What Is a Dangerous Goods Consignment Note? NSW Guide

A dangerous goods consignment note is one of the most important documents in the DG transport chain — and one of the most frequently misunderstood. Get it wrong and you’re looking at enforcement action, delays, and potential liability under Chain of Responsibility law.

This guide explains exactly what a dangerous goods consignment note is, what it must contain, who prepares it, and what happens when it’s missing or incorrect in NSW.

What Is a Dangerous Goods Consignment Note?

A dangerous goods consignment note (sometimes called a DG declaration or transport document) is a legal document that accompanies every dangerous goods shipment in NSW. It identifies the goods being transported, classifies their hazard, and provides critical emergency information for first responders, drivers, and receiving parties.

It is required under the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code, which is the national standard for safe road transport of dangerous goods. The ADG Code sets out exactly what must be included in a consignment note and how it must be formatted.

The consignment note is not optional. It must travel with the goods — from pickup to delivery.

Who Prepares the Consignment Note?

The consignor prepares the dangerous goods consignment note. The consignor is the person or company sending the goods — typically the manufacturer, distributor, or warehouse operator packing the load for transport.

This is an important point under Chain of Responsibility (CoR) law. The consignor carries primary legal responsibility for the accuracy of the consignment note. If the document contains errors — wrong UN number, incorrect quantity, wrong packing group — the consignor can be prosecuted even if they never drove the vehicle.

This is why prepare-for-transport training is not just useful — it’s essential for anyone in a consignor role.

What Must a Dangerous Goods Consignment Note Include?

The ADG Code specifies the mandatory information. A compliant consignment note must contain:

Goods identification

• Proper shipping name — the official ADG Code name for the substance (not a trade name)
• UN number — the 4-digit international hazard identifier (e.g. UN 1203 for petrol)
• Dangerous goods class — the primary hazard class (e.g. Class 3: Flammable Liquid)
• Subsidiary risk — if the goods carry a secondary hazard
• Packing group — I, II, or III (indicating degree of hazard — not required for all classes)

Quantity and packaging

• Total quantity of each dangerous good (in litres, kilograms, or other appropriate unit)
• Number and type of packages, containers, or IBCs
• Flashpoint (for flammable liquids in Class 3)

Contact and emergency information

• Consignor’s name and address
• Consignee’s name and address
• Emergency contact phone number — must be available 24/7 and answered by someone who knows the goods

Declaration

The consignor must include a signed declaration confirming the information is correct and the goods are properly classified, packaged, marked, and labelled in accordance with the ADG Code.

When Is a Consignment Note Required?

A consignment note is required whenever dangerous goods are transported by road in NSW at or above the placardable quantity threshold set by the ADG Code.

Some goods classes have very low thresholds — for example, certain toxic or corrosive substances require documentation from relatively small quantities. Others, like limited quantity goods, may be exempt.

If you’re unsure whether your load requires a consignment note, the safest approach is to prepare one anyway. A consignment note for a non-placardable load costs you nothing. A missing consignment note for a placardable load can cost you significantly.

See our related guide: Dangerous Goods Placards NSW: What They Mean and When You Need Them.

What Is the Difference Between a Consignment Note and a Manifest?

These are often confused but serve different purposes:

• Consignment note: Required for every DG shipment. Describes the specific goods in that consignment — class, UN number, quantity, packaging.
• Transport manifest: Required when a vehicle is carrying multiple dangerous goods consignments (multi-stop or multi-consignor loads). The manifest lists all consignments on board and must be carried in the driver’s cab.

On a single-consignment run (one sender, one receiver), the consignment note alone is sufficient. On a multi-drop run with different goods, a manifest is also required.

What Happens If the Consignment Note Is Wrong or Missing?

Inspectors from the NSW EPA and Transport for NSW conduct roadside checks of DG vehicles. If a vehicle is found carrying dangerous goods without a compliant consignment note, the consequences can include:

• On-the-spot fines for the driver
• Vehicle prohibition — the load cannot continue until documentation is produced
• Prosecution of the consignor for the incorrect or missing declaration
• Increased scrutiny of the business through follow-up audits

Under CoR, the employer and scheduler may also face liability if they failed to ensure documentation was in order before dispatch.

Refer to NSW EPA dangerous goods licensing and compliance for enforcement information.

Consignment Note Recordkeeping

Consignment notes must be kept for at least 2 years after the date of transport. This applies to both the consignor and the carrier. Records may be paper or electronic, but must be retrievable for inspection.

Good recordkeeping practice includes:

• Filing by date and UN number
• Cross-referencing with vehicle logs and driver records
• Backing up electronic records off-site

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a dangerous goods consignment note the same as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?

No. An MSDS (or SDS — Safety Data Sheet) provides detailed chemical safety information about a substance. A consignment note is a transport document required by the ADG Code. Both may be required — the SDS for workplace handling, the consignment note for road transport.

Who can prepare a dangerous goods consignment note in NSW?

The consignor (the sender) prepares it. There is no licence required to complete a consignment note, but the person preparing it must have sufficient knowledge of the ADG Code to do so accurately. Prepare-for-transport training is strongly recommended.

Can a consignment note be electronic?

Yes. Electronic consignment notes are acceptable under Australian road transport law, provided they contain all required information and can be produced on request during a roadside inspection.

What UN number do I use on a consignment note?

The UN number is assigned to the substance in the ADG Code’s dangerous goods list. Look up your substance by name or chemical composition. If you’re unsure, contact the manufacturer — the SDS usually contains the UN number.

Do I need a consignment note for small quantities of dangerous goods?

It depends on the class and quantity. Many goods are exempt from the consignment note requirement at low quantities under the ADG Code’s limited quantities or exemption provisions. When in doubt, prepare the document.

What training covers DG consignment notes?

The Prepare for Transport of Dangerous Goods course at Kells Safety Centre covers consignment notes, labelling, packaging, and ADG Code documentation requirements. The DG Licence course (TLILIC0001) also includes documentation as a core competency.