• Regular Importers
  Apply for this licence type if you will be regularly importing equipment that contains Ozone Depleting Substances or Synthetic Greenhouse Gases.

• Low Volume Importers (LVIL)
  Apply for this licence type if you are a one-off importer planning to import up to five (5) pieces of ODS/SGG equipment arriving in one consignment and containing less than 10Kg of gas in total. An ODS/SGG equipment licence (EQPL) for one-off, low volume import (LVIL) is only granted once in every two years and it expires fourteen (14) days after the date of issue of the licence OR 14 days after the equipment arrives, whichever is the latest.

Please note: that airconditioning and refrigeration equipment designed to operate on Hydrocarbons, also known as ‘natural refrigerants’ (e.g. Ammonia (R717)) do not trigger the licence requirements under the Ozone Act.

• Importing vehicles, boats, caravans or any other equipment that may contain refrigerant gas into Australia

Please note: assessment of applications will not commence until the full application fee is received by the department - $3,000 for a Regular EQPL and $400 if you qualify for the partial fee waiver for a one-off, low-volume import LVIL.

Application fees are non-refundable. There is no provision in the Act nor the Regulations that gives the Minister or his delegate the power to refund the licence fee paid as part of a licence application that an applicant subsequently does not require.

• More information about the EQPL and LVIL licences

• Personal/Organisation details – the legally recognised name of the entity applying for the licence. In the case of organisations, the legal name must match the name registered on the Australian Business Register website.
  • Australian Business Register website 
• The current ABN (if an organisation)
• Street and Postal Address
• The name and contact details of the applicant (if an individual) or authorised person (if an organisation) signing the application form
• The name and contact details of a contact person that will be responsible for submitting reports to the department on a quarterly basis (Regular importers only)
• The details of the goods you intend to import, including:
  • Approximate dates for when the goods are expected to arrive in Australia.
  • The product name, make and model
  • Product category
  • Type of refrigerant contained in the equipment
  • Charge size (the amount of refrigerant contained within each piece of equipment) in grams
  • The number of individual units
  • The total amount of refrigerant (in grams)
• If you answer YES to any of the questions under the Suitability Questionnaire you will need to provide details outlining the circumstances under which the event(s) occurred.

• A copy of the certified1 ID of the person signing the application form (for organisations, the person signing the application form must be the director or someone in the organisation who has the authority to sign on behalf of the director(s)).
• A copy of the purchase invoice or receipt for the goods being imported
• Documentation confirming membership with an approved Product Stewardship Scheme, if one exists.
• Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) 
• If a TRUST, a copy of the deed confirming person signing the application has the authority to sign on behalf of other trustees.
• If a PARTNERSHIP, you must supply a document that shows authority to sign and submit this licence application on behalf of the other partners.

Apply for this licence if you wish to import, export or manufacture hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs), also known as Synthetic Greenhouse Gases (SGGs).

Please note: unless you are applying for a waiver of the application fee, assessment of applications will not commence until the full application fee of $15,000 is received by the department. Application fees are non-refundable. There is no provision in the Act nor the Regulations that gives the Minister or his delegate the power to refund the licence fee paid as part of a licence application that an applicant subsequently does not require.

For more information about the SGGs CSL, and the criteria upon which the Minister may waive the application fee, please refer to:

• Controlled Substances Licence (CSL) to import Synthetic Greenhouse Gases (SGGs) - HFCs, PFCs and/or SF6.

• Personal/Company details – the legally recognised name of the entity applying for the licence. In the case of organisations, the legal name must match the name registered on the Australian Business Register website
  • Australian Business Register website 
• The current ABN (if an organisation)
• Street and Postal Address
• The name and contact details of the applicant (if an individual) or authorised person (if an organisation) signing the application form
• The name and contact details of a contact person that will be responsible for submitting reports to the department on a quarterly basis
• Details about the proposed activity (import, export or manufacture of SGGs), including country of origin or country of destination
• If you answer YES to any of the questions under the Suitability Questionnaire you will need to provide details outlining the circumstances under which the event(s) occurred.

