Hazardous chemicals notifications

If you store, handle or process Schedule 11 hazardous chemicals (dangerous goods) that exceed the quantities specified in the legislation, then you must notify us.

Notification is crucial to the provision of an effective emergency response by Fire and Rescue NSW.

The quantities at which notification, placards and manifests are required are contained in schedule 11 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.

WHS legislation refer to dangerous goods by the new term 'hazardous chemicals'.

The table below summarises what you must do when hazardous chemicals are used, handled or stored in excess of the manifest quantities in schedule 11.

Certain types of chemicals may also require you to complete a Major Hazard Facility notification.

Online hazardous chemical notification form

Situation What you must provide
You start using, storing or handling hazardous chemicals.
  • Completed notification form.
  • A list for each storage area for Schedule 11 chemicals.
  • Develop a site plan of the workplace.
  • Lodge an emergency plan to Fire and Rescue NSW.
There is a significant change to the quantity, location and the way that chemicals are stored.
  • Completed notification form with the 'amendment – significant change to a current record' option selected.
  • A list for each storage area for Schedule 11 chemicals.
  • A revised site plan of the workplace.
  • Updated emergency plan to Fire and Rescue NSW.
You stop using, storing or handling hazardous chemicals.
  • Completed notification form with the 'amendment – closure of record' option selected.
  • Advice to Fire and Rescue NSW.
There is an underground, partially underground or fully mounded tank that was used to store flammable gases or liquids but it is no longer used.
  • Completed notification form with the 'amendment – abandonment of tank option' selected.
  • Revised site plan/s if other hazardous chemicals remain on site.
When any of your contact details have changed, including contact number, address, and emergency contact.
  • Completed notification form with the 'amendment – contact details' option
    selected.
When there is a change of ownership of the site.
  • Completed notification form with the 'amendment – new owner' option selected.
When your notification acknowledgement is lost, stolen, destroyed, not received or there was a printing error.
  • Completed notification form with the 'replacement' option selected.

Our guide on notification of hazardous chemicals and abandoned tanks has more information on when to notify us.

We also have a form you can fill out if you want us to search our records to see if there are any hazardous chemicals on a premises (and where on the site they can be found). For example you're buying a property (like an old petrol station) and you want to know if there are any tanks underground.

Notifying process

Schedule 11 hazardous chemicals can be notified online providing:

  • details about the type of site and who occupies the site
  • two emergency contacts
  • a list of each depot, storage or process location where there are hazardous chemicals (dangerous goods)
  • a site plan to identify the places, buildings and structures where there are hazardous chemicals

Note: Internet Explorer version 9 & above, or an alternative web browser is required to notify online.

A hazardous chemicals storage and handling location is any area, building, room or container where hazardous chemicals are present regardless of whether they are stored, handled or processed.

The site plan must contain all of the elements as listed in the notification guide. Locations where there are placard quantities are to be given individual names, or depot numbers, which are to be cross referenced with the storage locations in the site plan.

You may submit multiple site plans if you have a complex site to ensure all the required detail is legible.

The fee for notifying is in our list of fees and charges.

Emergency plan

If you store, handle or process hazardous chemicals (dangerous goods) that exceed the quantities specified in the relevant legislation, you must also develop a written emergency plan and lodge a copy with Fire and Rescue NSW.

The Emergency services information package and tactical fire plans guideline from Fire and Rescue NSW has more information.

The code of practice for managing the work environment and facilities has more information about emergency plans.

Further information

In addition to our guide to notifying, the code of practice for managing the risks of hazardous chemicals has more information about hazardous chemicals and notifications.

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