Controlled waste

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation regulates the transportation of controlled wastes on a road in Western Australia under the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004
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The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the department) regulates the transportation of controlled waste on roads in Western Australia (WA) by administering the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004 (the Regulations) under the Environmental Protection Act 1986.

The Regulations provide for the licensing of carriers, drivers and vehicles transporting controlled waste on a road in WA. Under the Regulations, obligations also exist for controlled waste holders, transit facilities and waste facilities. You can find copies of Acts of Parliament and subsidiary legislation on the Western Australian Legislation website.

General information on the department’s regulatory role and timeframes for assessments and determinations is outlined in our Regulatory services fact sheet.

We administer an electronic Controlled Waste Tracking System to facilitate the tracking of controlled waste on a road in WA. You can access the Controlled Waste Tracking System here:

Controlled Waste Tracking System

Discharges or spills of controlled waste from a premises, vehicle or tank can be reported to the department’s Pollution Watch service.

Controlled waste carriers

Carriers transporting controlled waste on a road in WA have statutory obligations under the Regulations. Our fact sheet, Requirements of controlled waste carriers provides information on these obligations and the requirements to hold a licence to transport bulk and packaged controlled waste.

Application for a controlled waste carrier licence

If you transport controlled waste on a road in WA, you are required to hold a controlled waste carrier licence issued under the Regulations. To assist in determining the type of controlled waste carrier licence you require, complete and submit application Form CW4 - Application enquiry for becoming a controlled waste carrier.

Once you have received a response to your application enquiry form, you will be advised of the next steps and may apply for a controlled waste carrier licence by completing and submitting application Form CW1 - Application for a controlled waste licence. Depending on the type of controlled waste carrier licence you are applying for, applications for drivers and vehicles and/or tanks used to transport controlled waste may also apply. Refer to the fact sheet Requirements of controlled waste carriers for further information.

Amendment to a controlled waste carrier licence

If any of your controlled waste licence details have changed, you intend to transport types of controlled waste you are not currently licensed for, or for any other types of amendments to your licence, you will need to complete and submit application Form CW8 - Amendment to controlled waste carrier or vehicle licence.

Application to transfer controlled waste carrier, vehicle or tank licence to new owner

If you are a licensed controlled waste carrier and have or intend to sell or otherwise dispose of your business, vehicle or tank to another person, the controlled waste carrier and/or bulk vehicle/tank licence may be transferred to the new owner. An application to transfer a controlled waste licence must be made in writing, within 30 days of the date of sale. To apply to transfer a controlled waste carrier or bulk controlled waste vehicle or tank licence, the new owner/operator will need to complete and submit application Form CW21 - Application to transfer controlled waste carrier licence and/or Form CW10 - Application for transfer of controlled waste vehicle/tank licence to assignee.

Controlled waste drivers

Drivers transporting controlled waste on a road in WA have statutory obligations under the Regulations. Our fact sheets, Requirements of bulk controlled waste drivers and Requirements of packaged controlled waste drivers provide guidance on these obligations and the requirement to hold a licence when transporting bulk controlled waste. 

How to apply for a licence as a driver to transport bulk controlled waste

A person employed or engaged by a carrier to transport bulk controlled waste on a road in WA must hold a valid controlled waste driver licence issued under the Regulations.

The driver information package for transportation of bulk controlled waste provides information for persons seeking to transport bulk controlled waste on a road in WA. Persons seeking to become licensed as a bulk controlled waste driver must:

Driver identification cards

Licensed controlled waste drivers are issued with a bulk driver identification card that they must carry with them when transporting controlled waste on a road in WA. Requests to replace lost or stolen bulk controlled waste driver identification cards must be made in writing to controlled.waste@dwer.wa.gov.au and include your full name, address and licence number.

Amendment to a controlled waste driver licence

If you hold a controlled waste driver’s licence and any of your licence details have changed or for any other types of amendments to your licence, you will need to complete and submit application Form CW9 - Amendment to a controlled waste driver licence.

Drivers transporting packaged controlled waste

Drivers transporting packaged controlled waste operate under a controlled waste carrier licence and are listed in the Controlled Waste Tracking System to facilitate electronic controlled waste tracking. The information recorded in the Controlled Waste Tracking System includes the driver’s motor vehicle licence number, address and contact telephone number.

A licensed controlled waste carrier can apply to list drivers they employ or engage to transport packaged controlled waste under the controlled waste carrier licence by completing and submitting application Form CW6 - List of drivers transporting packaged controlled waste.

