How to become an Exterminator
If you’re interested in a career as an exterminator in Australia, you’ve come to the right place. To become an exterminator in Australia, you must be trained and certified to use specific pesticides for pest control. Getting rid of pests and terminates is an important role, so it’s critical you understand the laws and regulations governing extermination so that your work meets safety standards. Here’s what you need to know about becoming an exterminator in Australia.
Step 1: Complete pest control training
There are no formal educational requirements for becoming an exterminator. However, it’s best to get some sort of certification related to pest control before applying for jobs as an exterminator. A common course to complete is a Certificate III in Pest Management. This qualification can be completed at a vocational school or a TAFE institute. You also can find courses online or at your local college that will teach you the basics of identifying different pests and how to safely apply pesticides and other solutions for controlling them.
Step 2: Complete your licence
In order to become an exterminator in Australia, you must be licensed by the appropriate state or territory government agency. The Australian Pest Control Association (APCA) is a good place to start, as it provides a course in pest control, you can find out more here. Expect to spend around $2,000 - $3,000 to get the required training. This training involves passing a written exam on pest control theory and practices, as well as completing a practical assessment where you demonstrate your ability to safely apply pesticides and other solutions. Once you have obtained your license, it must be renewed annually or biennially depending on the state or territory requirements.
Step 3: Maintain your pesticide certification
In addition to obtaining a license from the relevant government agency, you must also obtain certification from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) before using any pesticides or other solutions for extermination purposes. This is because many of these products contain potentially hazardous chemicals that require special training in order to use them safely and effectively. The APVMA offers several different certification programs depending on which type of pesticide application you intend to perform (e.g., general pest control vs termite control). You must complete one of these programs before being allowed to purchase and use any regulated products for extermination purposes.
Step 4: Commence running a business
Now that you have the necessary certifications and licences, it’s time to get your business off the ground. To begin with, register an ABN, and set up a website and brand. You can advertise your services on local job boards, with flyers, or via online gig working platforms like Airtasker or HiPages. If you do a good job from the start, you should get positive word of mouth and referrals from your existing clients. Once you start earning income, you’ll also need to pay taxes. Signing up for a service like Thriday is an easy way to stay on top of your financial admin as an exterminator because everything is automated and located in one platform.
Becoming an exterminator in Australia requires careful adherence to both government licensing requirements as well as APVMA certification guidelines for pesticide usage. While there are no formal education requirements, taking courses related to pest identification and control can increase your chances of getting clients as your customers will want people to deal with people who are knowledgeable about their field of work. With the right preparation and business acumen, you’ll be bugging the competition in no time!
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