Hazardous Substances vs Dangerous Goods: What’s the Difference in NSW?

A lot of people use “hazardous substances” and “dangerous goods” as if they mean the same thing. They don’t — and in a compliance context, getting the distinction wrong can leave workers untrained and businesses exposed.

Here’s the clear difference, what each term means in NSW, and what training applies to each.

What Are Dangerous Goods?

Dangerous goods are substances or articles classified under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code) as presenting an immediate physical or chemical hazard during transport. The classification is based on the UN Model Regulations and covers nine hazard classes — from explosives and flammable liquids through to corrosives and radioactive materials.

Dangerous goods regulation focuses primarily on transport — the risks that arise when these substances are being moved by road, rail, sea, or air. The framework is administered nationally through transport and EPA legislation.

In NSW, the Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Act 2008 and associated regulations govern who can transport DG, what documentation is required, and what licences must be held.

What Are Hazardous Substances?

Hazardous substances are materials that pose a health risk to workers through workplace exposure — through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. They are regulated under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011 and WHS Regulations, administered by SafeWork NSW.

Hazardous substances are identified using Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and classified according to the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The focus is on workplace health — chronic exposure, occupational disease, and worker safety — rather than transport hazards.

The Key Difference

Feature	Dangerous Goods	Hazardous Substances
Primary focus	Transport hazards	Workplace health hazards
Regulatory framework	ADG Code, EPA, Transport	WHS Act, SafeWork NSW
Classification system	UN hazard classes (1–9)	GHS / SDS
Example substances	Petrol, LPG, acids, explosives	Solvents, pesticides, cleaning agents
Training required	DG Licence / DG Awareness	Hazardous substances / WHS training

Importantly, a substance can be both a dangerous good and a hazardous substance. Petrol, for example, is a Class 3 dangerous good (flammable liquid) under the ADG Code, and a hazardous substance in the workplace due to its vapour inhalation risks. Compliance with DG transport regulations does not automatically satisfy workplace hazardous substance obligations — and vice versa.

What Training Applies to Each?

Dangerous Goods Training

For workers and drivers involved in the transport, storage, or handling of dangerous goods under the ADG Code:

• DG Driver Licence (TLILIC0001) — required for drivers of vehicles carrying DG at placardable quantities
• DG Awareness Training — for workers handling or working around DG who are not the licensed driver
• Store and Handle Dangerous Goods — for warehouse, depot, and site workers
• Prepare for Transport of Dangerous Goods — for consignors preparing loads for road transport

Hazardous Substances Training

Training for hazardous substances is typically delivered as part of a site’s WHS induction, or through specific chemical handling courses aligned to SafeWork NSW requirements. This is separate from DG training and is not delivered under the ADG Code framework.

If your business uses chemicals in the workplace, your WHS obligations require you to provide workers with information, instruction, and training on safe handling — including access to Safety Data Sheets and correct PPE.

What About DG Awareness Training?

The Dangerous Goods Awareness course at Kells Safety Centre is the right starting point for workers who need to understand dangerous goods without being the driver of a DG vehicle. This covers:

• The 9 classes of dangerous goods and their hazards
• Placard reading and recognition
• Emergency response basics
• Workplace DG storage and handling obligations
• Documentation requirements

This course is suitable for warehouse supervisors, logistics coordinators, depot managers, and anyone whose role puts them in contact with dangerous goods without driving them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a DG licence cover hazardous substances training?

No. The DG Driver Licence (TLILIC0001) covers transport compliance under the ADG Code. It does not cover workplace hazardous substances obligations under the WHS Act. Businesses need to address both separately if both apply.

Can one substance require both DG and hazardous substances compliance?

Yes — and this is common. Fuels, industrial chemicals, and agricultural products often fall under both frameworks. A business transporting and using these substances needs to comply with DG transport regulations and WHS hazardous substance requirements.

Who do I contact for DG transport compliance in NSW?

The NSW EPA administers dangerous goods transport regulation. The relevant legislation is the Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Act 2008. For workplace chemical safety, contact SafeWork NSW.

What’s the right DG training for my business?

It depends on your operation. If you have drivers transporting DG at placardable quantities, they need TLILIC0001. If workers handle, store, or prepare DG loads without driving, start with DG Awareness or Store and Handle. Contact Kells Safety Centre and we’ll point you in the right direction. View all options on our training courses page.

Not sure which DG training your team needs?
Kells Safety Centre (RTO 91528) delivers the full range of DG training in NSW — from the DG Driver Licence to DG Awareness and Store and Handle courses. Wetherill Park and Wollongong.

View All DG Training Courses → For regulatory details, refer to Safe Work NSW hazardous substances guidance.

What Happens If You Confuse the Two in a Compliance Context?

Getting the classification wrong has real consequences. If a substance is classified as a hazardous substance under WHS laws but you treat it as though it’s not dangerous goods — and it actually meets the ADG Code classification as well — you could be transporting it without the required DG licence, placards, and consignment note. That’s a Chain of Responsibility breach and a potential EPA infringement.

Conversely, over-classifying a substance as dangerous goods when it’s only a hazardous substance may lead to unnecessary compliance costs — but it’s rarely the issue that triggers enforcement action.

Practical Steps for NSW Businesses

If your business deals with chemicals — in transport, storage, or a workplace setting — here’s a practical starting point for NSW compliance:

• Check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each substance — it will indicate whether it is classified as dangerous goods under the ADG Code
• If it is dangerous goods and you transport it at placardable quantities, you need a Dangerous Goods Driver Licence (TLILIC0001)
• If it is a hazardous substance used in the workplace, your WHS obligations apply — refer to Safe Work NSW for hazardous chemical management requirements
• If you’re unsure whether your substance qualifies as dangerous goods, DG Awareness training is a good foundation — it covers classification and identification in practical terms

Kells Safety Centre (RTO 91528) delivers DG Awareness, TLILIC0001, and other transport safety courses at Wetherill Park and Wollongong. Visit the training courses page to check current dates and book your place in NSW.

The Regulatory Frameworks Side by Side

Understanding which legislation applies to your situation helps you identify exactly which training, documentation, and compliance obligations are relevant to your role in NSW:

• Dangerous goods by road: Governed by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code), enforced in NSW by the EPA. Requires a DG licence (TLILIC0001) for placardable loads, DG placards on vehicles, a consignment note, and compliance with the ADG Code’s packaging and labelling requirements.
• Hazardous substances in the workplace: Governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) and the WHS Regulations, enforced by Safe Work NSW. Requires a register of hazardous chemicals, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), risk assessments, and appropriate control measures.
• Substances that are both: A single chemical can appear on both the ADG Code dangerous goods list AND the WHS hazardous substances list. In this case, both sets of obligations apply — transport obligations under the ADG Code and workplace obligations under WHS legislation.

For detailed WHS guidance on hazardous chemical management, refer to Safe Work NSW. For transport-specific training in NSW, Kells Safety Centre (RTO 91528) delivers DG Awareness, TLILIC0001 DG Driver Licence, and Store and Handle Dangerous Goods courses at Wetherill Park and Wollongong. Visit the training courses page to check dates and book.