Explosives and fireworks reporting
This section of our website is your single point of reference for all statutory reports and notices related to the safety and security of your explosives and fireworks activities.
Use the links below to access forms, guidance material and lodgement information. You should also read about licensing requirements for explosives and fireworks.
Reporting and notification obligations under the Explosives Act 1999.
Incident and security reporting for explosives and fireworks
Explosives emergency
In an explosives emergency call 000 or the Explosives Emergency Hotline 1300 739 868. This includes any theft of explosives, any possibility of theft of explosives, if you suspect a theft of explosives, or if there is a break-in to an explosives storage facility, room or area.
You must notify the chief inspector or an inspector of an explosives incident (as defined in Schedule 2 of the Explosives Act 1999).
Relevant licence holders must also report:
- suspect or unusual requests to purchase security sensitive explosives
- discrepancies in records of explosives stored.
This page explains how to meet your notification and reporting obligations under Queensland explosives legislation.
Who this applies to
- Holders of a licence, permit or other explosive authority under the Explosives Act 1999
- Persons at a licensed storage facility or at a government magazine/reserve
- Display host for a fireworks display
Before starting activities
Check explosives and fireworks licensing requirements.
How to lodge your notices
The tables below show what you need to submit and how to do it. If you need more help:
- refer to the legislation (references in the tables below)
- read about how to report explosives incidents.
Incident reporting
| Report/notice and legislation | When to lodge | How to lodge |
|---|---|---|
|
Notice (by authority holder) to chief inspector of explosives incident (refer to legislation for definition) (EA1 s. 55) | As soon as possible after the incident | Call the explosives hotline on 1300 739 868 and submit the approved incident notification then email notice to relevant regional office |
1EA: Explosives Act 1999
Security and safety reporting matters
| Report/notice and legislation | When to lodge | How to lodge |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (by licence holder) of suspect or unusual request to purchase security sensitive explosive (ER1 s. 87) | As soon as possible after suspect or unusual request | Call the explosives hotline on 1300 739 868 and then notify via the approved form |
|
Report matters (i.e. dangerous situation, capability to comply, incidents) at an explosive storage facility or magazine (ER s. 130) | As soon as possible after becoming aware | Phone the explosives hotline on 1300 739 868 and then notify via the approved form. For other storage facilities contact the manager of the facility or holder of the licence to store explosives |
|
Report (by relevant holder) of discrepancies in records of explosives stored (ER s. 109) | As soon as possible after discrepancy is investigated | Notify via the approved form |
Import, export, trial and storage of explosives
You must have a current Queensland Explosives Security Clearance (QESC) if you are applying for a security-sensitive explosives-related licence, which includes fireworks.
From 1 July 2026, use the RSHQ Portal to apply, renew, and manage your QESC, licences, and notifications—for simpler, faster and smarter licensing and compliance.
You must notify or report on a range of explosives related activities, including:
- before you import or export explosives
- when storing or interacting with stored explosives at explosive storage facilities and government magazines
- when there are changes to buildings and vehicles related to the storage or transport of explosives
- after conducting an explosive trial.
This page explains how to meet your notification and reporting obligations under Queensland explosives legislation.
Who this applies to
These requirements apply to holders of the following explosives authorities and persons:
- licence to store explosives
- licence to manufacture explosives
- licence to transport explosives
- persons dealing with explosives.
How to lodge your notices and reports
The tables below show what you need to submit and how to do it. If you need more help:
- refer to the legislation (references in the table below)
- read about explosives licensing requirements, including import, export, storage and transport.
| Report/notice and legislation | When to lodge | How to lodge |
|---|---|---|
|
Notice (by authority holder) to Chief Inspector to import explosives (EA1 s. 37) | Must be at least 7 days prior to the import date | |
|
Notice (by authority holder) to Chief Inspector to export explosives (EA s. 37) | Must be at least 7 days prior to the export date | Submit online using the RSHQ Portal |
|
Written report (by holder of trial) on explosives trial (ER2 s. 18) | As soon as practicable after trial is completed | Email report to Chief Inspector Explosives at explosives@rshq.qld.gov.au |
|
Notice (by authority holder) of proposed building or vehicle changes (ER s. 44) | Before making the change | Contact the nearest regional office and ask for the 'Alter licence details' form for your authority |
| Notice of changes (by relevant holder) to explosives storage facility (ER s. 110)3 | As soon as practicable after the change occurs | Email notice to Chief Inspector Explosives at explosives@rshq.qld.gov.au |
|
Notice requesting to store explosive at a government magazine (ER s. 117) | Before storing or undertaking activity in relation to stored explosive | Submit online using the RSHQ Portal |
|
Notice of transfer of ownership of explosives stored at a government magazine (ER s. 126) | Immediately following the sale or transfer | Email notice to the manager of the government magazine |
1 EA: Explosives Act 1999
2 ER: Explosives Regulation 2017
3 Note: You must advise us of any change in quantities of stored explosives by lodging an 'Alter licence details' form.
Fireworks displays - notification requirements
You must have a current Queensland Explosives Security Clearance (QESC) if you are applying for a security-sensitive explosives-related licence, which includes fireworks.
From 1 July 2026, use the RSHQ Portal to apply, renew, and manage your QESC, licences, and notifications—for simpler, faster and smarter licensing and compliance.
You must notify us at least 7 days before (14 days before if the display includes a moving platform) you conduct a fireworks display. You must also give notice after a display, including information about any malfunction or incident that occurred during the display.
This page explains how to meet your notification obligations under Queensland explosives legislation.
Note: Fireworks displays can only be conducted by authorised fireworks contractors. If you are not a fireworks contractor you cannot conduct a display in Queensland.
Who this applies to
- fireworks contractor for a fireworks display
- display host for a fireworks display.
How to lodge your notices
The table below shows what you need to submit and how to do it. If you need more help refer to the:
- legislation (references in the tables below)
- guide to submitting a display site plan for a fireworks notification (PDF, 297KB)
- requirements of fireworks contractors and operators
- Queensland code of practice: Control of outdoor fireworks displays (PDF, 1.4MB).
| Report/notice and legislation | When to lodge | How to lodge |
|---|---|---|
|
Notice (by fireworks contractor) of proposed fireworks display (ER1 s. 169) | Must be at least 7 days before the display, or 14 days before for moving platform | Submit online using the RSHQ Portal |
|
Notice (by fireworks contractor) after fireworks display (ER s. 171) | Must be within 7 days after the display | Submit online using the RSHQ Portal |
Blasting notifications
You must have a current Queensland Explosives Security Clearance (QESC) if you are applying for a security-sensitive explosives-related licence, which includes fireworks.
From 1 July 2026, use the RSHQ Portal to apply, renew, and manage your QESC, licences, and notifications—for simpler, faster and smarter licensing and compliance.
You must notify us at least 7 days before you undertake a blast, other than at a mine, quarry or explosives factory.
This page explains how to meet your notification obligations under Queensland explosives legislation.
Who this applies to
- holders of a shotfirer licence
- holders of a licence to use explosives if proposed blasting is likely to pose a risk to public safety.
Before starting activities
Check blasting and shotfiring licensing requirements.
How to lodge your notices
The table below shows what you need to submit and how to do it. If you need more help:
- refer to the legislation (references in the tables below)
- refer to the obligations for licensed shotfirers.
| Report/notice and legislation | When to lodge | How to lodge |
|---|---|---|
|
Notice of proposed blasting (ER1 ss. 154 and 155) | Must be at least 7 days before the blasting activity | Submit online using the RSHQ Portal |
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