training permits require application and fee (cl 13(2)-(3)); trainees and supervisors must maintain and check records (cls 14-16), with defined offences and penalty unit maxima for failures (cls 14-16).
Record keeping and notification (Parts 4-6)
Detailed record content, retention periods and time limits are prescribed. For aerial and RPA business licences, record content and 48‑hour filing rules are specified (cl 26). General commercial/agricultural/occupational pesticide uses require records with defined fields (cl 35-36), to be kept for at least three years (cl 37). Public authorities must prepare pesticide use notification plans that identify categories of places, affected persons and notification modalities (cl 40-41), and must consult the public before finalisation (cl 42-43). Private persons are required to notify residents in residential complexes and those in charge of sensitive places with minimum lead times (cl 46-48).
Enforcement and penalties (Schedule 3, multiple clauses)
The Regulation lists maximum criminal penalties in many clauses (for example, cl 14 maximum 20 penalty units; cl 15 up to 100 penalty units) and prescribes penalty notice fines for specified offences in Schedule 3 (Schedule 3, cl 1). The EPA has functions to accept and publish qualification notices, determine fees, and grant exemptions (various clauses).
Technical lists and references (Sch 1, Sch 2, cl 56)
Schedule 1 is a closed list of chemicals classified as fumigants (for example, methyl bromide, chloropicrin), which affects whether certain uses require fumigator licences or fall under fumigation work (Sch 1; cl 3(1) definition of "fumigant"). Clause 56 ties pesticide residue concepts to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and the MRL Standard, prescribing maximum permissible concentrations and identifying the residue standards that apply to agricultural produce (cl 56).
Temporal structure and transitional arrangements (cl 3 period definitions, Sch 4)
The Regulation uses defined "period" dates to stage fee levels and transitional exemptions (cl 3; Sch 4). Transitional savings carry forward licences existing under the 2009 Regulation into the new regime (Sch 4, cls 1-2), and clause 4 of Sch 4 defers the training permit requirement until 1 July 2018.
Interoperability with other regulatory systems
Aviation authority licences under the Commonwealth Civil Aviation Act and related regulations are treated as qualifications for aerial and RPA licences (cl 19(3)-(6), cl 19A, cl 23A). The Home Building Act is referenced for waterproofing exceptions (cl 12A). The Food Standards Code and MRL Standard inform residue limits (cl 56). Safety data sheet meaning is adopted from Work Health and Safety Regulation (cl 50).
The Regulation therefore combines competency‑based licensing with activity‑specific record and notification regimes, with EPA discretion to refine competency approvals and to grant exemptions, and with specified criminal and penalty‑notice sanctions for non‑compliance.
Who it affects
This Regulation affects several identifiable groups and, in practical terms, assigns obligations, rights and decision‑points among them.
Licence holders and licence applicants
Individuals and businesses that carry out prescribed pesticide work must hold the relevant licence unless an exemption applies (cl 6, cl 7). This group includes aerial applicator pilots and businesses, RPA applicator pilots and businesses, fumigators, ground applicators, pest management technicians and timber pest management technicians (cl 7). The qualification rules (cl 19) determine who may apply and what supporting documentation must be provided (cl 18).
Employers, contractors and persons engaging pesticide users
A person who employs or engages a person to use pesticides in business, education, public authority work or agricultural operations must ensure that the person using the pesticide is qualified (cl 32(1)). Where work is performed by employees, the employer (or person engaging the worker) has direct obligations to ensure qualifications and to keep records (cl 32(1), cl 35(1)(a), cl 36(1)(f)).
Trainees and supervisors
Unqualified persons aged 17 or older enrolled in approved training can obtain a training permit and carry out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work as trainees under supervision (cl 13(1)-(2)). The person responsible for the trainee (employer, principal under contract, training provider or other person arranging the work) must ensure supervision, training and record keeping (cl 15). Supervisors must be licensed for the work being supervised and must directly supervise, unless competency assessments justify less direct supervision (cl 15(1)(a), cl 16(1)).
Public authorities
Public authorities that own or control prescribed public places must have a pesticide use notification plan and must give public notice before using pesticides on those places (cl 40(1)-(3), cl 41). The Regulation expressly expands the statutory meaning of "public authority" to include Ministers, specified electricity network State‑owned corporations and, from 1 July 2018, Universities (cl 39 definitions).
Residents, property owners and affected persons
The Regulation imposes notification obligations on those who arrange fumigation and other technician work in common areas of residential complexes, with prescribed notice methods and minimum timeframes (cl 46-47). Persons in charge of sensitive places must be given prior notice if pesticide use is planned within 20 metres (cl 48). The records for aerial applications must be provided to the owner or occupier where requested (cl 26(3)).
Aviation industry and RPA operators
Holders of Commonwealth commercial pilot licences with aerial application ratings, Air Operator’s Certificates and remote pilot licences are the primary pool from which aerial and RPA licence applicants will be drawn (cl 19(3)-(6), cl 19A). The Regulation creates a specific exemption route for small excluded RPAs used only on land owned by the operator (cl 19A), and imposes additional licence conditions on RPA licences held by persons without a Commonwealth remote pilot licence (cl 23A).
Registered training organisations and competency providers
Recognised qualifications must be issued by registered training organisations under the Australian Qualifications Framework and must comprise units of competency approved by the EPA (cl 31(2); Sch 2). The EPA has procedural obligations when approving such units (Sch 2, cls 1-7).
Environmental and public health regulators, authorised officers and the EPA
The EPA exercises determination and discretionary functions under this Regulation: granting exemptions (cl 8), publishing qualification determinations (cl 19(9)-(12)), approving units of competency (Sch 2), accepting training permit applications and fees (cl 13), and handling licence applications and renewals (cls 17-18, 24). Authorised officers are empowered to request evidence of qualification and to request records under cl 34(1) and cl 54.
