|
Commercial Operator Licence
A Commercial Operator Licence (COL) is 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 (except for specific types of pest controllers licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS)). Commercial Operator Licences issued by other State and Territory governments are not valid in Victoria.
There are three types of COL endorsements issued by DPI, each with different training requirements. A licence can have any or all of the endorsements provided the appropriate training is completed.
| Area of Operation | Training Requirement |
COL - Agricultural Chemicals (other than Vermin Destroyers/Avicides and Fumigants) Endorsement
Required by people in the business of applying agricultural chemicals for agricultural or horticultural purposes, including forestry, post-harvest treatment and the control of weeds, insects and diseases. | One of the following: A Course in Farm Chemical Use, Agsafe Personnel Accreditation course, ChemCert Agvet Chemical Training, Farmcare, SMART train Chemical Application course, Weed Identification and Control or another DPI recognised equivalent |
COL - Vermin Destroyers/Avicides Endorsement
Required by people in the business of vermin control in rural areas (e.g. fox, rabbit or bird control). | Vermin Control Course |
COL - Fumigants Endorsement
Required by people in the business of produce or soil fumigation. | Fumigation Course eg North Melbourne Institute of Tafe Fumigation Course |
Pest Animal Bait Products containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate): From the 1st January 2008, all people who use 1080 pest animal bait products in Victoria (including COL holders and their employees) are required to have successfully completed the VIC21835 Course Minimizing the Risks in the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria. Visit DPI 1080 for more information.
To find out what organisations offer these training courses and where they are run, contact TAFE Institutes, Agsafe, Chemcert, VCAH colleges, private providers or industry organisations.
Domestic and Commercial Premises pest control: People in the business of pest control (domestic and commercial premises) require a ‘Licence to Use Pesticides (LTUP)’, which is issued by DHS. For information, contact the DHS Pest Control Program on 1300 887 090.
Commercial Operators are required by the regulations to keep specified records of all chemical applications and to keep these records for a minimum of two years.
To qualify for a COL an applicant must:
- Have successfully completed the appropriate training course, and
- Provide information on any previous convictions under any of the following Acts:
- Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992
- Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981
- Dangerous Goods Act 1985
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
- Environment Protection Act 1970
- Health Act 1958.
The COL application fee as at 1 July 2008 is $431.30 and the licence is valid for three years - Commercial Operator Licence Application form - Form # 76
|
