Pest Control Licensing
Pest Management Technicians across Australia are required to follow national and state regulations to operate their own business for commercial or domestic pest control and fumigation. All such individuals and businesses are required to comply with the Pesticides Act 1999 and make sure that their work practices cause minimum harm to the environment and to the community. It is also important to comply with the requirements of the Pesticides Regulation 2009. The Pesticides Act is administered by the EPA (Environment Protection Authority).
To sum up the regulations as relevant for pest management professionals, they must:
only use pesticides that are approved by the APVMA (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority) maintain records of applications obtain an APVMA permit if they wish to use a pesticide in uses that the label does not cover prevent harm to non-target animals and plants, prevent damage to property and the community
Non-compliance with these laws and state laws can lead to heavy fines and penalties. The legal definition of pesticides may cover a wide range of substances including baits, bactericides, herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, lures, repellants etc.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources also has strict regulations on the use of fumigants like methyl bromide. Fumigators must also obtain licenses issued by the relevant body and renew their license before expiry.
It is important to be informed about the licensing regulations of the state in which a pesticide technician or fumigator prefers to practice. This article takes a look at pest control license information Australia, for all the eight states and territories.
Pest Control Licensing Regulations in New South Wales
In (http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/pesticides/pest-fumigator-licence.htm) Pest control regulations in the state is governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 NSW.
Quick licensing facts:
The state offers licenses authorized by the EPA for fumigators and pest management technicians. SafeWork NSW regulates fumigators and technicians on health and safety, and is no longer the licensing body. Those who use pesticides in agriculture, water treatment, horticulture, timber treatment plants and certain other entities do not need licensing. New South Wales doesn’t need business registration NSW doesn’t issue trainee permits. Fines up to $120,000 for individuals and $250,000 for corporations may be levied for misuse of pesticides.
Pest Control Licensing Regulations in Victoria
<Victoria’s> (https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/environmental-health/pesticide-use-and-pest-control/legislation-and-licensing-pest-control/pest-control-licence-application) Health (Pest Control) Regulations 2002 lays out the guidelines for licensing in Victoria.
Quick licensing facts:
Three types of licenses are issued – technician, trainee and interstate operator. The Victoria Government Department of Human Services issues licenses for domestic and commercial premise pest control. Agricultural, fumigation, horticultural licenses are issued by the Victoria Government Department of Primary Industry. Businesses don’t require registration. Individuals may obtain a fully qualified technician license (valid for 3 years), a trainee license (valid for 12 months) to work under the supervision of a fully qualified technician, or a license to operate in Victoria despite residence in another Australian state or territory (valid for 3 years).