Businesses servicing plant or equipment, electricians and other trade operators
Clause 10 and clause 12A create targeted exemptions: persons selling, testing, maintaining or disposing of plant may carry out certain pesticide work without a licence (cl 10); persons authorised under the Home Building Act to carry out waterproofing may perform specified pesticide‑containing waterproofing work under supervision without a pest management technician or timber pest management technician licence (cl 12A).
Operators and owners of land used for agriculture or forestry
Agricultural land owners or occupiers have limited on‑farm exemptions for fumigants used in stored product pest control or vertebrate pest control (cl 11), and various agricultural uses are carved out from prescribed pesticide work when performed by owners/occupiers or employees in the course of agricultural activities (cl 6(2)(a)). However, many agricultural and horticultural operations remain captured by the record and qualification provisions of Part 4 (cl 35).
Persons in possession or storing unregistered pesticides
Clauses 56A and 56B provide narrowly framed exemptions from offences under the Act in relation to possession and storage of unregistered pesticides where the person does not use the pesticide, stores it safely and arranges lawful disposal within a reasonable time (cls 56A-56B).
Legal advisors, compliance officers and insurers
The Regulation prescribes specific procedural forms, timelines and evidentiary records (forms to be in approved form where indicated, cl 22(4), cl 24(3)(a), cl 30(2)(a)) that create compliance tasks and potential exposure to penalty unit fines and penalty notices listed in Schedule 3.
In sum, the Regulation allocates compliance costs (licensing, training, record keeping, notification) across operators, employers and public authorities, and assigns enforcement functions to the EPA and authorised officers. Parties who store or use pesticides commercially, operate aerial or RPA pesticide services, supervise trainees, run public authorities with prescribed public places, or engage in pest management in residential complexes are directly affected by the Regulation’s operative requirements and prescribed penalties.
Key duties and rights
This section organises the principal statutory duties and rights created by the Regulation, citing the operative clauses that establish them.
Duty to hold an appropriate licence or be otherwise qualified
Prescribed pesticide work requires a licence under the Act and the kinds of work that are prescribed by regulation are listed in cl 6. The corresponding licence kinds are listed in cl 7. The duty that a person must not use a pesticide unless qualified is expressed in cl 32(1): a person must not use or employ another to use a pesticide in business, as a landlord, for a public authority, on sports surfaces, or in connection with agricultural/forestry operations unless the person using the pesticide is qualified (cl 32(1)). Maximum penalties for breach are stated in cl 32(1).
Qualification definitions and proof
The Regulation defines when a person is "qualified to use a pesticide" (cl 31(1)), including holding a licence under the Act, holding a recognised qualification issued within the last 5 years, or older qualifications combined with participation in an EPA‑approved quality assurance program (cl 31(1)(a)-(c)). For aerial loading/mixing there is a specific certificate (cl 31(1)(e)). An authorised officer may require production of evidence of qualification (cl 34(1)); the Regulation criminalises forging or altering evidence and false claims of qualification (cl 34(2)-(3)).
Employer and engager obligations
The employer or person engaging pesticide users must ensure those users are qualified (cl 32(1)). When supervisors authorise trainees to perform certain work, the person responsible for the trainee must ensure supervision is direct (unless competency has been established), provide training and ensure emergency remedial action (cl 15(1)(a)-(d)). Supervisors must directly supervise trainees unless a lesser degree of supervision is justified and must sign and check records (cl 16(1)-(2)).
Trainee and training permit duties
An unqualified person may act as a trainee under a training permit for up to two years (cl 13(1)), provided they carry out work as part of an approved course, under a supervisor and keep detailed records (cl 13(1)(b)-(d); cl 14). Training permits are applied for in an approved form, supported by identity and qualification evidence and payment of fees (cl 13(2)-(3)). The EPA may waive, remit or refund fees at its discretion (cl 13(4)).
Record keeping and disclosure duties
Persons carrying out a broad range of commercial, agricultural or occupational pesticide uses must make records as prescribed in Part 4 (cl 35(1)-(2)). The Regulation prescribes the precise content of records (cl 36(1)-(2)), timing (as soon as practicable and no later than 48 hours in several specified contexts, cl 26(4), cl 36(3)), retention (minimum 3 years, cl 26(5), cl 37(1), cl 51(2)), and obligations to provide records to owners/occupiers or authorised officers upon request (cl 26(3), cl 54). The Regulation also makes it an offence to include false or misleading information in any required record (cl 55).
Notification duties
Public authorities must prepare, finalise and notify the EPA of pesticide use notification plans before using pesticides in prescribed public places that they own or control, and must give public notice in accordance with those plans (cl 40(1)-(3)). The content of plans is detailed in cl 41, including identification of places, affected persons, special protection measures adjacent to sensitive places, and methods of notification. Public authorities must carry out public consultation on draft plans (cl 42) and give notice of finalised plans to the EPA, the Gazette and other public channels (cl 43). Private persons must provide notice in residential complexes (cl 46), post notices while work is being carried out (cl 47), and give prior notice when pesticide work is within 20 metres of a sensitive place (cl 48).
Aerial and RPA specific duties
Holders of aerial applicator and RPA applicator business licences must record each occasion an aircraft was used to apply pesticide, with specified data fields, make the record no later than 48 hours after the application and keep records for at least three years (cl 26(2), (4)-(5)). They must provide records to owners/occupiers on request (cl 26(3)).
Rights to exemptions and EPA discretion
The EPA may exempt specified persons or classes from licensing requirements (cl 8), may approve and vary units of competency and qualifications (cl 19(9)-(13); Sch 2), may waive or reduce fees (cls 13(4), 17(2), 24(6)), and may grant replacement licences and vary licence terms (cl 30, cl 28(2)). Specific statutory exemptions exist (for example, on‑farm fumigation when used under the approved label, cl 11; domestic‑like retail products within quantity limits, cl 4 and cl 12; waterproofing exceptions under the Home Building Act, cl 12A; temporary possession/storage of unregistered pesticides if arranging lawful disposal, cls 56A-56B).