Notification of a change of driver’s employer

When a bulk or packaged controlled waste driver is entered onto the Controlled Waste Tracking System, they are listed with the carrier company they are employed or engaged by. When a driver changes employment to work for a different controlled waste carrier, the driver’s employment details need to be updated.

To notify a change in employer details, complete and submit application Form CW7 - Notification of change of driver's employer.

Controlled waste vehicles and tanks

Vehicles and tanks transporting controlled waste on a road in WA have statutory obligations under the Regulations. Our fact sheets, Bulk controlled waste vehicles and tanks and Packaged controlled waste vehicles provide guidance on these obligations and the requirement for a vehicle or tank to hold a licence when transporting bulk controlled waste. 

Vehicles and tanks transporting bulk controlled waste

A vehicle or tank transporting bulk controlled waste on a road in WA must hold a valid controlled waste vehicle/tank licence issued under the Regulations. Tanks that are removable and can be attached to more than one vehicle or trailer may need to display a unique tank identification number, issued by the department.

To apply for a bulk controlled waste vehicle/tank licence (includes dangerous goods licensed vehicles/tanks) complete and submit application Form CW3 - Application to license a vehicle/tank to transport controlled waste.

If your vehicle or tank is licensed under the Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007, you do not need to hold a controlled waste vehicle or tank licence or pay the prescribed controlled waste licence fee. You will need to supply a copy of the relevant dangerous goods licence when completing the application form.

Vehicle identification cards

Licensed controlled waste vehicles or tanks are issued with a bulk controlled waste vehicle or tank identification card, that must accompany the vehicle or tank when it is transporting controlled waste on a road in WA. Requests to replace lost or stolen bulk controlled waste vehicle or tank identification cards must be made in writing by email to controlled.waste@dwer.wa.gov.au and include the carrier’s name, address and licence number.

Amendment to a controlled waste carrier or vehicle licence

If you hold a controlled waste licence and any of your licence details have changed, you intend to transport types of controlled waste you are not currently licensed for, or any other types of amendments to your licence, you will need to complete and submit application Form CW8 - Amendment to controlled waste carrier or vehicle licence.

Vehicles and trailers used to transport packaged controlled waste

Vehicles and trailers transporting packaged controlled waste operate under a controlled waste carrier licence and are listed in the Controlled Waste Tracking System to facilitate electronic controlled waste tracking. The information entered into the Controlled Waste Tracking System includes the vehicle/trailer registration number, make, model and carrying capacity. You can apply to list vehicles and trailers transporting packaged controlled waste under your controlled waste carrier licence by completing and submitting application Form CW5 - List of vehicles(s) or trailer(s) used to transport packaged controlled waste.

Application to transfer a bulk controlled waste vehicle or tank licence to new owner

If you are a licensed controlled waste carrier and have or intend to sell or otherwise dispose of your business, vehicle or tank to another person, the bulk controlled waste vehicle or tank licence may be transferred to the new owner. An application to transfer a controlled waste licence must be made in writing, within 30 days of the date of sale. To apply to transfer a bulk controlled waste vehicle or tank licence, complete and submit application Form CW10 - Application for transfer of controlled waste vehicle/tank licence to assignee.

Application to transport anything other than a controlled waste in a licensed controlled waste vehicle or tank

If you hold a controlled waste vehicle or tank licence and intend to transport anything other than a controlled waste in the licensed vehicle or tank, complete and submit application Form CW24 - Application to transport anything other than a controlled waste in a licensed controlled waste vehicle or tank.

Waste holders

A waste holder has statutory obligations under the Regulations. A waste holder is a person who is in possession or control of a controlled waste on a premises, or whose apparatus or activities produce controlled waste.

Our fact sheet, Requirements of waste holders provides guidance on the statutory obligations of a waste holder. A waste holder is responsible for providing information relating to their controlled waste, including the type, amount, containment type and physical state. Refer to our publications under Controlled waste types and categorisation.

Waste facilities and transit facilities

A waste facility and transit facility are defined under r.3 of the Regulations. Occupiers of a waste facility and transit facility have statutory obligations under the Regulations. Our fact sheets Controlled waste facilities and Controlled waste transit facilities provide guidance on these obligations.

If you are a waste facility and/or transit facility intending to store, treat, reuse or dispose of a controlled waste, you must meet the definition of a waste facility or transit facility in the Regulations. To be listed in the Controlled Waste Tracking System, complete and submit Form CW14 - Application to list a waste facility or transit facility in the Controlled Waste Tracking System.

