Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP)

Required to use 'restricted use' chemicals, products containing methyl bromide, phosphine formulated as liquefied gas or pindone concentrate for the preparation of poison baits.
Note: Includes 1080 & PAPP Endorsements and Copper Chromium Arsenic ACUP

Commercial Operator Licence (COL)

Required by people who operate a business that provides ground-based agricultural chemical application services (i.e. all application methods excluding aerial) for a fee or reward in Victoria.

Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence (AAOL)

Required to operate a business that provides an aerial spraying service and to employ pilots to carry out aerial spraying.
Note: includes AAOLs for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence (PCRL)

Required by any pilot who conducts aerial spraying of agricultural chemicals.
Note: includes PCRLs for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Requirement to hold an Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP)

A person is required to hold an ACUP or other form of authority (e.g. a Commercial Operator Licence) to use agricultural chemicals that are Schedule 7 poisons (Dangerous Poisons) or that contain atrazine, metham sodium, pindone concentrate, or ester formulations of MCPA, 2,4-D, 2,4-DB or triclopyr.

A person is required to hold a Copper Chromium Arsenic (CCA) ACUP or other form of authority (e.g. a CCA Commercial Operator Licence) to use agricultural chemicals that contain copper chromium arsenate.

If the business treats timber that it owns, employees using CCA chemicals are required to hold a CCA ACUP or be under the direct and immediate supervision of a CCA ACUP holder.

If the business treats timber owned by others for a fee or reward, the business is required to hold a CCA Commercial Operator Licence. Employees do not require a CCA Agricultural Chemical User Permit. In this instance please refer to the CCA Commercial Operator Licence application form.

ACUP endorsement type

Standard	Agricultural chemicals that are Schedule 7 poisons or contain atrazine, metham sodium, or ester formulations of MCPA, 2,4-D, 2,4-DB or triclopyr.
1080 & PAPP	Pest animal bait products that contain 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) or PAPP (4-aminopropiophenone).
Fumigants	Products containing methyl bromide; or phosphine formulated as liquefied gas.
Pindone concentrate	Products that contain pindone concentrate (2.5% or greater) for the preparation of baits.
Copper Chromium Arsenate	Agricultural chemicals that contain copper chromium arsenate.

A fumigation endorsement is not required to use phosphine generating products supplied as tablets, blankets, chains or other solids, or to use registered rabbit control products or soil fumigants containing chloropicrin. A Standard ACUP authorises the use of these products. To add a 1080 & PAPP endorsement to a current ACUP, select the 'Add to my existing ACUP' option.

Supply restrictions

An ACUP (or other authority) is required to obtain ‘restricted supply’ chemicals. ‘Restricted supply’ chemicals include those containing acrolein, pindone concentrate, 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate), PAPP (4-aminopropiophenone), mevinphos or endosulfan.

It is an offence to supply a Schedule 7 poison to a person under 18 years of age. Persons under the age of 18 years will only be issued a conditional ACUP that does not authorise the use of Schedule 7 poisons and will automatically be issued a standard ACUP upon reaching 18 years of age.

Record keeping

Under Victorian regulations, you must keep records of all agricultural chemicals used. See the Agriculture Victoria Chemical Standards website agriculture.vic.gov.au/chemicaluse for details and templates.

The training requirements for each ACUP endorsement type are detailed below.

All ACUPs are issued for 10 years and no further training is required during this period to maintain the ACUP.

ACUP endorsement type:

Standard

The units AHCCHM307 - Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases (previously AHCCHM303); and
AHCCHM304 - Transport and store chemicals
(e.g. Agvet Chemical User Course run by AusChem Victoria, various TAFE institutes and private providers).

1080 & PAPP

Training for the standard endorsement; and
The 22516VIC - Course in Minimising Risks in the Use of 1080 and PAPP Bait Products for Vertebrate Pest Control (or previous equivalents 22275VIC or 21835VIC).

Pindone concentrate

Training for the standard endorsement; and
AHCPMG309 - Apply pest animal control techniques.

Alternatively, a course in vermin control or pest animal management that contains the superseded units AHCVPT306A, AHCFAU201A, AHCPMG402A and AHCVPT302A.

Fumigants

The unit CPPPMT3011 - Manage organisms by applying fumigants to commodities and environments (formerly known as CPPPMT3011A - Conduct Fumigation) from the Asset Maintenance training package.

Copper Chromium Arsenate (CCA)

The unit FWPSAW3201 - Treat timber or the previous equivalents (FPISAW3201A or FPISAW3201B).