Penalties and enforcement mechanics
The Regulation prescribes maximum criminal penalties in many provisions (for example, cl 14 maximum 20 penalty units, cl 15 maximum 100 penalty units), and Schedule 3 lists the penalty notice offences and stated penalty notice amounts (Schedule 3, cl 1). Authorised officers are empowered to request evidence of qualification and to request records (cl 34(1), cl 54). Certain notifications do not confer a veto right; notices are informational (cl 49).
Procedural duties on applicants and licence holders
Applications for licences and renewals must be in approved form and accompanied by specified supporting information (cl 18, cl 24(3)). Licence forms must include specific elements (cl 27). Licence applicants must nominate a term (1 year or 5 years) and the EPA may grant shorter terms in the public interest and refund the surplus fee proportionally (cl 28(1)-(3)). Holders must notify the EPA if they cease to hold prescribed qualifications for certain licence kinds (cl 22(2)-(3), cl 25(2)).
Together, these duties create compliance pathways (licensing, certification, supervision, record keeping, notification) and a set of discretionary EPA powers (exemptions, fee remissions, qualification approvals) that shape who must act, how and within what timeframes.
Penalties and enforcement
The Regulation establishes a multi‑layered enforcement architecture consisting of criminal penalties (expressed as penalty units), a defined scheme of penalty notices with specified monetary amounts (Schedule 3), and powers for authorised officers to request evidence and records (cl 34(1), cl 54). The EPA’s administrative discretion to refuse or require surrender of licences, to issue notices and determinations, and to publish qualification notices, also shapes enforcement.
Criminal penalties and specified maxima
Many clauses include explicit maximum penalties in penalty units. Representative examples from the Regulation include:
Trainee record keeping: failure to keep required records under cl 14 carries a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units (cl 14).
Obligations of persons responsible for trainees: failure to ensure supervision, training and remedial action under cl 15(1) carries a maximum penalty of 100 penalty units; the requirement to ensure trainee record keeping in cl 15(2) carries a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units (cl 15).
Supervisor obligations: direct supervision and record checking/signing requirements carry a maximum penalty of 100 penalty units for cl 16(1) and 20 penalty units for cl 16(2) (cl 16).
Record keeping for aerial application: failure to make required aerial application records, and failure to keep them for the required period, are subject to maximum penalties (cl 26(2), (5): corporations 400 penalty units, individuals 200 penalty units).
General offences: Schedule 3 items reference statutory offences under the Act and corresponding penalties (Schedule 3 lists many Act sections and Regulation clauses with associated penalty notice amounts).
Penalty notice regime and prescribed amounts
Schedule 3 lists offences for which a penalty notice may be issued and specifies the monetary amount payable by an individual or corporation (Schedule 3, cl 1). The schedule applies to offences against the Act and offences against this Regulation and states amounts (for example, Clause 32(1) is included in the Schedule as an offence carrying a $500 (individual) / $1,000 (corporation) penalty notice; many other specified Regulation clauses carry $125 to $750 amounts depending on the offence). Schedule 3 also contains a clause directing that the schedule applies for the purposes of s 76 of the Act (Schedule 3, cl 1(1)(a)-(b)).
Enforcement procedures and authorised officers
The Regulation requires persons to produce evidence of qualification when requested by an authorised officer (cl 34(1)). It requires persons required to keep records to provide copies to authorised officers within a reasonable period specified in the request (cl 54). The Regulation criminalises false or misleading information in required records (cl 55) and the forging or altering of qualification evidence (cl 34(2)).
Administrative enforcement by EPA
The EPA exercises discretionary administrative powers with enforcement consequences. It may exempt persons or classes from licensing requirements (cl 8), may refuse or grant licences, require surrender of existing licences as a condition of renewal (cl 24(4)), and may refuse replacement licence applications (cl 30(7) requires the EPA to give written notice of refusal and reasons). It may determine qualification equivalence or add qualifications by Gazette notice (cl 19(9)-(13)), and it may approve units of competency and revoke those approvals (Sch 2, cls 1, 7). Fees and their remission or waiver fall within EPA discretion (cls 13(4), 17(2), 24(6)).
Civil and administrative consequences (record retention and access)
The Regulation requires long retention periods (generally at least 3 years for many types of records, cl 26(5), cl 37(1), cl 51(2)). Failure to keep or produce these records can attract either a criminal maximum penalty or a penalty notice under Schedule 3. For aerial application records, the Regulation also mandates the content and a 48‑hour time limit for making the record (cl 26(4)).
Interaction with the Act’s enforcement tools
Schedule 3 is structured for use under s 76 of the Act (Schedule 3, cl 1(1)), which indicates that the penalty notice process operates alongside the Act’s enforcement framework. The Regulation also cross‑references Act provisions that carry separate enforcement mechanisms (for example the Act’s licensing offences referenced in cl 6 note and Schedule 3).
Penalty structure observations grounded in the text
The Regulation deploys a mix of relatively modest penalty‑notice fines for procedural breaches (for instance, $125-$500 for certain notice and record offences in Schedule 3) and larger criminal maximum penalties for substantive failures (for example, 200-400 penalty units for serious record‑keeping failures and for unlicensed use in specified contexts). Several offences are available to be dealt with by penalty notice rather than prosecution (Schedule 3).
Practical enforcement triggers in the text
Authorised officer requests for production of qualification evidence and records are explicit triggers for enforcement action (cl 34(1), cl 54). Public authorities’ failure to have or to implement pesticide use notification plans carries specified maximum penalties (cl 40(1)). Failure to notify residents or to display notices in residential complexes is a discrete offence with maximum penalties (cl 46(1), cl 47(1)). Inclusion of false or misleading information in any required record is a standalone offence (cl 55).
