A fireworks operator is allowed to conduct displays only under the supervision of a fireworks contractor.

A fireworks operator licence allows you to use, possess, store and transport a limited quantity of fireworks for a fireworks display organised by a fireworks contractor.

A fireworks operator licence does not allow you to purchase fireworks.

The licence may limit the category and size of the fireworks display.

Note: To apply for a special effects (pyrotechnics) fireworks operator licence, please contact the Explosives Inspectorate.

Application requirements

Check the application form for a list of requirements, including requirements for security clearances for security-sensitive explosives (which includes fireworks and pyrotechnics), a medical assessment and competency requirements (see also below).

Competency requirements

The competency requirements for different types of fireworks are shown in the table below.

In Queensland, Fireworks Australia (Importers) Pty Ltd is the only organisation approved to provide this training. Contact them to discuss your training requirements.

Competency requirements for fireworks operators and contractors

Legend:

• OD: Outdoor fireworks displays (including strings of crackers)
• CP: Close proximity
• SC: Strings of crackers
• *Course not yet available
• ¹CUAPYR415 is only required where the fireworks contractor is endorsed for close proximity displays only. In this instance, it replaces CUAPYR413.

Note: To apply for a special effects (pyrotechnics) fireworks operator licence, contact the Explosives Inspectorate.

How to apply

Your application should include:

• Form E200 – Application for an occupational authority* (fireworks operator licence)
• licence fee (see below)
• supporting documents (according to the required documentation on the application form).

*Note: If you apply for an occupational authority, your biometric data (digital photo and signature) will be retained while your licence remains current. It will be destroyed if your application is withdrawn or refused, or your licence expires.

Fees and payment options

Licence fees can only be paid via credit card (BPOINT) following submission of the online form. Read more about payment of licence fees.

Fees for fireworks operator licences

Obligations of licence holders

Licence holders must comply with the terms of their licence, as well as the following codes of practice:

• Queensland code of practice: Control of outdoor fireworks displays (PDF, 1.4MB)
• Australian code for the transport of explosives by road and rail.

Also consider...

• Find out more about the industry by contacting a fireworks contractor, who may be able to provide work experience.
• Read the Queensland fireworks product safety code (PDF, 128KB).
• Read the Queensland fireworks product safety test standard (PDF, 700KB).
• View the list of approved fireworks testers in Queensland.

A fireworks contractor licence allows an individual, corporation or partnership to:

• organise a fireworks display for the display host
• possess fireworks to supply them to a fireworks operator
• purchase fireworks to use in a fireworks display organised by the fireworks contractor
• store and transport limited quantities of fireworks (to supply them to a fireworks operator).

If a fireworks contractor is an individual, they must also be an authorised fireworks operator.

If a fireworks contractor is a corporation, the corporation must have a nominated licensed fireworks operator who is a qualified fireworks contractor.

The licence will list the categories of fireworks display authorised under the licence.

Application requirements

Check the application form for a list of requirements, including requirements for security clearances, competency requirements (see also below) and a safety and security management system.

Publicly listed corporations must appoint a responsible person for explosives matters if they have not already done so.

Competency requirements

The competency requirements for different types of fireworks are shown in the table below.

In Queensland, Fireworks Australia (Importers) Pty Ltd is the only organisation approved to provide this training. Contact them to discuss your training requirements.

Competency requirements for fireworks operators and contractors

Legend:

• OD: Outdoor fireworks displays (including strings of crackers)
• CP: Close proximity
• SC: Strings of crackers
• *Course not yet available
• ¹CUAPYR415 is only required where the fireworks contractor is endorsed for close proximity displays only. In this instance, it replaces CUAPYR413.

How to apply

Your application should include:

• Form E201 – Application for a fireworks contractor licence
• licence fee (see below)
• supporting documents (according to the required documentation on the application form).

Fees and payment options

Licence fees can only be paid via credit card (BPOINT) following submission of the online form. Read more about payment of licence fees.

Fees for fireworks contractor licences

Obligations of licence holders

As a fireworks contractor, you must ensure that all other people involved in the fireworks display (including the fireworks operator) are trained and competent.

You are required to notify us about your fireworks display.

Licence holders must comply with the terms of their licence, as well as the following codes of practice:

• Queensland code of practice: Control of outdoor fireworks displays (PDF, 1.4MB)
• Australian code for the transport of explosives by road and rail.

Also consider...

• Read the Queensland fireworks product safety code (PDF, 128KB).
• Read the Queensland fireworks product safety test standard (PDF, 700KB).
• View the list of approved fireworks testers in Queensland.

