Australian aviation follows the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. These instructions explain how to send and carry dangerous goods.
It is important to pack, declare and ship dangerous goods correctly. Penalties can include fines and prison.
Persons packing dangerous goods cargo must be appropriately qualified to do so. Our Packing Dangerous Goods page has information on preparing dangerous goods cargo for air transport.
Passengers can visit Pack Right for clear guidance on what can go in checked baggage and what must stay in carryon.
Getting approval
Some dangerous goods need additional permission from us before they can fly. You may also need permission from aviation authorities in other countries.
We may give permission for:
- humanitarian or environmental relief
- national security
- life-saving reasons
- when the goods are not available at the destination.
Where possible, use road, rail or sea to transport dangerous goods.
How to apply
First apply to your airline. They will then apply to us.
Learn more:
Radioactive materials
We need to approve transport of:
- low dispersible radioactive material
- radioactive material in special form
- radioactive material transported in Type B(U), Type B(M) and Type C containers.
Before you transport them, contact us for a cost estimate for the assessment.
An inspector will check your application against both the following:
- International Atomic Agency Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material
- the requirements of ICAO’s Technical Instructions.
Learn more:
Handling dangerous goods
To fly safely with dangerous goods, they must be packed correctly in approved packaging by approved personnel.
Some goods need UN-specification packaging and follow packing guidelines. Contact the National Association of Testing Authorities to have your packaging tested to UN standards.
Correct labels help operators store and load dangerous goods, and know what to do if they are damaged.
Anyone who packs or labels dangerous goods must complete training. Some companies can pack dangerous goods for you.
Learn more:
Declaring dangerous goods
All dangerous goods shipped as cargo will need a Shipper’s Declaration. The person accepting the goods will check them with an acceptance checklist.
It is important that the airline knows about the dangerous goods as they may need to issue a Notification to Captain (NOTOC) so that the pilot knows:
- which dangerous goods are on board
- where they are
- emergency response actions.