In short, the Regulation uses a layered enforcement structure combining administrative discretion, mandatory record access by authorised officers, criminal maximum penalties expressed in penalty units and a schedule of penalty‑notice amounts for lower‑level breaches. The EPA is the central administrative decision‑maker with delegated powers to set qualifications, exemptions and fees, and the authorised officer powers are the operational enforcement lever for checking compliance.
How it interacts with other laws
The Regulation is designed to operate within a broader legal ecosystem and explicitly cross‑references multiple other NSW and Commonwealth instruments, creating direct linkages and dependent compliance obligations.
Pesticides Act 1999 (the Act)
The Regulation is subordinate to and operates to provide particulars for the Act. Numerous clauses reference procedural and substantive sections of the Act: the list of prescribed pesticide work is prescribed for the purposes of s 5A of the Act (cl 6 note); licence kinds are prescribed for s 46 of the Act (cl 7); prescribed qualifications for the purposes of s 49(2)(b) of the Act are set out in cl 19; prescribed fees for the purposes of s 47(2)(b) are set out in cl 17; the duration and renewal rules reference ss 51 and 119(2)(iii) and (vii) of the Act (cl 28). Schedule 3 is applied for the purposes of s 76 of the Act (Schedule 3, cl 1). The Regulation also states it is applying exemptions under s 117 of the Act in specific clauses (for example, cls 12A, 56A, 56B, 57 are headed with "the Act, s 117").
Commonwealth aviation law (Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Safety Regulations)
Qualifications for aerial applicator and RPA licences refer to Commonwealth aviation licences and endorsements. Cl 19(3) requires a current commercial pilot licence with an aerial application rating and endorsement issued under the Civil Aviation Act for an aerial applicator pilot licence and refers to Subpart 61.R of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. Cl 19(4) and cl 19(6) require an Air Operator’s Certificate and an RPA operator’s certificate under the Civil Aviation Act for business licences. Clause 19A and cl 23A condition RPA licences when the holder does not hold a Commonwealth remote pilot licence, expressly invoking the definition of "excluded RPA" in regulation 101.237 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.
Home Building Act 1989 (NSW)
Clause 12A creates an exemption tied to contractor licences, endorsed contractor licences, owner‑builder permits or supervisor certificates under the Home Building Act that authorise waterproofing. The exemption permits persons authorised under the Home Building Act to carry out certain waterproofing operations involving pesticides without a pest management technician or timber pest management technician licence (cl 12A(1)-(2)).
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and MRL Standard
Clause 56 prescribes which agricultural produce and substances are relevant for the purposes of section 63 of the Act, and ties maximum permissible concentrations to Schedule 20 or 21 of the Food Standards Code and to Table 1 or 4 of the MRL Standard published by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The Regulation therefore embeds national residue standards into the NSW pesticide regulatory framework (cl 56(1)-(3)).
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (definition of safety data sheet)
The definition of "safety data sheet" used in cl 50 is adopted from the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 for the purpose of the Regulation's obligation to provide SDSs to notified persons (cl 50(2)).
Subordinate Legislation Act and repeal/transition
Clause 2 notes the Regulation replaces the Pesticides Regulation 2009 and is required to be published on the NSW legislation website, with the repeal of the 2009 Regulation effected by the Subordinate Legislation Act 1989 (cl 2). Schedule 4 contains savings and transitional provisions that preserve acts and licences under the repealed 2009 Regulation, except certain exemptions (Sch 4, cl 1-2).
Training and qualifications frameworks
Recognised qualifications must be issued by registered training organisations under the Australian Qualifications Framework, referring to Commonwealth legislation (cl 31(2)). Schedule 2 sets out procedural requirements for EPA approval of units of competency, referencing Training Packages endorsed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee.
Other NSW legislation (Education Act, National Parks and Wildlife Act, Electricity Supply Act)
Definitions used to identify prescribed public places and sensitive places refer to various NSW Acts. For instance, public gardens and school grounds are included under the definition of prescribed public place (cl 39). Clause 36(4) provides a narrow exception for electricity distributors under the Electricity Supply Act 1995 in remote locations where owner/occupier identification is not reasonably practicable.
Practical effects of cross‑references
The Regulation creates compliance obligations that require operators to hold qualifications under Commonwealth aviation regulations, training packages, and NSW building licences in some contexts. It also draws on national residue and safety standards and embeds those standards in enforcement under the Act and Regulation (cl 56, cl 50). Where other statutory licences or approvals are prerequisites (for example aviation), compliance responsibility is split between the federal regime (pilot/air operator/RPA certificates) and the EPA licence regime (cl 19, cl 19A, cl 23A).
The net effect is a regulatory architecture that integrates NSW pesticide regulatory requirements with national aviation, training, workplace safety and food residue regimes, thereby creating a compliance footprint that intersects multiple statutory systems and administrative agencies.
Amendment history
The Regulation’s text shows a number of post‑promulgation amendments and repeals recorded within the body of the document, which materially affect qualifications, exemptions, periods and administrative detail. The Regulatory notes within the clauses identify the statutory instruments and years of amendment; the text supplied contains the following internal amendment signals.
Commencement and replacement of earlier Regulation
The Regulation commenced on 1 September 2017 and replaced the Pesticides Regulation 2009, which was repealed on the same date by operation of s 10(2) of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1989 (cl 2).
2020 repeal entry
Clause 59 is marked as repealed by 2020 No 30, Sch 1.32[1] (cl 59 note).
Multiple clauses carry amendment notes "Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[...]" or "Ins 2021 (694), Sch 1[...]". The effect of the 2021 amendments, as evidenced by clause notes, includes:
Amendments to cl 3 (definition notes) (cl 3 note).
Insertions and amendments to qualification and licence provisions (cl 6 amendments, cl 7 amended, cl 5 amended) (cl 6, cl 7, cl 5 notes).
Introduction of the waterproofing exemption clause 12A (Ins 2021 (694), Sch 1[2]) and additional modifications to Division 3, training and trainee requirements (cl 12A; cl 13 amended).