Below is a list of accredited testing agencies that the Chief Inspector of Explosives has authorised to test fireworks under the Queensland fireworks product safety code (PDF, 128KB).

These testing agencies test fireworks according to the Queensland fireworks product safety sampling and test standard (PDF, 700KB) and issue a certificate of compliance before the sale and use of local and imported fireworks.

All listed agencies have the appropriate licences.

List of testing agencies

SIMTARS

Mr Mark Kleinhans
Phone: (07) 3810 6334
Email: Mark.Kleinhans@simtars.com.au

Skyward Entertainment

Mr Andrew Agrotis
Phone: (07) 4622 7238
Email: andrew@skywardentertainment.com.au

In Queensland, the use of display fireworks by the public has been illegal since 1972. Only licensed professionals in the fireworks industry may now use display fireworks.

However, explosives legislation exempts certain small fireworks and other explosives from most of the restrictions on the sale, possession, handling and use of explosives. These are called unrestricted fireworks.

The Explosives Regulation 2017 defines unrestricted fireworks as:

• amorces and caps for toy pistols
• indoor table bombs that eject streamers
• model rocket motors up to 62.5g maximum weight and maximum total impulse of 160 newton seconds
• snaps for bon-bon crackers
• sparklers
• starting pistol caps
• streamer cones (or party poppers)
• indoor decorative fountains.

The table below outlines your licensing and other requirements for using, possessing, selling, storing, transporting, and importing and exporting unrestricted fireworks. You may sell unrestricted fireworks through retail outlets for the general public to use.

Close proximity fireworks are manufactured pyrotechnic devices or articles designed for use near performers, spectators, or others involved in the event.

These fireworks may be used indoors (e.g. in a theatre, entertainment centre or club) or at outdoor venues (e.g. sporting arenas or outdoor stages).

Risks vary according to where they are used, so the guidelines may not be relevant to all situations. However, all parties should consider this information when assessing and ensuring the safe use of these fireworks.

Code of practice for close proximity fireworks

The Queensland code of practice: Close proximity fireworks (PDF, 477KB) applies to the control of all close proximity fireworks intended for entertainment purposes in Queensland. It has been derived from the requirements of the Explosives Act 1999 (PDF, 593KB) and industry consultation.

It does not apply to:

• unrestricted toy fireworks available to the general public (e.g. sparklers and party poppers)
• outdoor fireworks used at public displays (e.g. ground cakes and aerial shells) by licensed outdoor fireworks operators
• special effects manufactured from pyrotechnics, high explosives and other substances (e.g. fuel and cork dust used by licensed special effects technicians)
• non-explosive special effects (e.g. liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) flares, carbon dioxide confetti cannons or air-operated special effects).

Location

Assess each location where close proximity fireworks will be used to identify and manage risks. Licensed fireworks contractors and operators must meet their general duty of care and specific obligations, and not endanger anyone's safety, health or property.

Licences

Ensure only people licensed to use close proximity fireworks conduct such displays. This includes ensuring that people with a fireworks operator licence are appropriately endorsed for use of close proximity fireworks.

Notification

Notify the Explosives Inspectorate and the Queensland Fire Department (QFD) at least 7 days before any close proximity display using the appropriate fireworks display notification form, and no longer than 7 days after the display using the fireworks post display notification form.

Appropriate use

Use only fireworks designed for close proximity displays in accordance with the manufacturers' or suppliers' instructions including performance characteristics such as duration, height and diameter of the fireworks effect.

Calculate the actual clearance distances for close proximity displays by assessing the following:

• manufacturer's or supplier's recommended clearance distance or twice the fallout radius, whichever is greater
• effects of wind (i.e. for outdoors) or forced ventilation (e.g. fans)
• effects of angled fireworks
• distance to which exposure to noise intensity and duration meets exposure standards.

Fireworks that are designed for use in outdoor fireworks displays must not be used indoors, nor used in close proximity firework displays in outdoor settings.

Risk assessment

The fireworks contractor must plan close proximity fireworks displays with the event organiser, fireworks operator, performers and other relevant parties.

