Dangerous goods placard and manifest checker

Pick the hazard class and the largest quantity you keep to see whether you need placards, a manifest and regulator notice, or which state dangerous goods law applies instead.

Figures checked 5 November 2026. Free to use, no sign-in.

Victoria and Western Australia have their own Acts; the tool switches to them.

What are you doing with it?

From section 2 of the safety data sheet or the label.

litres

Placards and manifest

On your answers

Placards required

Placard above
1,000 L
Manifest above
10,000 L
Your quantity
1,500

What you must do

  • Display an outer warning placard at the workplace, and placards where the chemical is stored, in the Schedule 13 format (r 349–350).

Source: r 347–350, r 361 and Schedule 11 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW).

  • Quantities of different categories in the same hazard class are added together and compared with the combined rows of Schedule 11. Check the combined total as well as each category.
  • If flammable liquid category 4 is in the same spill compound as category 1–3 liquids, it is counted as the most hazardous liquid in the compound.
  • Placarding duties apply above the quantity, not at it.

General information, not legal advice. Confirm quantities and classifications with your regulator.

How this works

Quantities: the placard and manifest quantities for each class and category come from Schedule 11 of the WHS Regulations. Duties start when your quantity exceeds the figure, not when it equals it.

Duties: placards under r 349–350; a manifest under r 347; written notice to the regulator under r 348; and the emergency plan to the fire service under r 361.

Victoria and Western Australia: the tool names the law that applies instead and does not compare your quantity with Schedule 11. Totals across several categories of the same class are compared with combined rows in Schedule 11, which this tool does not add up for you.

Legal basis

Checked against these sources on 5 November 2026. Spotted a figure that looks wrong? Tell us.

Questions

When do I need dangerous goods placards?

Under the WHS Regulations, when the quantity of a Schedule 11 hazardous chemical at the workplace exceeds its placard quantity. For example, more than 250 litres of a category 2 flammable liquid needs placards.

When do I need a manifest?

When the quantity exceeds the manifest quantity, which is usually ten times the placard quantity. You then also notify the regulator in writing, at least 14 days before first going over it or as soon as you know, and give your emergency plan to the fire service.

Is there a national dangerous goods licence?

No. The placard and manifest rules apply in NSW, Queensland, SA, Tasmania, the ACT, the NT and Commonwealth workplaces. Victoria and Western Australia have their own dangerous goods regulations, and South Australia also licenses keeping some dangerous substances.

Do these rules cover transport?

No. Transporting dangerous goods by road or rail is regulated by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code through each state’s transport laws. Edition 7.9 has been mandatory since 1 October 2025.

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