Amendments to the prescribed qualifications (cl 19) and inclusion of clause 19A (Ins 2021 (694), Sch 1[7]) providing a narrow exemption from the Commonwealth remote pilot licence requirement for RPA applicator pilot licences for excluded RPAs used only on the person’s own land.
Inserted clause 23A, imposing a special condition on RPA licences held by persons who do not hold a Commonwealth remote pilot licence, limiting operations to excluded RPAs on the holder’s land (cl 23A).
Substitution of clause 28 (Duration of licence) to reflect policy on licence terms and refunding overpaid fees for shorter terms (cl 28 Subst 2021 (694), Sch 2[15]).
Changes to various fee schedules and fee amounts listed in clauses 13, 17, 24 and 30 (cls 13, 17, 24, 30 notes).
New exemptions and transitional provisions in Sch 4, updating timber pest management rules and transitional arrangements (Sch 4, cl 5).
Insertions of clauses 56A and 56B (Ins 2021 (694), Sch 1[13]) dealing with possession and storage of unregistered pesticides and clause 57 substitution (Subst 2021 (694), Sch 1[14]) allowing certain off‑label uses for weed control where consistent with other labelling instructions.
Temporal "period" adjustments and fee staging
Clause 3 defines a sequence of "periods" (period 1 through period 6) that are used in fee tables and transitional clauses (cl 3). Clauses 13, 17, 24 and 30 show fee schedules keyed to these periods, demonstrating staged fee changes timed through the periods.
Transitional savings and transitional licence mapping
Schedule 4 contains savings and transitional provisions (Sch 4), including:
Continuation of acts and licences that had effect under the repealed 2009 Regulation (Sch 4, cl 1), with specified exceptions.
A mapping from existing 2009 licences to 2017 Regulation licences so holders of existing licences were taken to hold the corresponding licence under the new Regulation for the same period and conditions (Sch 4, cl 2).
A temporary exemption for ground applicator work carried out before 1 July 2018 (Sch 4, cl 3).
Deferral of the training permit requirement until after 1 July 2018 (Sch 4, cl 4).
Transitional arrangements for pest management technicians performing timber pest management work until specified relevant days (Sch 4, cl 5), where the "relevant day" is linked to the holder's licence expiry or the date 17 December 2023.
Publication and Gazette mechanisms
Sch 2 and cl 19 provide that qualification determination notices and approvals of units of competency must be published in the Gazette to take effect (cl 19(11); Sch 2(5)). The EPA must keep copies available for public inspection (Sch 2(6)). These procedural amendment pathways permit the EPA to extend or limit recognised qualifications without primary‑legislation change.
Taken together, the internal amendment notes and the transitional schedule indicate that the Regulation has been updated since 2017, notably in 2020 (a repeal entry) and with a suite of substantive changes effected in 2021 (Ins/Am 2021 (694) references). Key areas changed in 2021 include RPA rules, waterproofing exemptions, temporary storage/possession of unregistered pesticides, qualification details, fee levels and licence renewal/refund mechanics. The Regulation itself records these changes rather than providing an external consolidated history; the clause notes show where each insertion, substitution or amendment occurred.
Litigation history
The text of the Regulation does not identify or catalogue any judicial decisions, statutory appeals or litigation outcomes concerning its interpretation or application. There are no case names, reported decisions or tribunal determinations referenced within the body of the Regulation or in the schedules provided. The Regulation instead structures enforcement around administrative powers (EPA exemptions, approvals and determinations; authorised officer evidence and record requests) and the penalty notice / prosecution framework set out in Schedule 3 and the Act.
Practical implications for litigation risk and administrative reviews can, however, be inferred from the text of the instrument itself:
Administrative decisions by the EPA, such as refusal to grant a licence or to issue a replacement licence (cl 30(7)), or determinations about qualification equivalence (cl 19(9)-(13); Sch 2), are statutory acts that could be subject to judicial review under general administrative law principles, but no specific appeal mechanism is set out in the Regulation itself.
Many obligations engage factual questions and operational discretion that could prompt compliance disputes or prosecutions where record keeping or notification obligations are contested (for example cl 26 record content and time limits; cl 41 plan content; cl 46-48 notices). The Regulation prescribes evidentiary documents (approved forms, records, training permits), and authorised officers may request inspection (cl 34(1), cl 54), which suggests enforcement action will rely heavily on documentary proof.
The Regulation provides for penalty notice dispositions for many offences (Schedule 3), which allows compliance breaches to be resolved by payment of specified amounts rather than full criminal prosecution in many instances; contested penalty notices could give rise to litigation or internal review in practice, although the Regulation itself does not prescribe the internal review path beyond the application of s 76 of the Act.
Because no judicial or tribunal decisions are cited in the Regulation, any litigation history relevant to interpretation or enforcement would need to be sourced from external case law and court records. The Regulation itself does not supply that material.
Gotchas
The Regulation contains several detailed or non‑intuitive provisions that create specific compliance traps or operational subtleties. These are items that practical operators, advisers and compliance officers commonly need to watch for.
"Use" does not include "store"
The statutory definition in cl 3 notes that "use does not include store." This is salient because separate exemptions deal with possession and storage of unregistered pesticides (cls 56A-56B). Persons who merely store unregistered pesticides have a narrowly framed exemption (56B) provided they do not use the pesticide and they arrange lawful disposal within a reasonable time. Conversely, use triggers a more stringent licensing and qualification regime (cl 32). Practitioners should not conflate storage and use without checking the particular clause.
Exempt domestic‑like use has volume and application constraints
The "exempt domestic like use of pesticide" regime is limited not just by the retail availability and ordinary domestic use of the product, but by strict quantity thresholds and application method. Outdoor "ready‑to‑use" products are limited to 20 litres/kilograms, outdoor concentrates to 5 litres/kilograms; indoor ready‑to‑use limit is 5 litres/kilograms and concentrated indoor 1 litre/kilogram (cl 4). The exemption also requires hand or hand‑held application. Exceeding these limits converts an otherwise domestic use into activity possibly requiring licensing and record keeping.