If you have a waste facility or transit facility listing in the Controlled Waste Tracking System, you can request to amend your profile in the system, including amendments to contact details, your approval or authorisation to operate the facility, types of controlled waste received at the facility or any other types of amendments. Complete and submit Form CW25 - Application to amend a waste facility or transit facility in the Controlled Waste Tracking System. If a waste facility or transit facility is sold to new owners or occupiers, an amendment to an existing profile may not apply. If the new owner or occupier has a different Australian Company Number (ACN) and/or Australian Business Number (ABN), you should apply to create a new listing in the Controlled Waste Tracking System.

Controlled waste tracking

Under the Regulations, all loads of bulk controlled waste (regardless of the amount), and all loads of packaged controlled waste equal to or greater than 200 kilograms or litres, must be accompanied by a controlled waste tracking form from the point of generation to unloading at a lawful waste facility. Our fact sheet Controlled waste tracking provides guidance on the statutory obligations of controlled waste tracking.

We provide access to the Controlled Waste Tracking System to carriers, drivers, waste facilities and transit facilities. If you are granted access to the Controlled Waste Tracking System, we provide a username and password to you or your nominated representative(s) to access your profile in the system. To request access to the Controlled Waste Tracking System, complete and submit application Form CW11 - Controlled Waste Tracking System access form - Industry.

An agency agreement may be required if you would like a representative from another company or business to have access to your Controlled Waste Tracking System profile. This may be required to facilitate entry of controlled waste tracking information from persons employed at related and/or subsidiary companies/businesses. Complete and submit application Form CW12 - Controlled Waste Tracking System agency agreement.

You may also apply to have a second carrier profile in the Controlled Waste Tracking System (also referred to as a child profile), in circumstances where your company has offices in different locations (e.g. a head office in Perth and a second office in Karratha). Complete and submit Form CW16 - Application for secondary carrier profile in the Controlled Waste Tracking System.

Controlled waste tracking user guides

We have created user guides to help you navigate and perform functions on the Controlled Waste Tracking System.

If you are a carrier, please refer to our Controlled Waste Tracking System general user guide – carriers.

If you are a waste facility, please refer to our Controlled Waste Tracking System general user guide - waste facilities.

Paper controlled waste tracking form book request

The department utilises the electronic Controlled Waste Tracking System as the primary means for tracking controlled waste. In limited circumstances, paper controlled waste tracking forms may be used. If you are a licensed controlled waste carrier, you may request a paper controlled waste tracking form book. Complete and submit the application Form CW20 - Paper Controlled waste tracking form book request. Please refer to the fees for a booklet of paper tracking fees prior to submitting the request form.

Controlled waste attachment form

When using a controlled waste tracking form, the number of waste collections may exceed the number of available collection lines available on the form. In this circumstance you may use Form CW15 - Controlled waste attachment form. The attachment form can only be used with a valid controlled waste tracking form.

Non-conforming load of controlled waste

Matters including where controlled waste characteristics, the controlled waste category and/or the amount of controlled waste has been incorrectly described on a controlled waste tracking form, other discrepancies or a load of controlled waste is not accompanied by a controlled waste tracking form may be reported to the department by completing and submitting Form CW19 - Notification of non-conforming load.

Interstate transport of controlled waste

The department reviews requests to transport controlled waste into and out of WA. If you intend to transport controlled waste into Western Australia, you will need to apply for a consignment authorisation by completing and submitting application Form CW17 - Application for a Consignment authorisation to transport controlled waste into Western Australia. If you are a waste transporter and hold a valid licence or authorisation issued by another jurisdiction within Australia and intend on transporting controlled waste into WA you need to complete and submit Form CW26 - Application to list an interstate controlled waste carrier in the Controlled Waste Tracking System.

When you transport controlled waste out of WA you need to apply to the relevant environmental agency in the receiving state or territory. If you intend to transport controlled waste out of WA to another state or territory, contact us for further information at controlled.waste@dwer.wa.gov.au.

More information on the movement of controlled waste between States and Territories is available at National Environment Protection (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories) Measure.

Fees and how to pay a fee

Schedule 3 of the Regulations sets out the statutory fees associated with licence and controlled waste tracking form numbers issued under the Regulations.

Payments of prescribed fees can be made by:

  • EFT/bank transfer
  • BPoint secure credit card payment online
  • mail - Cheque or money order made payable to the Department of Water and Environment Regulation.

Visit our website for information on how to make a payment.

