Dangerous goods

At Qantas, safety is our first priority.

Our aim is to move shipments classified as dangerous goods as carefully and smoothly as possible, whilst safeguarding against any potential hazards to our staff, our aircraft and other cargo. Additional precautions need to be taken with shipments that may be corrosive, flammable, explosive, oxidising or reactive with water. Whatever their properties, great care is needed when handling, storing and transporting dangerous goods.

Some items used in day-to-day activities around the home, office or workshop, may appear of no real concern, however, are actually classified as Dangerous Goods when carried by Post or Air transport. Please check with your transport agency before simply sending such goods on their way.

Australia has adopted a system of classification and labelling for dangerous goods - from 1 to 9 - which can help quickly idenfity the properties and potential dangers:

1. Explosives - commercial explosives, fireworks, ammunition and flares
2. Gases - compressed and liquefied gases and aerosols
3. Flammable  liquids - lighter fluid, matches, paint thinner, fire lighters and alcohol
4. Flammable solids - adhesives, articles containing celluloid, oily rags and petrol
5. Oxidising substances and organic peroxides - bleaches, acids and pool chemicals, glass fibre repair kits, hair and textile dyes, disinfectants and adhesives
6. Toxic and infectious substances - viable micro-organisms and pathological samples
7. Radioactive materials - instruments and medical or research materials containing radioactive sources
8. Corrosive materials - acids, alkalis, wet-cell batteries, caustic soda and mercury
9. Miscellaneous dangerous goods - lithium batteries, magnetised materials, dry ice, machines equipped with fuel tanks, polymerisable materials, noxious or irritating substances, articles liable to damage aircraft structures and articles possessing other inherent characteristics that make them unsuitable for air carriage unless properly packed.