Aerial and RPA records have tight timeframes and content specificity
Holders of aerial applicator business licences and RPA applicator business licences must create a record for each aircraft application no later than 48 hours after the pesticide is used, and the record must contain an extensive list of fields (cl 26(4)). Failure to create, to supply on request, or to retain the records for three years attracts substantial maximum penalties (cl 26(2), (3), (5)). The list includes climatic conditions and the order in which areas were treated, which can be operationally burdensome when multiple paddocks are treated in quick succession.
Training permit timing and transitional delay
The training permit requirement for trainees (cl 13(1)(a)) was deferred by Sch 4 cl 4 until after 1 July 2018. Where an adviser examines historical actions, this transition matters: persons who did trainee‑style work before the effective date may have been outside the permit requirement. The Regulation also provides a "newly qualified" exemption allowing a newly qualified person to carry out work for up to 60 days after obtaining a prescribed licence qualification while their EPA application is processed (cl 9), but that exemption depends on timely application within the 60‑day window.
RPA contrivances and limited exemptions
Clause 19A creates a narrow qualification exemption for an RPA applicator pilot licence if the operator will only use an "excluded RPA" and only on land they own or occupy (cl 19A(a)-(b)). Clause 23A then imposes a licence condition that such holders are only authorised to operate excluded RPAs on their own land (cl 23A). The combined effect is that certain low‑risk RPA uses are carved out, but only in tightly confined circumstances; diverging from those narrow boundaries (for example, undertaking paid contract work off the holder’s land) removes the exemption and will require full Commonwealth remote pilot licensing as well as EPA licensing.
Notices do not confer veto or legal rights beyond information
Clause 49 explicitly states that notices given under Part 5 are for information purposes only and do not give residents or others any additional rights with respect to the pesticide use. Thus, a compliant notice does not grant any third party a statutory right to stop the work; in practice, concerns about notification will not operate as a statutory right to veto. Nevertheless, failure to provide required notices remains an offence (cl 46(1), cl 47(1), cl 48(1)).
Off‑label weed control permitted in narrow circumstances
Clause 57 is a statutory exemption from the Act’s prohibition on using a registered pesticide contrary to an approved label where the pesticide is used to control a weed or pest not specified on the label, provided the pest is not a vertebrate and all other label instructions are complied with (cl 57(a)-(c)). This does not extend to vertebrate control and does not displace other regulatory obligations, so off‑label weed control remains constrained.
Recordkeeping overlaps and duplication
The Regulation permits records required under this Regulation to be integrated with other records, including those required under other Acts (cl 53). While this allows administrative efficiency, it also creates a compliance overlap risk where the integrated record must meet the specific content and retention requirements of multiple instruments (for example, cl 36 content plus aviation record detail in cl 26), and omission to include any required field may amount to an offence (cl 55).
EPA discretion in approving competency units and qualifications
The EPA is given broad power to approve units of competency and parts of units for recognised qualifications (Sch 2). Approvals take effect on publication in the Gazette (Sch 2(5)), and the EPA may revoke approvals (Sch 2(7)). This means qualification availability can change administratively without legislative amendment, and practitioners must monitor the Gazette for competency approvals and revocations that affect licence eligibility.
Record timing differences across clauses
The Regulation sets different timing rules depending on activity: aerial application records must be made as soon as practicable and no later than 48 hours (cl 26(4)); general records under cl 36 must be made as soon as practicable and no later than 48 hours (cl 36(3)). Notices in residential complexes and notices to sensitive places generally require at least five working days’ notice (cl 46(1), cl 48(1)), but emergency exceptions exist where immediate action is necessary (cl 46(2), cl 48(4)). Practitioners must maintain granular compliance calendars matched to the relevant clause.
Fees tied to defined "periods"
Application, renewal and replacement licence fees are tied to a periodic timeline defined in cl 3 (periods 1-6), and amounts vary by period across clauses 13, 17, 24 and cl 30(10). This staging means fee levels have changed over time and current compliance cost assessments must use the fee amount applicable to the current period.
Retention of paper/electronic records and English language requirement
Records must be legible and in English (cl 52) and may be kept in electronic form (cl 52(2)); however, authorised officers may request copies within specified reasonable periods (cl 54). Electronic record keeping must still meet content and legibility standards.
These "gotchas" are concrete traps embedded in the Regulation text. They show where operational practices must be carefully mapped to individual clauses to avoid inadvertent breaches producing criminal penalties or penalty notices.
How to comply
This section sets out a concrete compliance checklist aligned to the Regulation’s operative clauses. It is arranged as actionable steps with the clause citations that set the obligation and suggested practices to operationalise compliance.
Determine if the activity is prescribed pesticide work
Check cl 6 to see whether the activity is listed as prescribed pesticide work (aerial applicator pilot work, RPA pilot work, fumigation work, ground applicator work, pest management technician work, timber pest management technician work). If the activity is not listed, check cl 6(2) for exclusions (for example, certain agricultural activities, amenity horticulture, water treatment, etc).
Ascertain licensing and qualification requirements
If the activity is prescribed, identify the corresponding licence kind in cl 7 and the prescribed licence qualification in cl 19. For aerial/RPA work, confirm Commonwealth aviation licences or certificates under the Civil Aviation Act are held as required (cl 19(3)-(6)), or whether the limited cl 19A exemption applies (excluded RPAs on owner/occupier land).
For fumigators and pest management technicians, ensure competence meets the National Standard for Licensing Pest Management Technicians or equivalent standards approved by EPA (cl 19(7)-(7A)).
Obtain and retain documentary evidence
When applying for a licence, provide identity and qualification evidence as prescribed by cl 18 and use approved forms where required (cl 24(3)(a)). Keep the licence in approved form containing the required particulars per cl 27 (name, DOB, description of work authorised, unique ID, expiry date, conditions, photograph for individuals).
