Ammonium nitrate is a raw material for explosives. All Australian governments believe it should not be freely available.

Ammonium nitrate products containing more than 45% ammonium nitrate are designated as security sensitive ammonium nitrate (SSAN) and are subject to regulation.

SSAN licences

You cannot use SSAN unless you have a licence. Licences are available to people who:

• can demonstrate a legitimate need for SSAN
• will transport and store SSAN securely
• are not of a security concern.

You need a licence to import, export, manufacture, store, transport, sell, supply, purchase, acquire, use or dispose of SSAN.

Council of Australian Government (COAG) information

• Principles of regulation for ammonium nitrate (PDF, 18 kB) - Guidelines issued by COAG  
• Agricultural use - farmers' licence (PDF, 63 kB) - Guidance note on obtaining a licence to store ammonium nitrate; updated 14/02/2005
• Ammonium nitrate transportation (PDF, 51 kB) - Guidance note updated 14/02/2005
• Secure storage of ammonium nitrate (PDF, 52 kB) - Guidance note;updated 14/02/2005
• Siting new facilities for ammonium nitrate storage (PDF, 22 kB) - Guidance note updated 14/02/2005
• Agricultural use of SSAN (PDF, 45 kB) - Security plan updated 14/02/2005
• Storage of SSAN (PDF, 65 kB) - Security plan updated 14/02/2005
• Transport of SSAN (PDF, 66 kB) - Security plan updated 14/02/2005 

Information bulletins

• Information bulletin 56 (PDF, 82 kB) - Regulation of security sensitive ammonium nitrate (SSAN) in queensland; issued 27/04/2005
• Information bulletin 53 (PDF, 161 kB) - Storage requirements for security-sensitive ammonium nitrate (SSAN); revised 21/11/2008
• Information bulletin 52 (PDF, 82 kB) - Transport of security sensitive ammonium nitrate (SSAN); issued 13/01/2006
• Information bulletin 46 (PDF, 38 kB) - Ammonium nitrate controls; issued 1/07/2004
• Information bulletin 45 (PDF, 38 kB) - Ammonium nitrate; issued 1/07/2004
• Information bulletin 41 (PDF, 42 kB) - Persons appropriateness for access to explosives; issued 25/10/2002; revised 12/04/2005
• Information bulletin 37 (PDF, 112 kB) - Regulatory and security assessment fees; issued 14/12/2004; revised 18/08/2009
• Information bulletin 30 (PDF, 67 kB) - Auger mixers used for manufacture of explosives; issued 19/12/2007  

General information about SSAN

• Definitions associated with control of SSAN during Transport and Storage (PDF, 31 kB); updated 02/06/2005
• ASIO legislation supports ammonium nitrate regulation (PDF, 95 kB)
• Frequently asked questions about security sensitive ammonium nitrate (PDF, 175 kB)
• SSAN discussion points (PDF, 112 kB) - Key points for discussion regarding the regulation of SSAN 
• Explosives Act 1999 - Authorisation of security sensitive Ammoniun Nitrate (SSAN) (PDF, 86 kB)
• Information sheet for fertilizer distributors/retailers/sellers (PDF, 133 kB)
• Nitrate fertiliser guidance note (PDF, 60 kB) updated 30/06/2010
• SSAN product list (PDF, 70 kB)
• SSAN storage and transport notes (PDF, 29 kB); updated 30/06/2010

Further information

SSAN licenses

• explosive licence application forms
• Regulating security sensitive ammonium nitrates (SSAN) in Queensland brochure (PDF, 202 kB)