Fireworks regulations in Australia: pyrotechnician licences and display notifications state by state

Australia has no federal law on fireworks displays. Each state applies its own explosives or dangerous goods legislation: the Explosives Act 2003 and Explosives Regulation 2013 in New South Wales (SafeWork NSW), the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 and Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2022 in Victoria (WorkSafe Victoria), the Explosives Act 1999 and Explosives Regulation 2017 in Queensland (Explosives Inspectorate, Resources Safety & Health Queensland), the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 and Dangerous Goods Safety (Explosives) Regulations 2007 in Western Australia (Dangerous Goods Safety Branch, WorkSafe WA).

The regulator licenses the pyrotechnician and records or approves the display; the local council, police and fire services are notified and may object. Western Australia has the strongest permit model: the fireworks event permit is issued by the Dangerous Goods Safety Branch after input from the council, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the police. States not covered here (South Australia, Tasmania, the territories) have their own regimes to confirm with their regulator.

In New South Wales the licence holder notifies SafeWork NSW at least seven working days before the display and may not fire without its written acknowledgement (Notification of Fireworks Display, prefix NFD); the council is notified at least seven working days ahead, police and fire services (Fire and Rescue NSW or the Rural Fire Service) at least two working days ahead. In Victoria the pyrotechnician gives WorkSafe at least seven days' notice through myWorkSafe and notifies the council, shire and fire authority within the same period; WorkSafe does not approve but assesses the plan.

In Queensland the fireworks contractor notifies the Explosives Inspectorate through the RSHQ Portal at least seven days ahead (fourteen days for a moving platform), attaches a firing site plan and files a post-display report within seven days (Explosives Regulation 2017, sections 169 and 171). In Western Australia the fireworks event permit application must reach the regulator at least fourteen days before the date, with a late fee inside two weeks, after notifying the police, DFES, the local government and, where the site requires it, CASA, at least seven days ahead.

Licences are always personal. In NSW the pyrotechnician's licence covers ground displays, theatrical and close-proximity effects, Chinese string fireworks, aerial shells up to 300 mm and aerial salutes up to 75 mm; it requires being 18, a security clearance and use only at organised public events supported by the council. The fireworks (single use) licence, limited to four occasions in any twelve-month period, is for organisers trained by a pyrotechnician.

Queensland pairs two licences: the fireworks contractor, who plans the display, buys the fireworks and carries responsibility, and the fireworks operator, who sets up and fires under the contractor's supervision; both require a Queensland Explosives Security Clearance and training with the approved provider. The contractor licence costs $489.80 for one year or $1,469.39 for three years excluding GST from 1 July 2026. Western Australia runs a fireworks operator licence, a fireworks contractor licence and a pyrotechnics (special use) licence for theatre, issued for five years to individuals only.

Fireworks are Class 1 explosives under the UN system; their transport follows the Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail (3rd edition), adopted by the states, and AS 2187 (Part 1 for storage, Part 4 for outdoor displays). Above 500 kg gross or 250 kg net explosive quantity, the code refers consignors to the local competent authority for classification of the load.

NSW operational conditions cap storage at a residential address at 50 kg net explosive quantity, forbid the licence holder from transporting or storing beyond Category 1 (low-risk) quantities without separate authorisation, and allow possession only within five working days of the display, with return to the supplier within five working days if it is cancelled. A dated record (location, personnel, quantities and types, incidents, misfires) is mandatory.

In NSW the minimum exclusion zones for an outdoor display run from 10 to 30 m for ground fireworks depending on type, and for aerial shells from 30 m below 75 mm to 200 m at 300 mm; at least 50 m from residences and vehicles, 250 m from places of public assembly and 500 m from animal facilities, the last two reducible with written approval. At least two competent adults on site.

In Victoria separation distances are set in regulation 156 of the Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2022; where the site cannot meet them, written approval is requested from WorkSafe with the notification, and written notice to the water authority is due seven days ahead near a port or river. In Queensland the Queensland code of practice: Control of outdoor fireworks displays sets the zones; in Western Australia the site plan attached to the permit shows separation distances and exclusion zones.

Liability insurance is required everywhere, even for a charity event: NSW requires it for every display without fixing an amount in its conditions, Queensland asks for the public risk policy with the contractor licence application, and Western Australia requires a minimum of five million Australian dollars (AUD 5,000,000) to lodge a fireworks event permit. Councils may ask to be named as additional insured.

Australian invoicing runs on the ABN and 10% GST on services; GST registration is compulsory above $75,000 annual turnover. No e-invoicing is imposed on private businesses, although the Peppol network is used by government agencies. Contracts include cancellation terms for total fire bans and wind, common in summer.

PyroDesk stores each file's state-specific notification deadlines (7 working days NSW, 7 days Victoria, 7 or 14 days Queensland, 14 days WA) and flags them in the schedule with the documents to attach. Quotes and contracts come out in English with insurance and fire-ban clauses, finger-signed on the portal.

Stock tracks net explosive quantity per item to respect storage caps and prepare transport documents under the AE Code. The firing plan applies exclusion zones by shell size, and the 3D simulation supplies the picture councils and regulators increasingly ask for alongside the site plan. The dated display record required in NSW (location, crew, quantities, incidents) is generated from the firing plan once the show is marked as fired.