For trainees and supervisors, secure permits and set procedures
If engaging trainees for fumigation, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work, obtain a training permit from the EPA (cl 13(2)), pay the applicable fee (cl 13(3)), and ensure the trainee is enrolled in an approved course and supervised by a licensed supervisor (cl 13(1)(b)-(c); cl 15(1)(a)). Maintain a record of trainee activities per cl 14 and have supervisors check and sign those records on each date of work (cl 16(2)). Implement direct supervision policies unless competency assessments justify otherwise (cl 15(1)(b), cl 16(1)).
Implement records systems mapped to clause lists and retention periods
For all prescribed commercial/agricultural/occupational pesticide uses, implement a record template that meets cl 36(1) and cl 36(2) (product name, date, crop/situation, rate and quantity, property address and delineation, applicator and employer details, climatic conditions for outdoor spray equipment, equipment description, times, order of areas treated, and owner/occupier contact details).
For aerial and RPA business licences, ensure the additional data fields of cl 26(4) are recorded (pilot name and address, pesticides and constituents, date/time including start/finish, aircraft registration or serial number, manner and climatic conditions, description of land treated and order, crop description, rate and quantities, owner/occupier contact) and that records are made as soon as practicable and in any event within 48 hours (cl 26(4)-(5)).
Retain records for at least three years (cl 26(5), cl 37(1), cl 51(2)). Ensure records are legible and in English (cl 52).
Prepare and maintain notification processes for public authorities
If a public authority owns or controls a prescribed public place, create, consult on and finalise a pesticide use notification plan following cl 41-43. That plan
spray equipment means any device or apparatus that distributes pesticide through the air, and includes powered spray equipment.
the Act means the Pesticides Act 1999.
timber pest management technician work—see clause 6.
use does not include store.
Note.
The Act and the Interpretation Act 1987 contain definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Regulation.
(2) Notes included in this Regulation do not form part of this Regulation.
cl 3: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[1].
4 Exempt domestic like use of pesticide
4 Exempt domestic like use of pesticide
4 Exempt domestic like use of pesticide
The use of a pesticide by a person is an exempt domestic like use of pesticide for the purposes of this Regulation if the pesticide is, or is part of, a product that is widely available to the general public at retail outlets, is ordinarily used for domestic purposes (including home gardening), is being applied by hand or hand-held applicator and—
(a) if the product is being used outdoors—no more than 20 litres or 20 kilograms of “ready-to-use” product or 5 litres or 5 kilograms of concentrated product is being used, or
(b) if the product is being used indoors—no more than 5 litres or 5 kilograms of “ready-to-use” product or 1 litre or 1 kilogram of concentrated product is being used.
Part 2 Licences
Part 2 Licences
Part 2 Licences
Division 1 Preliminary
Division 1 Preliminary
Division 1 Preliminary
5 Definitions
5 Definitions
5 Definitions
In this Part—
aerial applicator business—see clause 6.
aerial applicator pilot work—see clause 6.
agricultural activities includes the following—
(a) horticulture activities,
(b) husbandry (such as the keeping or breeding of livestock, poultry or bees),
(c) the growing of fruit, vegetables or other crops,
(d) the processing or storing of agricultural products, but only when carried on in connection with another agricultural activity.
approved means approved by the Environment Protection Authority from time to time.
course of training, in relation to prescribed pesticide work, means a course of training the completion of which is required in order for a person to obtain the prescribed licence qualification for a licence to carry out the work.
National Standard for Licensing Pest Management Technicians means the document entitled National Standard for Licensing Pest Management Technicians published in 1999 by the National Environmental Health Forum (National Environmental Health Monographs General Series No 4).
person responsible for a trainee carrying out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work means—
(a) in the case of a trainee who is carrying out the work as an employee—the trainee’s employer, or
(b) in the case of a trainee who is carrying out the work under contract as an independent contractor—the person for whom he or she is carrying out the work under that contract, or
(c) in the case of a trainee who is carrying out the work while engaged in a course of training for that work—the person conducting the course, or
(d) in the case of a trainee who is carrying out the work under an arrangement with some other person (whether or not for reward) otherwise than as referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c)—that other person.
prescribed licence qualification, in relation to a kind of licence, means the qualification prescribed by, or determined in accordance with, clause 19 for that licence.
RPA applicator business—see clause 6.
RPA applicator pilot work—see clause 6.
supervisor, in relation to a trainee, means a person who is designated as the supervisor of the trainee by the person responsible for the trainee carrying out fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work.
trainee, in relation to fumigation work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work, means an unqualified person who is—
(a) engaged in a course of training for the work, and
(b) of or above the age of 17 years.
unqualified person, in relation to prescribed pesticide work, means a person who does not hold the prescribed licence qualification for a licence to carry out such work.
cl 5: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[2].
Division 2 Licensing requirements
Division 2 Licensing requirements
Division 2 Licensing requirements
6 Kinds of prescribed pesticide work
6 Kinds of prescribed pesticide work
6 Kinds of prescribed pesticide work
(1) Each of the following is prescribed for the purposes of section 5A of the Act as prescribed pesticide work—
(a) aerial applicator pilot work—being the piloting by an individual of an aircraft that is being used to apply a pesticide to property (whether or not for fee or reward),
(b) aerial applicator business—being a business carried on for aerial applicator pilot work,
(c) RPA applicator pilot work—being the remote piloting by an individual of an unmanned aircraft that is being used to apply a pesticide to property (whether or not for fee or reward),
(d) RPA applicator business—being a business carried on for RPA applicator pilot work,
(e) fumigation work—being the use by an individual of fumigants (other than sterilising fumigants applied from single use canisters) for the prevention, control or eradication of pests for fee or reward or for a public authority (whether or not for fee or reward),
(f) ground applicator work—being the use by an individual of pesticides (other than fumigants) for the control of weeds or of pests affecting plants or soil for fee or reward, but it does not include—
(i) aerial applicator pilot work, or
(ii) RPA applicator pilot work, or
(iii) fumigation work, or
(iv) the use of pesticide on land owned or occupied by the person using the pesticide or by a relative (within the meaning of the Adoption Act 2000) of the person,
(g) pest management technician work—being the use by an individual of pesticides (other than restricted pesticides used to control vertebrates or fumigants) for the prevention, control or eradication of pests for fee or reward or for a public authority (whether or not for fee or reward) but it does not include—
(i) aerial applicator pilot work, or
(ii) RPA applicator pilot work, or
(iii) fumigation work, or
(iv) ground applicator work, or
(v) timber pest management technician work,
(h) timber pest management technician work—being the use by an individual of pesticides, other than restricted pesticides used to control vertebrates or fumigants, for the prevention, control or eradication of pests that attack, infest or destroy timber or timber products for fee or reward or for a public authority, whether or not for fee or reward, but it does not include—
(i) aerial applicator work, or
(ii) RPA applicator pilot work, or
(iii) fumigation work, or
(iv) ground applicator work, or
(v) pest management technician work.
