Business owner fined after search nets illegal fireworks

NT WorkSafe has fined a Darwin business owner $5,844 after searching a commercial premises in July last year.

The search was conducted after NT WorkSafe were alerted to videos posted on social media of illegal fireworks being used in a dangerous manner.

A quantity of fireworks was seized during the raid, including Roman Candles and Self-Loading Mortars which have been gazetted as banned in the Northern Territory since 2013.

The business owner was fined for the following three breaches:

• Possessing explosives (fireworks) without a licence.
• Using illegal fireworks.
• Using fireworks in a way that could injure a person or animal, or damage property.

NT WorkSafe’s Executive Director Grant Hastie said the business owner was fined instead of being prosecuted due to their cooperation during the investigation and clean compliance history. A formal warning was given to the business that they may face further enforcement action if they offend again.

“With Territory Day in two days’ time, I’m asking everyone to follow the rules and celebrate with fireworks safely.”

“Only buy fireworks from a licenced fireworks retailer, always read the warning label so you know what to expect, and never use fireworks in a way that could injure a person, or damage property,” Mr Hastie said.

The 2026 approved periods for fireworks are:

• Sale and purchase: Wednesday 1 July 9.00am to 9.00pm
• Use of fireworks: Wednesday 1 July 6.00pm to 11.00pm
• Possession: Wednesday 1 July 9.00am to Thursday 2 July 12noon.