On 3 June 2026, the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) published a new self-guided online decision tool on its official website — the “Research and Development (R&D) Categorisation Decision Tool.” The tool is designed to help chemical importers, manufacturers, and their suppliers quickly determine whether their proposed chemical introduction qualifies for the R&D Exempted Category or the R&D Reported Category. AICIS stated in its announcement: “Our new self-guided research and development (R&D) decision tool helps to work out if an introduction is eligible for the R&D exempted or reported categories.” The tool can be accessed directly at:
https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/form/research-and-development-work-ou
Who Is It For
The decision tool is an online questionnaire designed for:
- Chemical importers
- Chemical manufacturers
- Chemical suppliers
It is used to determine whether their proposed chemical introduction meets the criteria for either the R&D exempted or R&D reported category.
When the Tool Does Not Apply
AICIS explicitly states that this tool is not for listed introductions. If your R&D introduction involves a chemical that is already on the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (Inventory), you should use the AICIS Categorisation Guide to check if it meets the criteria for the listed category.
How the Tool Helps
AICIS states that the tool will help users in the following ways:
- Instant feedback — after completing the questionnaire, you will immediately get a clear answer if your introduction does not meet the R&D criteria;
- Category determination — if your introduction is indeed for R&D purposes, the tool will tell you whether it is eligible for the exempted category (very low risk) or the reported category (low risk);
- Next steps guidance — if your introduction does not meet the requirements for the R&D exempted or reported categories, the tool will tell you what to do next.
Tool Content: Decision Questions Explained
The tool is presented in the form of a Decision Tree, where users must sequentially answer a series of “yes/no” questions. The following is the complete decision flow:
Possible Decision Outcomes
Based on the user's answers, the tool will provide one of three outcomes:
Outcome 1: Exempted Category
Meaning: Your R&D chemical introduction meets the exempted category criteria and is classified as a very low risk introduction.
Compliance requirements:
- If you are already registered with AICIS, you can introduce the chemical without notifying AICIS first
- You must keep records for the introduction type: exempted — research and development
- Submit an annual declaration at the end of the registration year (from August)
- Post-introduction declarations are NOT required
- Outcome 2: Reported Category
Meaning: Your R&D chemical introduction meets the reported category criteria (but not the exempted criteria) and is classified as a low risk introduction.
Compliance requirements:
- You must be registered with AICIS
- Submit a once-off pre-introduction report — research and development before you introduce the chemical
- Keep records about the introduction
- Submit an annual declaration at the end of the registration year (from August)
Outcome 3: Not Eligible for R&D Category
Meaning: Based on your answers, your introduction does not meet the criteria for either the R&D exempted or reported category.
Next steps: The tool will guide you back to Step 2 or Step 4 of the Categorisation Guide to continue working out your introduction category through alternative pathways.
How to Use the Tool
Step 1: Access the Tool
Open the decision tool page on the AICIS website , or access it through the prompt link on the AICIS homepage.
Step 2: Prepare Materials
Before using the tool, it is recommended to have the following materials ready:
- SDS (Safety Data Sheet) or product information sheet for the chemical (to determine the physical form of the chemical)
- Particle size distribution study report for the chemical (if the chemical is in solid or powder form, to determine if it is a nanomaterial)
- Your business's AICIS registration information
- Estimated introduction volume information (calculated per registration year: 1 September to 31 August)
Step 3: Complete Pre-requisite Steps
Ensure you have first completed the following steps of the AICIS categorisation process:
- Step 0: Determine if the chemical belongs to the listed category (Listed Category)
- Step 1: Determine if the chemical is one that cannot be exempted or reported (if so, an assessment certificate application is required)
Step 4: Answer Questions Sequentially
Follow the order of questions in the tool, and based on the prepared materials, select “Yes,” “No,” or “I don't know” for each question. Explanatory notes are provided below each question to help understand the meaning. AICIS emphasises: “This tool is easy to use — complete it at your own pace!”
Step 5: Review Results and Fulfil Compliance Obligations
After completing all questions, the tool will automatically provide the determination result (exempted category / reported category / not eligible) and clearly state the subsequent compliance obligations.
Important Notice
AICIS includes a disclaimer on the tool page: This decision tool is for information only. Filling out this decision tool alone does not meet your record-keeping requirements. Businesses must still comply with the record-keeping requirements under the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 and the Industrial Chemicals General Rules, and maintain complete compliance records.