• A copy of the certified1 ID of the person signing the application form (for organisations, the person signing the application form must be the director or someone in the organisation who has the authority to sign on behalf of the director(s)).
• Documentation confirming membership with an approved Product Stewardship Scheme, if one exists
  • Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) 
• If a TRUST, a copy of the deed confirming person signing the application has the authority to sign on behalf of other trustees.
• If a PARTNERSHIP, you must supply a document that shows authority to sign and submit this licence application on behalf of the other partners.
• If you are applying for a fee waiver – supporting documentary evidence that the import/export is for test purposes and the amount is less than ½ tonne.
  • Categories and examples of laboratory uses

Apply for this licence if you wish to import, export or manufacture Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: HCFC quota is required to import or manufacture HCFCs. You should only apply for a Controlled Substances Licence (CSL) for HCFCs if:

1. You are a current holder of a CSL for HCFCs and you have been allocated HCFC quota for the current licence period;

or

2. You have identified an existing Quota holder who has agreed to transfer HCFC quota or part of a HCFC quota to you if you are granted a CSL for HCFCs . (You will be required to provide the name or the licence number of the licensee who has agreed to transfer HCFC quota to you).
   • List of licences and section 40 exemptions granted

If you do not satisfy one of the two categories above, DO NOT submit the application or pay the non-refundable application fee. Please contact the Licensing Officer on +61 2 6274 1373 if you require further clarification.

If one of the two categories above is applicable to you, you may proceed with your application. Please note that unless you are applying for a waiver of the application fee, assessment of applications will not commence until the full application fee of $15,000 is received by the department. Application fees are non-refundable. There is no provision in the Act nor the Regulations that gives the Minister or his delegate the power to refund the licence fee paid as part of a licence application that an applicant subsequently does not require.

More information about the CSL for HCFCs and HCFC quota, and the criteria upon which the Minister may waive the application fee, please refer to:

• HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbon) Controlled Substances Licence

• Personal/Company details – the legally recognised name of the entity applying for the licence. In the case of organisations, the legal name must match the name registered on the Australian Business Register website
  • Australian Business Register website 
• The current ABN (if an organisation)
• Street and Postal Address
• The name and contact details of the applicant (if an individual) or authorised person (if an organisation) signing the application form
• The name and contact details of a contact person that will be responsible for submitting reports to the department on a quarterly basis
• Details about the proposed activity (import, export or manufacture of HCFCs), including country of origin or country of destination
• If you are an existing licensee with allocated HCFC quota for the current period – provide your licence number and the total quantity (in Ozone Depleting Potential tonnes) of HCFCs imported or manufactured during the current licence period (you may need to refer to quarterly reports you submitted to department throughout the current licence period)
• If HCFC quota is being transferred to you - provide the name or the licence number of the licensee who has agreed to transfer HCFC quota to you. An officer of the Department will contact the current quota holder to confirm the amount of quota being transferred to you.
• If you answer YES to any of the questions under the Suitability Questionnaire you will need to provide details outlining the circumstances under which the event(s) occurred.

• A copy of the certified1 ID of the person signing the application form (for organisations, the person signing the application form must be the director or someone in the organisation who has the authority to sign on behalf of the director(s)).
• Documentation confirming membership with an approved Product Stewardship Scheme, currently Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA)
  • Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) 
• If a TRUST, a copy of the deed confirming person signing the application has the authority to sign on behalf of other trustees.
• If a PARTNERSHIP, you must supply a document that shows authority to sign and submit this licence application on behalf of the other partners.
• If you are applying for a fee waiver – supporting documentary evidence that the import/export is for test purposes and the amount is less than ½ tonne.
  • Categories and examples of laboratory uses

Apply for this licence if you wish to import, export or manufacture small quantities of Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4), Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Halons, Methyl Chloroform (CH3CCl3) and Bromochloromethane (BCM) for essential uses, as specified under the categories in Annex IV of the 7th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.

• Categories and examples of laboratory uses

Please note: unless you are applying for a waiver of the application fee, assessment of applications will not commence until the full application fee of $3,000 is received by the department. Application fees are non-refundable. There is no provision in the Act nor the Regulations that gives the Minister or his delegate the power to refund the licence fee paid as part of a licence application that an applicant subsequently does not require.

For more information about the Essential Uses Licence and the criteria upon which the Minister may waive the application fee, please refer to:

• Essential Uses Licences

• Personal/Company details – the legally recognised name of the entity applying for the licence. In the case of organisations, the legal name must match the name registered on the Australian Business Register website
  • Australian Business Register website 
• The current ABN (if an organisation)
• Street and Postal Address
• The name and contact details of the applicant (if an individual) or authorised person (if an organisation) signing the application form
• The name and contact details of a contact person that will be responsible for submitting reports to the department on a quarterly basis
• Details about the proposed activity (import, export or manufacture), including:
  • Substance type (Carbon Tetrachloride, CFC, etc)
  • The amount of each substance proposed to be imported/exported (in grams)
  • End-use of the proposed activity including efforts made in transitioning to alternative, non-Ozone Depleting Substances.
  • Country of origin or country of destination

• If you answer YES to any of the questions under the Suitability Questionnaire you will need to provide details outlining the circumstances under which the event(s) occurred.

