South Australia implements significant changes to its explosives regulations

South Australia Implements Significant Changes to Its Explosives Regulations

South Australia has passed parliament's updated explosives legislation, replacing a bill that was first established back in 1936. The reform represents a major overhaul of how explosives are managed, stored and transported across the state.

What the New Explosives Act Means for Safety Professionals

The State Government says the Explosives Act 2024 updates and simplifies South Australia's explosives regulations, ensuring alignment with legislation of other Australian jurisdictions. This amendment brings the state's approach to hazardous materials into closer step with national standards.

Parliament approved the recently enacted legislation in September, with commencement set for mid-2026. That timeframe gives authorities sufficient room to establish supporting regulations and a new licensing framework before enforcement begins.

Consultation on New Regulations and Policy Settings

SafeWork SA has announced intentions to engage in consultation and collaboration with stakeholders regarding the regulations next year. Industry input will help shape policy settings covering storage, transport and handling of hazardous chemicals used across construction, manufacturing and defence-adjacent sectors.

For organisations managing hazardous goods, this consultation period offers a valuable opportunity to raise practical concerns about storage requirements, transport logistics and workplace safety obligations before regulations are finalised.

Increased Penalties Reflect Catastrophic Risk

SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell said penalties outlined in new legislation are increased, and in certain instances, significantly higher than those specified under the existing Act.

"The penalties are consistent with other legislation and reflect the potential for catastrophic harm to people, property, and the environment should the duties be breached," he said.

Higher penalties signal a firmer regulatory stance on safety compliance, particularly where breaches could compromise health outcomes for workers or nearby communities. Organisations handling explosives, hazardous chemicals or related dangerous goods should treat this policy shift as a prompt to review existing storage and transport practices well ahead of the 2026 commencement date.

Preparing for the Transition

Businesses operating under South Australia's explosives legislation should begin reviewing internal safety procedures now, rather than waiting until the new licensing framework takes effect. Early preparation supports smoother compliance once regulations are finalised.

Safety professionals may also find it useful to compare this reform against other recent state-level changes, such as new psychological health regulations set to take effect in South Australia and South Australia's move to criminalise industrial manslaughter, both of which reflect a broader trend toward stricter enforcement and higher accountability across the state's safety framework.

Organisations seeking to strengthen their broader safety management systems ahead of these transport and storage reforms can also review resources such as the WA Construction Site OSHE Management Pack for Principal Contractors, which outlines practical approaches to managing site-based hazards.

Find out more here.