Important: This page is an independent reference summary. Verify classification decisions against the official ABS source before using them for tax, licensing, immigration or compliance purposes.

What this class covers

ANZSIC class 0911 categorises Australian businesses primarily engaged in extracting, processing and supplying natural sand and gravel materials. These operations typically involve quarrying from natural deposits, followed by washing, screening and sometimes grading to meet specific construction or landscaping requirements. The materials are essential for concrete production, road base, drainage systems, and various civil engineering projects.

Typical operations in this classification include sand extraction from riverbeds or dedicated pits, gravel quarrying operations that supply construction aggregates, and businesses that specialise in washing and screening these materials to remove impurities and achieve consistent particle sizes. Many operations serve local construction markets due to the high transport costs associated with bulk materials.

Examples of businesses in this class include:

  • River gravel extraction operations that supply materials to concrete batch plants
  • Specialist sand quarries that produce fine aggregates for construction and landscaping
  • Operations gathering ornamental rocks and pebbles for decorative purposes
  • Businesses that wash and screen naturally occurring gravel to meet construction specifications
  • Pit operations extracting both sand and gravel products for local building supplies

Primary activities in plain English

The main activities falling under this classification include:

  • Extracting pebbles from natural deposits through quarrying operations
  • Quarrying river gravel, including subsequent washing and screening processes
  • Gathering ornamental rocks from natural environments for commercial purposes
  • Quarrying sand through various extraction methods, with washing and screening to achieve desired specifications

These activities focus on the initial extraction and basic processing of naturally occurring sand and gravel materials rather than manufacturing processed products.

Exclusions and nearby codes

This classification specifically excludes certain related activities that fall under different ANZSIC codes:

Businesses operating across multiple activities may need to review their primary revenue sources to determine correct classification.

Practical guidance

When registering your business with the Australian Business Register, ensure you select the correct ANZSIC code as it determines your Business Industry Classification (BIC) code. The BIC code affects your workers' compensation premiums, as different quarrying operations have varying risk profiles.

For tax purposes, businesses in this classification should maintain detailed records of extraction volumes, as some states impose royalties or resource taxes on quarry operations. The Australian Taxation Office may require specific reporting for businesses in the mining sector.

Environmental regulations significantly impact gravel and sand quarrying operations. Most states require development approvals and environmental impact assessments for new quarries, plus ongoing compliance with rehabilitation requirements. Industry associations such as the Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia can provide sector-specific guidance on regulatory compliance.

This classification maps to BIC code 9110 for statistical reporting purposes, and businesses may need to respond to Australian Bureau of surveys about production volumes and industry trends.