Pest Management Technicians across Australia are required to follow national and state regulations to operate their own business for commercial or domestic pest control and fumigation. All such individuals and businesses are required to comply with the Pesticides Act 1999 and make sure that their work practices cause minimum harm to the environment and to the community. It is also important to comply with the requirements of the Pesticides Regulation 2009. The Pesticides Act is administered by the EPA (Environment Protection Authority).

To sum up the regulations as relevant for pest management professionals, they must:

only use pesticides that are approved by the APVMA (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority) maintain records of applications obtain an APVMA permit if they wish to use a pesticide in uses that the label does not cover prevent harm to non-target animals and plants, prevent damage to property and the community

Non-compliance with these laws and state laws can lead to heavy fines and penalties. The legal definition of pesticides may cover a wide range of substances including baits, bactericides, herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, lures, repellants etc.

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources also has strict regulations on the use of fumigants like methyl bromide. Fumigators must also obtain licenses issued by the relevant body and renew their license before expiry.

It is important to be informed about the licensing regulations of the state in which a pesticide technician or fumigator prefers to practice. This article takes a look at pest control license information Australia, for all the eight states and territories.