Role Title: Project Intern: Dangerous Goods Lithium-Ion Battery Guidance
Organisation: Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS)
Internship Period: Semester 1 (February - May)
Location: East Perth
The Dangerous Goods Safety Branch at LGIRS administers Western Australia’s Dangerous Goods legislation, regulating how dangerous goods are managed across industry and the community. Lithium‑ion batteries are classified as Class 9 (miscellaneous) dangerous goods, and incidents involving these batteries are therefore reported to and investigated by the Branch. With lithium‑ion battery fires increasing in recent years—and growing public concern—the Branch is prioritising work to improve lithium‑ion battery safety across Western Australia.
As part of this effort, the intern will research the key chemical and physical properties of lithium‑ion batteries and develop clear, practical guidance to help reduce the risk of battery‑related fires. This guidance will be tailored for several audiences, such as residential users, industrial users, mining companies, and transport operators.
To shape this material, the intern will collaborate closely with teams across LGIRS, including Dangerous Goods, Building and Energy, and Safety Education. They will also work with external partners such as DFES and ChemCentre to ensure the information is accurate, relevant, and reflects real incident trends. This project offers the intern a valuable opportunity to contribute directly to community safety while gaining experience across regulatory, technical, and emergency response perspectives.
The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety's mission is to support a safe, fair and resilient economy where Western Australian industries, workers, consumers and communities thrive.