Frequently Asked Questions – Pesticide Licensing and Registration

Pest management training for new technicians

The nationally recognised training package CPP30119 - Certificate III in Urban Pest Management is approved pest management training in WA. This course supersedes the previous CPP30115 Certificate III in Urban Pest Management.

Any person who wants to become a pest management technician (PMT) in WA needs to complete the appropriate training for the pest treatment activities they will be undertaking (see Training and Endorsements) and will need to obtain a qualification statement to demonstrate competency in the national units of competency required for a pest management technician (PMT) licence.

The practical training and assessment for some units require treatment using pesticides to be done in real workplaces. The Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011 require a person to hold a licence for any pest management treatment.  Therefore, you may need a provisional licence to complete your training. 

Do I need a provisional licence?

A provisional licence is required for any new applicant who wishes to apply for a licence to undertake the pest treatments listed below.  An applicant will need to enrol in the prerequisite units specified for each type of pest treatment activity and successfully complete the theory component before applying for a provisional licence that allows them to complete the practical training and assessment component.  

• commercial domestic pests; with and without termites and timber pests
  CPPUPM3006 Manage pests by applying pesticides
• termite treatment of power poles
  CPPUPM3010 Control timber pests
• feral pigeon control
  CPPUPM3006 Manage pests by applying pesticides
• fumigation
  CPPUPM3011 Manage organisms by applying fumigants to commodities and environments.

Trainees can request a letter from their registered training organisation that confirms completion of the theory component to submit with their application for a provisional licence.

Do I need to be supervised while I have a provisional licence?

Yes. Licensed provisional technicians that are over 18 years of age will be required to work under the supervision of a licensed and experienced PMT endorsed in the same pest treatments for which they are being trained. The first 30 working days of treatments must be under the direct and personal (shoulder-to shoulder) supervision of a licensed PMT.

Where a provisional technician completes their training qualifications within 30 working days, they can apply for a full PMT licence but will need to continue to complete the logbook until they are approved for and receive a full PMT licence.

Provisional technicians who require more than 30 working days to complete their training must still retain a logbook, however, they are permitted to work under general supervision after 30 working days. They are not permitted to work without supervision until they hold a full PMT licence.

Direct and personal supervision is required for employees under 18 years of age at all times. The PMT licensed supervisor will need to sign off all pest management treatments in a log book.  The PMT is responsible for all work for employees under 18 years of age.

Is a logbook required for all provisional licences?

Yes. A logbook is required for all provisional licence employees to provide evidence that treatments were undertaken under the direct and personal supervision of of a licensed and experienced PMT for the first 30 working days and under general supervision after 30 working days. A logbook must document:

• the date
• address/ location of the treatment
• description of the activity(s) and treatments
• name and licence number of person undertaking treatment
• name, licence number and signature of the appropriately licensed supervisor.

Any form of logbook (electronic or hardcopy) is acceptable provided all the information is provided.

The logbook must be maintained until the provisional technician completes their training course and a copy submitted with the Certificate of Attainment listing all the completed units of competency when you apply to upgrade to a full PMT. Provision of a full PMT licence is not dependant on a minimum number of working days.

What does direct and personal supervision mean?

Direct supervision involves "shoulder to shoulder" personal supervision where a provisional licence holder remains within sight and sound of a full licensed PMT.

Do I need a provisional licence if I am adding a new endorsement to my licence?

No. However, you will have a condition on your licence requiring supervision for any treatment that is required as part of your practical assessment in urban pest management, including fumigation. The condition on your licence will remain until you provide evidence that you are competent in all the required training units for the endorsement you seek.

Refer to the Guide to obtaining a pest management technicians licence (PDF 642KB) for course information.

What is the role of the pest management business proprietor?

The proprietor of the pest management businesses has a duty to ensure that provisional licence technicians are supervised by a fully licenced pest management technician qualified and endorsed to undertake the relevant treatment.

If I reactivate my expired licence, will I be required to complete any more current training requirements?

No, the provisional licensing requirements applies to new applicants only who have not previously held a pest management licence in any State or territory in Australia.

How do I apply for a Provisional Pest Management Technician Licence?

Submit a PS2 application (PDF 252KB) for a provisional licence and include:

• A letter from the training organisation confirming for completion of the theory component of pre-requisite units CPPUPM3006, CPPUPM3010 or CPPUPM3011
• Provide evidence of enrolment in other units relevant to the chosen endorsement area
• Provide evidence of employment with a registered pest management business.

