Industrial hemp crop monitoring and compliance

Licensees may plant industrial hemp crops for fibre or seed production on properties covered by a licence using appropriate seed or planting sources.

Seed or starting material must be sourced from a crop that has been officially sampled and tested, with the test result indicating total Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is below 0.5%.

When sourcing appropriate seed, always ask for a copy of the ‘crop analysis certificate’ from the crop that produced the seed. This analysis certificate plays an important role in reducing the risk of your crop returning a high THC result and must be submitted to the department with your Notification of Planting (Form 601) which is available below. 

The viability of industrial hemp seed can drop quickly over a year or two depending on storage conditions and other factors. Within 6 months of planting, you should seek a ‘germination test’ on prospective seed to determine its viability.

For more information on seed testing, see the department's DDLS Seed Testing and Certification services webpage.

Planting can only occur on properties that have been approved by the Registrar and appear on a valid industrial hemp licence.

The licensee must notify the Registrar within one week of planting a crop. The completed Notification of Planting form must be accompanied by an accurate map showing details of the planting and appropriate evidence of the seed or planting sources.

Note: Even if premises are licensed, the Registrar must be in possession of a Notification of Planting (Form 601) for a crop to be an authorised crop.

The department will conduct annual audits of compliance with licence conditions. These are usually conducted onsite and may be announced or unannounced. These licence audits will be charged at the department’s standard rates for inspection and travel. 

These rates are provided in the DPIRD Fees and Charges booklet, available on the fees and charges webpage.