You must be trained in pesticide use if your work involves
using pesticides. This includes the use of
- rodenticides (rat poison)
Some occupations that use pesticides include
- farmers, market gardeners, flower growers, ,
landscape gardeners, nursery operators, other occupations selling produce or
- parkland or green keepers
- ground rig operators
- wood preservation operators
- those using pesticides on behalf of a local
council or government agency
If you are a pest management technician, fumigator, ground sprayer or aerial applicator licensed under the Pesticides Act 1999, these training
requirements do not apply to you. There
are other qualification requirements that apply to licensed pesticide users.
Mixing pesticides for application by someone else
You must be trained if
- you mix pesticides for use, for example, adding
water to concentrate
- you calibrate equipment used to apply a pesticide
even if someone else applies the pesticide
Relevant occupations include loader-mixers involved in the
aerial pesticide application industry.
Loader/mixers for aerial operations
If you use pesticides working as a loader or mixer supporting aerial pesticide applications you must have a certificate of completion for the Spraysafe Loader/Mixer Program issued by the Aerial Application Association of Australia
You do not need to do training for loader-mixer works involved in the aerial pesticide application industry if you have completed Spraysafe loader mixer training.
Using pesticides on livestock and domestic animals
You need training if
You do not need to be trained if you only treat livestock
with internal parasite treatments (drenching) or with external parasite
treatments such as backline products that do not require dilution or mixing
with water. These parasite treatments are regarded as stock medicines.
Vets needing training should contact training providers in their
area to discuss undertaking a skills accreditation course or an assessment
course that tests on-job experience and prior learning.
Buying restricted chemical products
The Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority
(APVMA) requires proof of training before you can buy some restricted chemical
products. Contact the APVMA on (02) 6410 4701 for further information.
Volunteers normally must still be trained unless their work falls
under the domestic like use exemption in which case they do not need training.