Once a provisional licence is granted, practical training in various types of pest management treatment in the workplace can commence under the supervision of an experienced technician(s), qualified and endorsed for the same activities.

Where can I find further information about pest management licences?

The Guide to obtaining a pest management technicians licence (PDF 642KB) contains everything you need to know about licensing.

Can I work for myself as a pest technician?

Yes, but only under the following conditions:

• You must register your business with the Health Department
• You must be fully licensed or employ a licensed pest management technician – you cannot work for yourself if you hold a provisional licence.

Refer to the Guide to registering a pest management business (PDF 167KB) for further information.

Do I need a provisional licence?

You need a provisional licence if you intend working in the following areas:

• commercial and domestic pests (excluding termites and timber pests)
• commercial and domestic pests (including termites and timber pests)
• termite treatment for power poles
• feral pigeon control, or
• fumigation.

You will need to be supervised until you complete your training and keep a logbook. See New Applicants and Provisional Licences FAQ and/or download the Guide to obtaining a pest management technicians licence (PDF 642KB) to familiarise yourself with these requirements.

I only want to work in sales, do I need a licence?

Yes, you need a sales endorsement refer to the Guide to obtaining a pest management technicians licence (PDF 642KB) for course information.

I only want to treat power poles, what licence do I need?

You need to be endorsed in termite treatment of power poles refer to Guide to obtaining a pest management technicians licence (PDF 642KB) for course information.

Do I need a licence to spray weeds for my lawn mowing business?

Under the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011 anyone who charges a fee or offers a service for gain or reward for managing weeds needs to be licenced with at least the Lawn & gardening endorsement.

I am licensed interstate can I work in WA?

Technicians not licensed in WA but wishing to work in WA must contact the Department of Health ahead of arriving in WA to work. Reciprocal rights are determined on a case-by-case basis.

You should contact the department on (08) 9222 2000 or email pesticidesafety@health.wa.gov.au well ahead of time to avoid disappointment. The Department will contact your licence provider to verify that you hold a current licence.

I buy my pesticides from retail outlets; do I still need a licence to use them in my business?

It does not matter where you buy pesticides. You will need to be licensed if you offer pest management treatment services for gain or remuneration (charge a fee).

I only use Glyphosate in my business, do I need a licence?

Yes, you will need to be licensed with the endorsements 8, which allows you to apply herbicides using handheld and backpack equipment for weed control of lawn and garden, bushland, mine site rehabilitation and landscaping.

How do I register a pesticide business?

The guide to registering a pest management business (PDF 362KB) contains everything you need to know about owning and operating a pest management business. 

The guide provides the relevant information and instructions to register a business. You must comply with the instructions in the guide before lodging an application.

Can I own a pest management business?

Anyone who meets the criteria of a “fit and proper” person can own and operate a pest management business on the condition that it is registered by the Department of Health. The following criteria must also be met:

• the business employs a fully licensed pest management technician for the pest management treatments being offered by the business
• anyone involved in sales and quoting for work is licensed with a sales endorsement as a minimum
• anyone licensed for sales only cannot apply pesticides.

My business is registered with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC), does my business still need to be registered by the Health Department?

Yes, your business must be currently registered as a pest management business with the Department to operate in WA. This registration is separate to registration for taxation purposes and registration of your business name with the ATO and ASIC respectively. The pest management business provides the relevant information and instructions to register a business.

Do I need training to be a licensed pest management technician or salesperson?

Yes, you need to complete training and provide evidence of competency when you apply to become a pest management technician or salesperson. The Guide to obtaining a pest management technicians licence (PDF 642KB) provides information on the training approved by the Department of Health. If you complete a course that is not approved your licence application may not be accepted. Always check with Pesticide Licensing on 9222 2000 or email pesticidesafety@health.wa.gov.au if in doubt.

Where do I enrol for training?

Approved training is that which is provided by a Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and meets the following criteria:

• The RTO is registered with Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), or Victoria Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) or Training Accreditation Council (TAC)
• Consists of nationally endorsed units of competencies listed for each endorsement area as prescribed in the Guide to obtaining a pest management technicians licence (PDF 642KB).
• The RTO ensures that training material reflects and complies with WA legislation including the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011
• The trainee has undertaken the practical assessment of knowledge and skills as required by the nationally endorsed units of competencies.

What is the difference between a licence and an endorsement?

A licence allows you to work in WA as a pest management technician and each licence shows the type of pest treatment activity (e.g. lawn and garden weed control,  commercial and domestic pest control and termite treatment) for which you are qualified and licensed. Each type of treatment activity listed on your licence is called an endorsement. You can be endorsed in one or more types of treatment activities. You cannot undertake a different type of treatment than what is shown on your licence.

