Dangerous Goods Manifest and Site Plan Requirements 2027

Above the manifest quantity, a site needs a written manifest and a site plan, kept where emergency services can reach them, and must notify the regulator: in Victoria within 3 business days. Source: WHS Regulations Schedule 12 and the Victorian regulations.

So a site over its manifest quantity needs more than signs: paperwork showing what is stored and where.

These are the rules in force going into 2027.

When a manifest is needed

When the quantity held passes the manifest quantity for that class or category. Manifest quantities are higher than placard quantities, and both are on our guide to when you need a dangerous goods placard. In Western Australia, passing the manifest quantity also means the site needs a dangerous goods licence, with some exemptions.

What the manifest holds

• The basics: the business name, the site address, and the date it was prepared or last changed
• Emergency contacts: at least two people. The WHS states ask for business hours and after hours numbers. Western Australia accepts one person if they can be reached at all times
• A summary list (Victoria and Western Australia): the largest quantity of each class and packing group, combustible liquids, and goods too dangerous to be transported
• Bulk storage: each tank or container by its ID, its type and capacity, and its contents by proper shipping name, UN number and class. Under the WHS regulations a fixed vertical tank holding fire-risk chemicals also needs its diameter, and bulk not in a container needs its name and quantity. Combustible liquids by product name with the words "combustible liquid"
• Package stores: each store by its ID, with the largest quantity of each class likely to be kept. Packing group I goods and Division 2.3 toxic gases are listed one by one, by name
• Manufacturing areas: each area by its ID and what is made there. The WHS states ask for the average and the largest quantity
• Goods in transit: a set of their ADG transport documents can stand in for these entries

The quantities are the largest likely to be kept, not a stocktake on the day.

What the site plan shows

Every item marked with an ID code and explained in a legend:

1. Bulk tanks and other bulk storage
2. Stores of packaged goods and IBCs
3. Manufacturing areas
4. A description in words of where each of these is, and where goods in transit may be
5. The main entrance and every other way in and out
6. Fire services and the isolation points for fuel and power (Western Australia adds gas and water)
7. All drains on the site
8. Where the manifest is kept
9. North
10. What the neighbouring sites are used for

Western Australia also asks for the scale, the site boundaries, the buildings described in words, and the operator name, address and date on the plan.

Where it is kept

Up to date, and where emergency services can get to it. Under the WHS regulations the place is agreed with the primary emergency services organisation.

Telling the regulator

• WHS states: the regulator is notified, with a copy of the manifest, under section 348 of the WHS regulations.
• Victoria: notify within 3 business days of first passing the manifest quantity, and again within 3 business days when a notified quantity goes up or down by 20% or more, falls below the manifest quantity, or the occupier name or contact details, the principal activities or the plant change. Notify again at least every 2 years in any case. The acknowledgement is displayed at the premises (regs 64 to 69 of the Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2022 (Vic) (S.R. No. 115/2022)).
• Western Australia: the licence application includes the manifest and site plan, and both are reviewed at least every 3 years and whenever things change (reg 78 of the Dangerous Goods Safety (Storage and Handling of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007 (WA)).

The regulation in each state

The signs that go with it

A site over its manifest quantity is over its placard quantities too, so the placards and the HAZCHEM sign should already be up. See hazchem signage requirements. For a site plan board at the gate, send us the plan on Custom Signs.

Common questions

When does a workplace need a dangerous goods manifest?

When the quantity of dangerous goods or hazardous chemicals held passes the manifest quantity. That is a bigger figure than the placard quantity, and it differs between states.

Where is the manifest kept?

Where emergency services can get to it. Under the WHS regulations the place is agreed with the primary emergency services organisation.

What does a dangerous goods site plan show?

Where the bulk storage, package stores and manufacturing areas are, the entrances and exits, fire services and isolation points, all drains, where the manifest is kept, north, and what the neighbouring sites are used for.

Figures on this page were checked against the linked sources on 2026-09-29.