Dangerous Goods Storage in South Australia 2027
In South Australia, keeping more than 250 kg of LPG or 1,200 L of packing group III flammable liquids needs a licence, with some exemptions, on top of the WHS placard rules. Source: Dangerous Substances (General) Regulations 2017.
So South Australia has two sets of rules for dangerous goods at a workplace. The WHS regulations decide when placards and a manifest are needed, as in most states, and the licence to keep dangerous substances has its own set amounts. The two have different triggers, so check both.
These are the rules in force going into 2027.
Placards and the manifest
The Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA): reg 349 Outer warning placards - requirement to display, reg 350 Placard - requirement to display, with the quantities in Schedule 11 Placard and manifest quantities. They are the same quantities as NSW, Queensland, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT, and the full table is on our guide to when you need a dangerous goods placard.
The licence to keep dangerous substances
Under the Dangerous Substances (General) Regulations 2017 (SA), a licence is needed above these amounts:
| What you keep | Licence-free up to | Regulation |
|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids, packing group I or II | 120 L, in packages of up to 60 L each | reg 22 |
| Flammable liquids, packing group III | 1,200 L | reg 22 |
| Manufactured flammable liquid products in containers of up to 5 L (packing group I or II) or 25 L (packing group III) | Any quantity | reg 22 |
| Flammable liquids on premises of 2 hectares or more that carry on a rural industry | Higher limits, with distance and clearance conditions | reg 22 |
| LPG | 250 kg, as the total capacity of all cylinders and tanks on the premises | reg 11 |
| Classes 6 and 8 together | A combined sum of 1 (below) | reg 37 |
LPG: cylinders in use on industrial premises under AS/NZS 1596:2014 do not count toward the total, and disposable, non-refillable containers are licence-free in any quantity.
Classes 6 and 8: add the litres and kilograms in each packing group, then divide: packing group I by 250, packing group II by 2,000, packing group III by 5,000. Add the three results. If the sum is more than 1, a licence is needed.
Licences are issued by SafeWork SA, which explains the limits in its licence guidance note.
Signs for these classes
A licence and placards are separate questions: a site can need one, both, or neither. What each placard shows and where it goes is on hazchem signage requirements.
Common questions
Do I need a licence to store dangerous goods in South Australia?
Above certain amounts, yes: a licence to keep dangerous substances, issued by SafeWork SA under the Dangerous Substances (General) Regulations 2017. It is separate from the WHS placard and manifest rules.
How much flammable liquid can I keep in SA without a licence?
Up to 120 L of packing group I or II in packages of up to 60 L each, and up to 1,200 L of packing group III. Manufactured products in small containers are licence-free in any quantity, and rural industry premises of 2 hectares or more have higher limits.
How much LPG can I keep in SA without a licence?
Up to 250 kg, counted as the total capacity of all cylinders and tanks on the premises. Disposable, non-refillable containers are licence-free in any quantity.
Figures on this page were checked against the linked sources on 2026-11-03.
General information, not advice for your site. The figures on this page are quoted from the government sources linked beside them and were checked on the date shown. What applies to you depends on what you store, how much, and which state you are in, and the law changes. Check the source, or ask your regulator.
Not on this list? If the class or the wording you want is not here, tell us on Custom Signs - your own text, your own size - and we will come back with a price.
Not sure which classes you hold?
Lupin Systems keeps your safety data sheets in one place and works out the signage and the PPE from what you store.