Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations

Dangerous Goods Act 1985

The purpose of the Act includes

• promoting the safety of people and property in relation to storing, handling, manufacturing, transporting, transferring, selling, importing, disposing of and using dangerous goods, and importing explosives into Victoria
• ensuring associated risks and security concerns are properly managed and incidents are reported immediately to the emergency services and inspectors
• regulating and where necessary preventing the import, export, supply and disposal of dangerous goods
• protecting the health and safety of workers and the general public.

WorkSafe's role

WorkSafe monitors and implements the DG Act. For example we:

• manage licensing for: those handling, storing, selling, importing, exporting, manufacturing, supplying and using high consequence dangerous goods and those storing, selling, importing, using and transporting explosives
• provide guidance and support to occupiers and owners of premises to help them manage risks and security concerns associated with explosives and high consequence dangerous goods
• publish practical guidance about duties and obligations under dangerous goods laws
• when required, prosecute those who are in breach of the Dangerous Goods Act
• implement the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code

Regulations made under the Act

Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2022: sets out the requirements for safely storing and handling dangerous goods.

Dangerous Goods (Transport by Road or Rail) Regulations 2018: sets out the obligations of people involved in transporting dangerous goods by land and gives effect to the standards, requirements and procedures of the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road & Rail (ADG Code)

Dangerous Goods (HCDG) Regulations 2016: explains how to manage risks associated with explosives and high consequent dangerous goods (HCDG) security concerns and how to regulate access to HCDG.

Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2022: explains the obligations for ensuring the safety of people and property in relation to:

• the manufacture, storage, sale, transport, use, disposal and import of explosives
• the management of risks arising out of security concerns associated with explosives
• the safe location of vessels containing explosives while in port
• prohibit the misuse of explosives

Related Acts

The DG Act also has a relationship to the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the National Environment Protection Council (Victoria) Act 1995 for the transportation of prescribed waste or prescribed industrial waste.