Key messages

  • The department issues three types of pest control licence - technician, trainee and interstate operator. 
  • There are four licence authorisations.
  • A licence may be granted with one or more authorisations.
  • Applying for a pest control licence is a two-step process.
  • Licence fees increase each year in line with the Monetary Units Act 2004.
  • Pest control licences are issued in the form of a photo ID card.

There are three separate application forms for pest control licences, depending on which type you wish to apply for:

  • fully qualified technicians
  • trainees who are currently undertaking training in a prescribed course while applying pesticides under the supervision for a fully qualified technician
  • technicians who reside in another Australian state or territory, and who hold a valid licence as an authorised user of pesticides in that state or territory, and who wish to operate in Victoria. 

Technician and Interstate operator licences expire three years after the date on which the licence is granted. 

Trainee licences expire 12 months after the date on which the licence is granted. 

A trainee licence may only be issued to a person on a maximum of three occasions unless exceptional circumstances apply. 

For further information about the three types of licences, refer to the Guidelines for pest control licensing in Victoria. Also see, Trainee pest control operators for specific information about trainees. 

As of March 2020, the department is trialling electronic submission of pest control licence applications. 

All applications for a pest control licence are required to be submitted via emailed to pestcontrol@dhhs.vic.gov.au

More information

  • Pest control licence holder eligibility

    Persons who have attained (or, in the case of a trainee, are in the process of attaining) an appropriate qualification may be granted a licence under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (PHW Act).

    To be granted a full licence, the applicant must have obtained the appropriate qualification as listed in Schedule 2 of the PHW Regulations – Approved Courses and Qualifications. A licence may be granted with one or more of the following authorisations:

    • pesticides (excluding fumigants) formulated for the control of arthropods, rodents, birds and fungi, which are used to control pests (other than pest animals).
    • pesticides formulated for the control of pest animals.
    • pesticides in the form of fumigants.

    The licence authorises the person to use only the pesticide that they are qualified to use. 

    A list of the prescribed qualifications is included in the department's Guidelines for pest control operators in Victoria. 

  • Pest control licences – current fees

    An applicant will not be granted a licence unless he or she has paid the fee prescribed in the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009.

    Licence application and renewal fees increased on 1 July 2019 in line with the Monetary Units Act 2004. Licence applications or applications to renew licences are now subject to the following fees:

     Licence type  Fee  Duration
     Technician licence  $669.40  3 years
     Trainee licence  $222.20  1 year 
     Interstate operator licence  $72.60  3 years

  • Licence payment options

    Licences can be paid for using credit card of BPAY. Please note that it can take up to 2 days for a payment to reach our accounts.

    Phasing out cheque and money order payments by the end of 2018

    We would like to let you know of an important change in the way we will be accepting payments in the future.  During the second half of 2018, we will be phasing out cheques and money orders as a payment option for fees and we encourage you to choose digital payment methods over cheques or money orders.  Electronic payments are fast, secure, convenient and less administrative. In order to be sufficiently prepared, we will continue to communicate with you during the year until we cease accepting cheques and money orders as a payment option.

  • Processing times

    The department processes all licence applications in the order in which they are received. There is not an ‘urgent’ or ‘priority application’ process. We do however attempt to process applications as efficiently as possible.

    PCOs are advised to allow at least one week for a licence to be issued after payment is received and processed by the department. Credit card is recommended as the quickest method of payment. Incomplete applications will not be accepted, which may result in a delay in the licensing process.

  • Photo ID cards
    Trainee photo ID cards are generated on a green background to differentiate them from red licences which are only issued to fully qualified technicians. 
  • Pest control application refund policy

    Obtaining a refund

    In order to obtain a refund, you must make an application to the department. You may do this by completing the refund application form. You are required to provide proof of any payment(s) in support of your application. 

    Refused or withdrawn applications

    The department will fully refund the fee for an application that is refused or withdrawn prior to the issue of the licence.

    Surrender of licence

    Once a licence has been issued, no refunds will be granted regardless of whether the business of pest control or the reason for the licence ceases during the term of the licence and the licence is surrendered to the department. Surrendering a licence to the department does not entitle the holder to a refund. 

    Over-payments

    The department will refund in full for any over-payment. 

    Refunds

    Where approved, refunds will be issued to the individual or company that has proven they made the payment.

    Where bank details are provided on the application form, refunds will be issued via EFT.

    Refunds can take up to 60 days to be issued following receipt of a completed application. 

    The department will accept applications for a refund up to 12 months after the date of payment.

    Minimum refund amount

    The department is unable to process refunds amounting to less than $2. 

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