What this class covers
ANZSIC class 1891 covers Australian businesses primarily engaged in manufacturing photographic chemicals and sensitised materials. This includes the production of light-sensitive products used in traditional and industrial photographic processes. The classification captures both chemical manufacturing and the application of light-sensitive coatings to various substrates.
Typical operations in this class include factories producing photographic developer and fixer solutions, facilities coating paper or film with light-sensitive emulsions, and manufacturers creating sensitised plates for printing or industrial applications. This sector serves both consumer photography markets and industrial applications such as printing plates, medical imaging, and technical photographic processes.
Examples of businesses in this classification include: a Melbourne-based manufacturer of photographic darkroom chemicals supplying art schools; a Sydney operation producing sensitised plates for offset printing; and a specialised facility in Perth creating sensitised films for medical X-ray applications.
Primary activities in plain English
- Manufacturing photographic chemicals such as developers, fixers, and processing solutions
- Producing light-sensitive photographic films for consumer or industrial use
- Manufacturing photographic papers with light-sensitive coatings for printing
- Creating sensitised plates used in printing or technical applications
- Producing sensitised cloth or other materials for photographic purposes
Exclusions and nearby codes
This class specifically excludes certain manufacturing activities that fall under other ANZSIC classifications. Manufacturing carbon black - a material used in inks and pigments - is classified under ANZSIC 1812: Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing. This distinction separates specialised photographic chemical production from broader organic chemical manufacturing.
The classification also excludes manufacturing unsensitised papers and paperboard products, which are included in ANZSIC 1510: Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Manufacturing. This ensures that paper manufacturing without light-sensitive coatings is classified separately from photographic paper production.
Practical guidance
When registering your business with the Australian Business Register, accurately selecting ANZSIC 1891 ensures proper classification for tax purposes and industry reporting. This classification may affect your Business Activity Statement (BAS) reporting requirements, particularly if you deal with chemicals subject to specific excise or regulatory considerations.
Workers' compensation premiums in Australia are often influenced by ANZSIC classifications, with chemical manufacturing typically carrying different risk assessments than other sectors. Businesses in this class should also investigate potential eligibility for manufacturing grants or R&D tax incentives, particularly if developing new photographic chemical formulations or production processes.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics uses this classification for industry data collection, so accurate reporting helps maintain reliable industry statistics. For businesses transitioning from traditional photographic products to digital alternatives, monitoring classification updates is recommended as industry definitions evolve.