Licence to purchase chemicals
Answer reviewed 27 February 2023
General chemicals do not require a licence to be held in schools. However, as you have mentioned, there are certain chemicals that have regulations regarding their purchase, use and storage:
- Chemicals which have the potential to be used for illegal purposes, such as the manufacture of drugs or explosives.
- Chemicals which are classified as a poison
These chemicals should be kept to minimum quantities and should be stored securely in order to prevent unauthorised access. Please refer to our information sheet: AIS: School science area security
Regarding licences for purchase of certain chemicals, schools would need to approach their school governing body to determine if relevant licences or permits have been obtained prior to ordering chemicals.
Chemicals of Security Concern
These chemicals should be stored securely to prevent them from being used for illegal purposes, such as the manufacture of drugs or explosives. For many of these chemicals, a permit or end-user declaration (EUD) may be required before purchasing, according to the legislation for your jurisdiction (for example, ammonium nitrate). Further details about these chemicals can be found here:
- http://chemistryaustralia.org.au/
- https://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/protect-your-business/chemical-secur...
Poisons
Some chemicals that are used in schools are classified as poisons and listed in the Poisons Standard in Schedules based on their level of toxicity and their use. Poisons that are commonly used in schools are classified as a Schedule 5 (Caution), Schedule 6 (Poison) and Schedule 7 (Dangerous poison). Further details of the classification of medicines and poisons into schedules can be found in The Poisons Standard also known as The Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP). See https://www.tga.gov.au/how-we-regulate/ingredients-and-scheduling-medici....
The regulation of scheduled poisons is managed by the Health Department in each state and territory of Australia and is likely to have different regulations.
For example, in WA: There is a difference between a permit and a licence. A permit enables the purchase of a poison, but a licence is required to sell a poison.
Advice on the interpretation of The Poisons Schedule and/or the legal requirements in a particular State or Territory may be obtained from the following websites.
- Australian Capital Territory: ACT Health - Pharmaceutical Services (link is external)
- New South Wales: NSW Health pharmaceuticals
- Northern Territory: NT Health medicines and poisons control
- Queensland: Queensland Health - Medicines and poisons: General Approvals
- South Australia: SA Health Medicines and Technologies programs
- Tasmania: Tasmania Department of Health and Human Services - Pharmaceutical Services (link is external)
- Victoria: Victorian Government Health Information - Drugs and poisons regulation in Victoria (link is external)
- Western Australia: Western Australia Department of Health - Pharmaceutical Services Branch (link is external)
References
Australian Government. (2021, November 11). Chemical security. Retrieved from Australian Government, Australian National Security: https://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/protect-your-business/chemical-secur...
Chemistry Australia. (2008). Code of Practice for supply diversion into illicit drug manufacture. Retrieved from Plastics and Chemical Industries Association: http://chemistryaustralia.org.au/
Government of Western Australia Department of Health. (2014 – 2016). Medicines and poisons. Retrieved from Government of Western Australia Department of Health: https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Health-for/Health-professionals/Medicines-a...
NSW Government Department of Health. (2013, August). Guide to the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Legislation for Poisons Licence Holders. Retrieved from NSW Government Department of Health: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/legislation/Pages/health-services-poisons-... PDF version: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/Documents/guide-licencehold...
Australian Government Federal Register of Legislation. (2015). Poisons standard 2015. Retrieved from Australian Government Federal Register of Legislation: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2015L00128
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Therapeutic Goods Administration. (2023, February 1). The Poisons Standard (the SUSMP). Retrieved from Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Therapeutic Goods Administration: https://www.tga.gov.au/how-we-regulate/ingredients-and-scheduling-medici...
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Therapeutic Goods Administration. (2017, November 28). Australian State & Territory regulatory controls on Schedule 7 poisons. Retrieved from Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Therapeutic Goods Administration: https://www.tga.gov.au/how-we-regulate/ingredients-and-scheduling-medici... (Note this contains information for each state and territory)