The supplier of CCA chemicals may be able organise a suitable training provider.

Record keeping

Under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Regulations 2007, you must make accurate written records of all agricultural chemical products used. The following records must be made within 48 hours of use, and kept for two years. Agriculture Victoria audits compliance with record keeping requirements. Record keeping templates are available on the Agriculture Victoria website (see below).

1. Product trade name
2. Date of application *
3. Baiting period start date **
4. Baiting period end date **
5. Application rate
6. Location where product was used
7. Extent of use (area of land treated/volume of water treated/volume of stored commodity treated/weight of commodity treated) *
8. The crop/commodity treated or situation in which the product was applied
9. Wind speed at time of application ***
10. Wind direction at time of application ***
11. Name and address of applicator and/or supervisor
12. Name and address of the person for whom the application was carried out

* not required when using poison baits for pest animal control

** only required when using poison baits for pest animal control

*** not required when chemical is applied using a hand held appliance

Records are not required when using household or home garden products, or if the applicator is licensed to use an agricultural chemical product under Part 7, Division 2 of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (formerly part 108C of the Health Act 1958) and uses the product in grounds associated with a dwelling or commercial building (other than buildings used for primary production or handling agricultural commodities).

Notification

A person employed or contracted to carry out spraying of agricultural chemicals by aircraft or mister must not start spraying without first having received written advice from the occupier of land as to whether or not there is a school, hospital, aged care service or children’s service within 200 metres of the land to be sprayed, and details of the location of those premises.

A person who is employed or contracted to carry out the agricultural spraying must, not less than 24 hours before spraying is undertaken, provide the occupier of the land: the name of the agricultural chemical product to be used, and the proposed time, date and duration of spraying.

Businesses that employ Pest Control Operators (PCOs) licensed under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 may not need this licence depending on the purpose of the pesticide use. If you need clarification as to the type of licence required, contact Agriculture Victoria's Biosecurity Services Centre on 1800 678 779 between 9:00am and 4:30pm weekdays or the Department of Health and Human Services on 1300 887 090.

The following training courses are recognised by Agriculture Victoria for the different types of licence:

Vermin destroyers / avicides

A course in vermin control or pest animal management that contains the units AHCVPT306A, AHCFAU201A, AHCPMG402A and AHCVPT302A(formerly RTD2101A, RTD2126A, RTD4403A and RTE3406A).

Note: Any person using products containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) under a COL must have successfully completed the 22275VIC Course in Minimising Risks in the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products for Vertebrate Pest Control(or previous equivalent 21835VIC). Contact Agriculture Victoria's Biosecurity Services Centre on 1800 678 779 between 9:00am and 4:30pm weekdays or visitagriculture.vic.gov.au/1080 for details.

Fumigants

A course in fumigation with methyl bromide or the Conduct Fumigation unit CPPPMT3011A (formerly known as PRMPM11B), from the Asset Maintenance training package.

Copper Chromium Arsenic

To be authorised to use CCA chemicals, employees are required to have successfully completed the unit of competency detailed below (or the previous equivalent - FPISAW3201A) or be under the direct and immediate supervision of such a person.

Agricultural Chemicals other than those listed above

A recognised course in agvet chemical use (or equivalent) that contains the units AHCCHM303A – Prepare and apply chemicals, and AHCCHM304A - Transport, handle and store chemicals(formerly RTC3704A and RTC3705A) (e.g. Agvet Chemical User Course run byAusChem Victoria, various TAFE institutes and private providers).

Aerial spraying must not be carried out unless the pilot of the aircraft holds a current Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence (note: interstate PCRLs are recognised in Victoria) and the pilot is either an employee of an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence holder or holds this licence themselves.

Notification

A person employed or contracted to carry out aerial spraying of agricultural chemicals must not start spraying without first having received written advice from the occupier of land as to whether or not there is a school, hospital, aged care service or children’s service within 200 metres of the land to be sprayed, and details of the location of those premises.

A person who is employed or contracted to carry out the agricultural spraying must, not less than 24 hours before spraying is undertaken, give the occupier of the land:

• the name of the agricultural chemical product to be used, and
• the proposed time, date and duration of spraying.

If you are a pilot and also operate an aerial spraying business, you are required to hold both an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence and a Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence (note: interstate PCRLs are accepted in Victoria). The combined fee for both licences (64 Fee Units as per the Monetary Units Act 2004) at 1 July 2015 is $870.40. This combined fee is exempt from GST.