What endorsements are available?

1. Sales: allows you to work as a salesperson and provide advice on pest management options but you cannot mix or apply pesticides.
2. Commercial domestic pests: allows you to use pesticides to control pests such as rodents, ants, spiders, cockroaches, flying insects, fleas and bedbugs except termites - see (3)
3. Commercial domestic pests including termites and timber pests: allows you to use pesticides to control timber pests plus pests covered in (2). You cannot treat power poles - see (10)
4. Feral vertebrate control: allows you to control foxes, feral pigs, rabbits and wild dogs. Does not allow you to control feral pigeons - see (5).
5. Feral pigeon control with alpha-chloralose: allows you to control pigeons.
6. Fumigation: allows you to work as a fumigator and includes an authority to use methyl bromide and aluminium phosphide. If you wish to use other fumigants you will need to seek authorisation for each alternate fumigant after completing the recognised stewardship course.
7. Pest and weed control (mechanical equipment): this includes treatment of crops and pasture, forestry and turf management to control weeds and pests using mechanical equipment such as boom sprays, quad-bike mounted sprays or air-blast equipment. It includes pest treatments for ovals, greens, firebreaks and recreational areas in the urban environment. It does not allow you to treat pests in domestic or commercial premises.
8. Dieback Control: allows you to use phosphite to protect trees and vegetation.
9. Weed Control: allows you to control weeds and some outdoor garden insects using hand-held and backpack equipment used to treat lawns and gardens and for landscaping, bushland and mine site rehabilitation. To use mechanical equipment, you need endorsement (7).
10. Termite treatment of power poles: allows you to treat power poles for termites. It does not allow you to undertake any other kind of pest control including other types of termite treatments.

I have Certificate III in commercial domestic pests, can I treat power poles?

No. In order to treat power poles you need to be endorsed in termite treatment of power poles. To be eligible for endorsement, you must show that you have completed the required training modules. Speak to your training provider about whether any prior training or experience can be used to assess you as competent in the required modules. Irrespective of the exemptions you receive you will also need to complete the Western Powers Pole Course. Download the Guide to obtaining a pest management technicians licence (PDF 642KB) for course information.

Which chemicals am I allowed to use?

You can use pesticides that are registered for use in treatments covered by your endorsement areas. Schedule 7 dangerous poisons or restricted pesticides that you intend to use must be listed on your licence before they can be purchased and used. To obtain authorisation to use these chemicals you must have completed the appropriate training.

Training providers are listed in the Guide to obtaining a pest management technicians licence (PDF 642KB).

Restricted use chemicals including fumigants and Scheduled Poisons (Dangerous Poisons) are substances that can cause harm to health at low exposure and require special precautions during manufacture, handling and use. Some examples of the active constituents which are restricted use chemicals and must be listed on your licence are:

• Fumigants and Schedule 7 Pesticides such as chloropicrin, azinphos methyl, fenamiphos, methomyl, methyl bromide, aluminium phosphide, paraquat, 1-3 dichlorpropene, ethanedinitrile (EDN), ethyl formate, phosphine and strychnine.
• Schedule 6 Pesticides e.g. dichlorvos.
• Chemicals that contain mevinphos, endosulfan.
• Chemicals that contain alpha-chloralose, pindone concentrate, 4-aminopyridine, sodium monofluoroacetate (1080), and 4-aminopropiophenone (PAPP).

I haven't received my licence renewal

Licences take up to 14 days to process and make take longer during peak licensing period between June and August. To avoid delays, ensure that the Department has your current mailing address and email address and renew your licence as soon as possible after receiving the renewal notice. Complete the appropriate form to advise us of your change of address.

How do I reactivate my pest technician licence?

If your pest management technician licence has been expired for more than 1 month it can no longer be reactivated. You must lodge a new application. If it has been more than 5 years since you supplied us with your photo or medical certificate you will need to provide a new endorsed photo and current medical certificate with your new application.  

If you have allowed your licence to lapse by 5 years or more you will need to provide a new endorsed photo, current medical certificate and a copy of your qualifications. Complete the appropriate form.

What are the costs for obtaining a licence and registering a business?

Refer to the fee schedule for charges. The fees may change without warning.

When do I need to supply an updated medical certificate and endorsed photo?

If it has been more than 5 years since you supplied us with one.  Complete the appropriate form.