Note—
The Act, section 45 sets out the requirement for a licence to carry out prescribed pesticide work.
(2) Despite subclause (1), each of the following uses of pesticides is not prescribed pesticide work if the use does not occur in connection with the piloting or use of an aircraft—
(a) the use on land of pesticides by an individual who is the owner or occupier of the land (or who is the employee of such a person) in connection with agricultural activities on that land,
(b) the use of pesticides by an individual for amenity horticulture purposes (such as ground or garden maintenance, landscaping, floriculture, arboriculture or the operations of a nursery),
(c) the use of pesticides by an individual for bush care purposes,
(d) the use of pesticides by an individual for the purposes of water treatment (including the treatment of water in pools and spas),
(e) the application of paint by an individual that contains anti-fouling pesticides,
(f) the use of pesticides by an individual to treat or prevent an ectoparasitic infestation,
(g) the use of pesticides by an individual to treat or preserve timber at a treatment plant.
(3) A business is carried on for aerial applicator pilot work or RPA applicator pilot work if—
(a) a business is carried on by a person (other than a public authority) and the person—
(i) employs or engages an individual to carry out that work for the business, or
(ii) carries out that work as a self-employed individual, or
(b) a public authority employs or engages an individual to carry out that work for it.
cl 6: Am 2021 (694), Schs 1[1], 2[3] [4].
7 Kinds of licences
7 Kinds of licences
7 Kinds of licences
For the purposes of section 46 of the Act, each of the following licences is prescribed as a kind of licence that authorises its holder to carry out the prescribed pesticide work specified—
(a) aerial applicator pilot licence—aerial applicator pilot work,
(b) aerial applicator business licence—aerial applicator business,
(c) RPA applicator pilot licence—RPA applicator pilot work,
(d) RPA applicator business licence—RPA applicator business,
(e) fumigator licence—fumigation work,
(f) pest management technician licence—pest management technician work,
(h) timber pest management technician licence—pest management technician work and timber pest management technician work.
cl 7: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[5].
Division 3 Exemptions
Division 3 Exemptions
Division 3 Exemptions
pt.2-div.3-sdiv.1 Exemptions generally
pt.2-div.3-sdiv.1 Exemptions generally
Subdivision 1 Exemptions generally
8 Exemptions granted by Environment Protection Authority
8 Exemptions granted by Environment Protection Authority
8 Exemptions granted by Environment Protection Authority
(1) The Environment Protection Authority may, by order in writing, exempt a specified person or class of persons from any of the licensing requirements.
(2) An order that exempts a class of persons from any of the licensing requirements must be published in the Gazette.
(3) An exemption from licensing requirements granted under this clause is subject to such conditions (if any) as may be specified in the order.
(4) In this clause—
licensing requirements means—
(a) the provisions of Division 1 of Part 6 of the Act, and
(b) the provisions of this Part.
9 Exemption—newly qualified persons
9 Exemption—newly qualified persons
9 Exemption—newly qualified persons
A person who has obtained the prescribed licence qualification for a fumigator licence, pest management technician licence, timber pest management technician licence or ground applicator licence may carry out work authorised by the particular licence without holding the licence—
(a) until 60 days after obtaining the qualification, or
(b) if the person applies to the Environment Protection Authority for the licence within that 60-day period—
(i) until the person is issued with a licence, or
(ii) until 14 days after the person receives notice that the application has been refused.
cl 9: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[6].
10 Exemption—persons selling, testing, maintaining or disposing of plant
10 Exemption—persons selling, testing, maintaining or disposing of plant
10 Exemption—persons selling, testing, maintaining or disposing of plant
A person may carry out fumigation work, ground applicator work, pest management technician work or timber pest management technician work without a licence if the work is carried out solely for the purpose of selling, testing, maintaining (including servicing or repairing) or disposing of plant (which includes any machinery, equipment or appliance).
cl 10: Am 2021 (694), Sch 2[7].
11 Exemption—on-farm use of fumigants
11 Exemption—on-farm use of fumigants
11 Exemption—on-farm use of fumigants
A person may carry out fumigation work on land used for an agricultural activity without a licence if—
(a) the person is the owner or occupier of the land or an employee of the owner or occupier, and
(b) the fumigation work is carried out in connection with the agricultural activity for the control of insect pests in stored products or for the control of rabbits, mice or rats, and
(c) the fumigation work is carried out in compliance with the instructions on the approved label for the pesticide being used.
12 Exemption—exempt domestic like use of pesticide
12 Exemption—exempt domestic like use of pesticide
12 Exemption—exempt domestic like use of pesticide
A person may carry out work that is exempt domestic like use of pesticide without a licence if the use of the pesticide is for the control of weeds or the control of pests that affect plants or soil.
12A Exemption—waterproofing products containing pesticides—the Act, s 117
12A Exemption—waterproofing p
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