Pest management technicians

Pest management activities are regulated by the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 (MPA) and the Medicines and Poisons (Pest Management Activities) Regulation 2021 (Pest Management Regulation).

A pest management activity (which includes a pest control activity and a fumigation activity) using a pesticide or a fumigant must only be undertaken by a person who holds a current pest management licence issued under the MPA.

The MPA also applies to pest management activities carried out by PMTs in primary production.

Pest management licences

To undertake pest management activities, a pest management technician must hold a current pest management licence.

Pest management licences specify the activities which the pest management technician is permitted to complete, also referred to as authorisations. The authorisations available include:

  1. Pest control activity, treatment of;
    1. Urban pests
    2. Timber pests
    3. Pest birds
    4. Urban pests at a high-risk place (for example, livestock farming, food manufacturing)
    5. Urban pests at a sensitive place (for example, residential aged care facilities, schools)
  2. Fumigation activity for specific site environments including:
    1. aircraft
    2. buildings
    3. burrows
    4. chambers
    5. containers
    6. ship holds
    7. silos
    8. soil
    9. stacks
    10. small ship afloat (excluding ship hold).

To apply for a pest management licence, you must have completed the competency (PDF 326 kB) relevant to the type of pest control activity and/or fumigation activity you intend to undertake.

Information on the authorisations and requirements for high-risk places, sensitive places, and pest birds is available at: Pest management licence activities for high-risk and sensitive places.

Invasive animals are not pests

The Medicines and Poisons (Poisons and Prohibited Substances) Regulation 2021 (Poisons Regulation), outlines requirements for managing invasive animals as they are not dealt with as a pest under the Medicines and Poisons Act.

Invasive animals under the Poisons Regulation means:

  • (a)a cat (Felis catus or Prionailurus bengalensis x Felis catus), other than a domestic cat; or
  • (b)a dingo (Canis lupus dingo); or
  • (c)a dog (Canis lupus familiaris), other than a domestic dog; or
  • (d)a European fox (Vulpes vulpes); or
  • (e)a European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus); or
  • (f)a feral pig (Sus scrofa).

This means the fumigation of burrowing invasive animals (for example, European foxes and European rabbits) does not require a pest management licence. The person must instead comply with requirements in the Poisons Regulation, including holding the required competency. Further information is available at Invasive animal control.

Apply for a pest management licence

To apply for a pest management licence, complete and submit your application form and pay the licensing fee available from: pest management application forms and fees.

Pest Management Businesses

Pest Management Businesses who employ licensed pest management technicians must provide equipment, including vehicles, tools and personal protective equipment, that are appropriate for the tasks to ensure that the pest management activity can be undertaken safely and effectively. This also includes training and record keeping requirements.

Labelling, record-keeping, storage of pesticides and fumigants and other requirements are set out in the Pest Management Regulation. Persons undertaking pest management activities, including business operators, must comply with these requirements.

Activity risk management plans

An activity risk management plan (ARMP) is required prior to carrying out pest control activities in high-risk or sensitive places or conducting fumigation activities at any location.

The following templates are available to support the preparation of ARMPs:

The use of these templates is optional, and you may use your own documentation to prepare and implement an ARMP.
Further information on ARMPs is available at: Pest management licence activities for high-risk and sensitive places.

Pest management trainees and supervision

Pest management trainees who are undertaking a pest management course may work under the supervision of a licensed pest management technician. The pest management business operator is responsible for ensuring the trainee is appropriately supervised. Penalties apply if a pest management trainee is not supervised.

Supply of Schedule 7 (S7) pesticides and fumigants

Licensed pest management technicians are not permitted to sell or supply S7 pesticides or S7 fumigants. A separate S7 Retail licence is required. Further information is available at: Retail licences for Schedule 7 (S7) poisons.

Related information

Contact

For more information contact the Environmental Hazards Unit:

Last updated: 1 May 2026