Where relevant, our application forms also provide information on payment methods. Please ensure your payment includes a reference, applicant or licence holder name, contact telephone number and if relevant, invoice number.

Fees prescribed in Schedule 3 of the Regulations

Type of fee Period

Fee ($)

Licence as a carrier (r4.4(1)) One year 225.00
  Three years 555.00
  Five years 885.00
Licence as a driver (r.4(1), 20(1)) One year 225.00
  Three years 555.00
  Five years 885.00
Licence for a vehicle or tank (r.4(1)) One year 225.00
  Three years 555.00
  Five years 885.00
Renewal of licence as a carrier (r.9(1)) One year 165.00
  Three years 495.00
  Five years 825.00
Renewal of licence as a driver (r.9(1)) One year 60.00
  Three years 180.00
  Five years 300.00
Renewal of licence for a vehicle or tank (r.9(1)) One year 60.00
  Three years 180.00
  Five years 300.00
Application for a condition of a licence to be changed or removed (r.6(5))   105.00
Application for a transfer of licence (r.25C(2))   105.00
Controlled waste tracking number issued electronically on or after 16 April 2017   44.00
Controlled waste tracking number issued other than electronically on or after 16 April 2017   57.50

Controlled waste exemptions

Regulation 49 of the Regulations states that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the department may, by written notice, exempt a person from compliance with any, or all, of the Regulations in Parts 2 and 3 if the CEO is satisfied that the circumstances in which the exemption is requested are justifiable and accountable, and the exemption will not adversely affect the operation of these Regulations.

Further information regarding exemptions is available in the Controlled waste exemptions fact sheet. To apply for an exemption, complete and submit Form CW23 - Application for exemption under Regulation 49.

Current exemptions issues under r.49 of the Regulations

Exemption number Person notice issued to Date issued Expiry date Exemption notice
CWE04/2023 Brightwater Care Group Limited 29 September 2023 28 September 2026 CWE04/2023 Brightwater Care Group Limited notice (PDF)
CWE03/2023 Electricity Networks Corporation  22 June 2023 30 June 2026 CWE03/2023 Electricity Networks Corporation exemption notice (PDF)
CWE01/2023 CITIC Pacific Mining Management Pty Ltd 20 April 2023 31 March 2026 CWE01/2023 CITIC Pacific Mining Management Pty Ltd notice (PDF)
CWE19/2022 Home Link, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital 24 November 2022 30 November 2025 CWE19/2022 Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital exemption notice (PDF)
CWE15/2022 Cleanaway Pty Ltd 17 May 2022 30 November 2023 CWE15/2022 Cleanaway Pty Ltd (PDF)
CWE14/2022 View Health Pty Ltd 11 May 2022 15 April 2025 CWE14/2022 View Health Pty Ltd (PDF)
CWE12/2021 Western Australia Police Force 23 December 2021 30 September 2024 CWE12/2021 Western Australia Police Force (PDF)
CWE11/2021 Silver Chain Group Limited 23 December 2021 30 September 2024 CWE11/2021 Silver Chain Group Limited (PDF)
CWE10/2021 Shire of Moora 23 December 2021 30 September 2024 CWE10/2021 Shire of Moora (PDF)
CWE08/2021

Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd

7 September 2021 6 September 2024

CWE08-2018 Holcim Australia exemption notice (PDF)

CWE06/2021

Black Swan Health Limited

9 July 2021 30 June 2024

CWE06-2021 Black Swan Health Limited exemption notice (PDF)

CWE05/2021

Onsite Medical Care Pty Ltd

21 May 2021 31 May 2024

CWE05-2021 Onsite Medical Care Pty Ltd exemption notice (PDF)

CWE10/2020

Remedy Healthcare Group Pty Ltd

7 December 2020 30 November 2023

CWE10-2020 Remedy Healthcare Group exemption notice (PDF)

CWE08/2020

Shire of Dandaragan

11 September 2020 30 September 2023

CWE08-2020 Shire of Dandaragan exemption notice (PDF)

CWE07/2020

Shire of Gnowangerup

11 September 2020 30 September 2023

CWE07-2020 Shire of Gnowangerup exemption notice (PDF)

CWE01/2019

The Rotary Club of Swan Districts Inc

15 July 2019 20 July 2024

CWE01-2019 The Rotary Club of Swan Districts Inc exemption notice (PDF)

 

Review of the Regulations

You can find out more about our review of the Regulations and associated consultation summary report.

Annual aggregated data

Information on Australia’s hazardous wastes, including hazardous waste generation data is available from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.