PCRLs for UAVs

Aerial spraying from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) must not be carried out unless the pilot (controller) of the aircraft holds a current Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence (PCRL) authorising aerial spraying from UAVs. In addition, the pilot must be either an employee of a holder of an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence (AAOL) authorising aerial spraying from UAVs or hold this licence themselves. A standard PCRL does not permit aerial spraying from UAVs and a standard AAOL does not authorise UAV aerial spraying operations.

If the applicant holds a current PCRL they are not required to pay the application fee. Upon approval of their application for a UAV PCRL, they will be re-issued their current PCRL with conditions authorising aerial spraying from UAVs.

The holder of a UAV PCRL must comply with the conditions of the licence, including the requirement for all aerial spraying to be conducted in accordance with the operations manual specified on the licence.

PCRL

A current Commercial Pilot (Aeroplane or Helicopter) Licence or Air Transport Pilot (Aeroplane or Helicopter) Licence endorsed with an Agricultural Pilot (Aeroplane or Helicopter) Rating Grade 1 or 2 under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 of the Commonwealth of Australia; and 2.2 Either Pilot Spray Safe Accreditation OR have passed the examination previously set by Agriculture Victoria.

PCRL for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operations

A Remote Pilot’s Licence or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Controller’s Certificate deemed to have a UAV Aerial Application rating, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority; and

Spraysafe Pilot accreditation OR completion of the Agvet Chemical Users Course containing the units AHCCHM303A – Prepare and apply chemicals and AHCCHM304A - Transport, handle and store chemicals.

Note: To use products containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate), the PCRL holder is required to have successfully completed the 22275VIC Course in Minimising Risks in the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products for Vertebrate Pest Control (or previous equivalent 21835VIC).

1. Current controls for chemical use in Victoria require aerial spraying businesses to hold an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence.
2. A person cannot operate a business that provides aerial spraying of agricultural chemicals or employ pilots to carry out aerial agricultural spraying unless that person holds an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence. Any pilot who conducts spraying for an aerial spraying business must hold a Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence or equivalent interstate licence.
3. If you operate an aerial spraying business and are also a pilot, you must apply for both an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence and a Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence. The combined fee for both licences (64 Fee Units as per the Monetary Units Act 2004) is exempt from the GST.
4. Businesses that provide aerial spraying from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or employ pilots to carry out aerial agricultural spraying from UAVs must hold an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence authorising aerial spraying from UAVs.
5. Any pilot who conducts spraying for an aerial spraying from UAVs must hold a Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence authorising aerial spraying from UAVs.
6. An applicant who holds a current Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence (AAOL) is not required to pay an application fee for a UAV AAOL. They will be re-issued their current AAOL with an additional authorisation for UAVs.

NB: Under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992, an approved insurance policy is no longer mandatory for Agricultural Aircraft Operators. This change took effect on 1 July 2009.

AAOL

The business must have current Operation Spraysafe accreditation to operate an aerial spraying business, or be assessed by one of the Department’s Chemical Standards Officers (CSO) within the last 3 years as operating to an equivalent standard (contact your nearest CSO if an assessment is required).

AAOL for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operations

The business must hold a current a current UAV Operator Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, authorising UAV aerial application

AAOL

The business must have current Operation Spraysafe accreditation to operate an aerial spraying business, or be assessed by one of the Department’s Chemical Standards Officers (CSO) within the last 3 years as operating to an equivalent standard (contact your nearest CSO if an assessment is required).

AAOL for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operations

The business must hold a current a current UAV Operator Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, authorising UAV aerial application

PCRL

A current Commercial Pilot (Aeroplane or Helicopter) Licence or Air Transport Pilot (Aeroplane or Helicopter) Licence endorsed with an Agricultural Pilot (Aeroplane or Helicopter) Rating Grade 1 or 2 under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 of the Commonwealth of Australia; and 2.2 Either Pilot Spray Safe Accreditation OR have passed the examination previously set by Agriculture Victoria.

PCRL for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operations

A Remote Pilot’s Licence or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Controller’s Certificate deemed to have a UAV Aerial Application rating, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority; and

Spraysafe Pilot accreditation OR completion of the Agvet Chemical Users Course containing the units AHCCHM303A – Prepare and apply chemicals and AHCCHM304A - Transport, handle and store chemicals.

Note: To use products containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate), the PCRL holder is required to have successfully completed the 22275VIC Course in Minimising Risks in the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products for Vertebrate Pest Control (or previous equivalent 21835VIC).