They should conduct a risk assessment, including a fire risk assessment, considering all the venue features and the fireworks devices to be used, including:

• the manufacturer's or supplier's recommendations for set-up, clearance distances and product use
• the firing points for each firework device
• the location of performers, audience, operators, assistants and others near the functioning product
• the risk of fire from the set, scenery, rigging materials, walls, ceilings, curtains and stage fittings within the performance area
• the risk of burns to performers from their costumes/materials worn by performers, and to others near the functioning product
• the risk of harm from the noise produced by fireworks devices
• whether ventilation will manage any smoke, toxic gases, irritants and other products
• whether exposure to smoke, toxic gases, irritants and noise, and the duration of the exposure, is at acceptable levels under health and safety standards for the actual conditions, including ventilation, that will exist during the display
• the need for personal protective equipment (e.g. hearing protection, safety glasses, flameproof clothing, respiratory protection) for the operator, assistants, performers and anyone near the devices
• security for the close proximity firework devices at the performance site from when the devices are brought to the site until they are used.

Isolating fire safety systems

While it is not always possible to interrupt or isolate fire detection and life safety systems during fireworks displays, it may be a requirement to isolate essential elements of the fire safety system, including smoke detectors and other fire detection systems, or disengage air handling systems.

To do this:

• ensure that such isolation is allowable for the class of building as per the Building Code of Australia
• advise the QFD (as appropriate) of the plan to manage fire safety issues before isolating or shutting down essential elements of the fire safety system
• get approval from the facility owner or their agent
• ensure someone is available to direct the operation of all installed fire detection and life safety systems, and notify emergency responders if necessary. They must remain at the facility until the operation of all isolated and disengaged systems returns to normal and this has been verified.

Firing fireworks devices

Carefully select the type of firework devices and their location, and ventilation, so you can control the quantity of smoke and not endanger people's breathing, including irritating people with respiratory disorders or blocking the visibility of exit signs or pathways.

Mount the devices so that fallout can't endanger people or property.

Position all fireworks devices:

• in clear view of the fireworks operator or an assistant in direct communication with the operator
• no closer to the audience than the minimum separation distance calculated or stated by the manufacturer/supplier and never closer than 2m
• where they can't be disturbed during the performance.

Before the display performance

• Check that all exits are identified, visible, clear, unlocked and generally able to act as an exit in an emergency.
• Notify the QFD of the smoke level likely to be generated by the fireworks.
• Ensure access to appropriate firefighting equipment before, during and after the display. Staff who are trained to use firefighting equipment must be present during these times.
• Check that all material close to the fireworks devices is flame retardant. If necessary, treat the material or protect it with a suitable flame retardant barrier.
• Verify that all devices have been fired.
• Dispose of any unfired devices according to the manufacturer's and supplier's instructions.
• Then declare the area free from firework devices, before returning control of the site to the event organiser.

Immediately after the display performance

• Verify that all devices have been fired.
• Dispose of any unfired devices according to the manufacturer's and supplier's instructions.
• Then declare the area free from firework devices, before returning control of the site to the event organiser.

Role of QFD

The fireworks contractor must notify the appropriate QFD local area director (urban division) at least 7 days before the display.

The QFD officers will assess your information based on public safety issues. They may then conduct an onsite inspection and consultation before the display to assess the risk of ignition and subsequent spread of fire due to the fireworks.

The QFD's risk assessment takes into account access/egress, exits, crowd numbers, pyrotechnic materials and devices, flameproofing, fire alarm and air handling systems. Fire officers can give directions, including stopping a display.

All licensed fireworks operators and contractors conducting outdoor displays must comply with the Queensland code of practice for the control of outdoor fireworks displays (PDF, 1.4MB).

If you arrange, organise or operate a fireworks display, you must take all reasonable and practical measures to minimise the impact of noise.

These measures include:

• holding fireworks displays only between certain hours
• positioning of fireworks
• selecting appropriate fireworks
• limiting the frequency of events at a location to agreed intervals.

Holding fireworks displays only between certain hours

To minimise the impact of noise, you should hold your fireworks displays at these times:

• Monday to Thursday, 7am–9pm
• Friday and Saturday, 7am–10pm
• Sunday and public holidays, 1pm–9pm
• New Year's Eve, 7am–12.30am (New Year's Day)

Positioning and selecting fireworks to minimise impact

You should also minimise noise impacts by:

• using the shielding effects of natural or constructed features
• placing the display as far away as practical from any noise-sensitive place
• excluding or limiting the use or size of 'salute' or other high-noise fireworks from an event.

Limiting the frequency of events

Dispute resolution services

The Explosives Inspectorate requires operators of firework displays to consider the impact of noise on neighbouring properties. However, if complaints do arise, operators and complainants can engage in dispute resolution, which is an effective, confidential and voluntary way to settle a dispute.