• A copy of the certified1 ID of the person signing the application form (for organisations, the person signing the application form must be the director or someone in the organisation who has the authority to sign on behalf of the director(s)).
• If a TRUST, a copy of the deed confirming person signing the application has the authority to sign on behalf of other trustees.
• If a PARTNERSHIP, you must supply a document that shows authority to sign and submit this licence application on behalf of the other partners.
• Customs import/export documentation (if available)
• Documentation confirming that the proposed activity meets the “essential use criteria” outlined in Annex IV of the 7th meeting of the parties to the Montreal Protocol; and
  • Categories and examples of laboratory uses
• Supporting documentation (e.g. extracts from relevant scientific literature/journals) confirming that there are no alternative/viable substances in the market.
• If you are applying for a fee waiver – supporting documentary evidence that the import/export is for test purposes.

Apply for this licence if you wish to import or export used or recycled Halons, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) and Methyl Chloroform (CH3CCl3).

Important Notice: Applications for a Used Substances Licence for the purpose of import for domestic reuse will generally not be granted as import for this purpose is not in line with the intent of the import licensing provisions of the Ozone and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989, as per paragraphs 24 and 25 of the Explanatory Memorandum for the 2003 Act amendments. The department has recently formalised it's policy on used ODS, please see the following link for the full policy document:

• Policy on the Import and Export of Used Ozone Depleting Substances {PDF - 53KB) |  (Word - 42KB)

Please also note that unless you are applying for a waiver of the application fee, assessment of applications will not commence until the full, cleared payment of application fee of $15,000 is received by the department. Application fees are non-refundable. There is no provision in the Act nor the Regulations that gives the Minister or his delegate the power to refund the licence fee paid as part of a licence application that an applicant subsequently does not require.

For more information about the Used Substances Licence and the criteria upon which the Minister may waive the application fee, please refer to:

• Used Substances licences

• Personal/Company details – the legally recognised name of the entity applying for the licence. In the case of organisations, the legal name must match the name registered on the Australian Business Register website
  • Australian Business Register website 
• The current ABN (if an organisation)
• Street and Postal Address
• The name and contact details of a the applicant (if an individual) or authorised person (if an organisation) signing the application form
• The name and contact details of a contact person that will be responsible for submitting reports to the department on a quarterly basis.
• Details about the proposed activity (import, export), including:
  • Substance proposed to be imported and/or exported
  • Substance condition (recycled or used, not recycled)
  • Country of origin and/or country of destination
  • Purpose (end-use), e.g. destruction in the country of destination, etc
  • Substance quantity in metric tonnes (Mt)
  • If importing used or recycled ODS – details about the destruction or recycling facility and technology in Australia, including reason why the proposed substance could not be sourced in Australia, and the financial arrangements that demonstrates how the destruction of the used ODS will be funded.
  • If exporting used or recycled ODS - details about the destruction or recycling facility and technology in the destination country, including reason why the proposed substance(s) could not be destroyed or recycled in Australia.
  • If importing and exporting (following recycling) – details encompassing both points outlined above.

• A copy of the certified1 ID of the person signing the application form (for organisations, the person signing the application form must be the director or someone in the organisation who has the authority to sign on behalf of the director(s)).
• If a TRUST, a copy of the deed confirming person signing the application has the authority to sign on behalf of other trustees.
• If a PARTNERSHIP, you must supply a document that shows authority to sign and submit this licence application on behalf of the other partners.
• Documentation confirming membership with an approved Product Stewardship Scheme, currently Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) (only required for imports of used or recycled ODS)
  • Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) 
• If applying for a USL for the purpose of import used HCFCs for reuse in Australia – provide supporting documentation to substantiate the import meets the exceptional circumstances criteria. The department considers the following circumstances as exceptional circumstances:
  1. It is necessary for health, safety or is critical for the functioning of society (encompassing cultural and intellectual aspects); and
  2. There are no available technically and economically feasible alternatives or substitutes that are acceptable from the standpoint of environment and health; and
  3. It is demonstrated to the department that all economically feasible steps will be taken to minimise the essential use and any associated emission of the controlled substances (where relevant): and
  4. The controlled substance is not available in sufficient quantity and quality from existing stocks of banked or recycled controlled substances, also bearing in mind the developing countries’ need for controlled substances.
• If importing used ODS for destruction, for recycle and re-export, or for recycle and reuse in Australia (if the import meets the exceptional circumstances criteria):
  • evidence confirming that the ODS officer (or second in command to the ODS officer) from the country’s National Ozone Unit (NOU) has approved the export of the used ODS, and that there will be no impacts on the exporting country’s phase out schedule.
  • evidence that demonstrates that the substances being imported are in fact “used” and have not come from illegal trade.
  • Evidence that the destruction facility or plant is fit for purpose and it has been accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).
  • evidence to demonstrate that the proposed destruction/recycling technology is in the list of approved destruction processes; and that the technology operates in accordance with the Code of Good Housekeeping as specified in Annexes II and III, respectively, in the Report to the Fifteenth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, 11 November 2003
    • Report to the Fifteenth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 
  • evidence confirming appropriate financial arrangements are in place to fund the destruction/recycling of the used substance(s) proposed to be imported into Australia
• If you are applying for a fee waiver – supporting documentation confirming that the exemption will be used for the import of a product is for its disposal (you must include the details of the destruction facility).

Apply for this exemption if you plan on importing, exporting or manufacturing products listed in Schedule 4 of the Act.

Please note: unless you are applying for a waiver of the application fee, assessment of applications will not commence until the full, cleared payment of application fee of $3,000 is received by the department. Application fees are non-refundable. There is no provision in the Act nor the Regulations that gives the Minister or his delegate the power to refund the licence fee paid as part of a licence application that an applicant subsequently does not require.

For more information about an Exemption under Section 40 and the criteria upon which the Minister may waive the application fee, please refer to: Exemptions under Section 40

• Personal/Company details – the legally recognised name of the entity applying for the licence. In the case of organisations, the legal name must match the name registered on the Australian Business Register website
  • Australian Business Register website 
• The current ABN (if an organisation)
• Street and Postal Address
• The name and contact details of the applicant (if an individual) or authorised person (if an organisation) signing the application form
• The name and contact details of a contact person that will be responsible for submitting reports to the department on a quarterly basis
• Details about the proposed activity (import, export or manufacture), including:
  • The product type (e.g. dry cleaning machinery, etc)
  • The product description, including product name, make and model
  • The type of substance contained within the product (e.g. halon, etc) being imported, exported or manufactured.
  • The amount of substance (in bulk or contained within each product) in grams or kilograms
  • The number of units
  • Approximate dates the product is expected to arrive in Australia (if an import)
  • Country of origin or country of destination
  • Detailed information describing the grounds on which the Exemption under Section 40 is being sought. The Minister can grant an Exemption where:
    1. the product is essential for medical, veterinary, defence, industrial safety or public safety purposes; and no practical alternative exists to the use of scheduled substances in the operation or manufacture of the product it is to continue to be effective for such a purpose.

    OR

    2. There is no practical alternative to the use of scheduled substances in the operation or manufacture of the product because of the requirements of law concerning the manufacture or use of the product

    OR

    3. The product is for use in the calibration of scientific, measuring or safety equipment.

• If you answer YES to any of the questions under the Suitability Questionnaire you will need to provide details outlining the circumstances under which the event(s) occurred.

• A copy of the certified1 ID of the person signing the application form (for organisations, the person signing the application form must be the director or someone in the organisation who has the authority to sign on behalf of the director(s)).
• If a TRUST, a copy of the deed confirming person signing the application has the authority to sign on behalf of other trustees.
• If a PARTNERSHIP, you must supply a document that shows authority to sign and submit this licence application on behalf of the other partners.
• Customs import/export documentation (if available)
• Supporting documentation confirming the basis on which the Exemption is sought. If you are seeking the Exemption on the grounds that:
  1. the product is essential for medical, veterinary, defence, industrial safety or public safety purposes; and no practical alternative exists to the use of scheduled substances in the operation or manufacture of the product it is to continue to be effective for such a purpose. (attach documentary evidence confirming equipment’s essential use and include research results confirming that there are no practical alternatives in the market).

  OR

  2. there is no practical alternative to the use of scheduled substances in the operation or manufacture of the product because of the requirements of law concerning the manufacture or use of the product (attach extract(s) of the section(s) of the relevant law/piece of legislation concerned)

  OR

  3. The product is for use in the calibration of scientific, measuring or safety equipment (attach extracts of technical manuals of the scientific/ safety equipment confirming that it can only be calibrated using the specified controlled substance).
• If you are applying for a fee waiver – supporting documentation confirming that the exemption will be used for the import of a product is for its disposal (you must include the details of the destruction facility).