[Australian waste code finder](https://complyonsite.com/tools/waste-code-finder-australia)

# J120 national waste code Bilge water, oily sludge & emulsions.

> J120 national waste code. Waste oil/water mixtures, hydrocarbon/water mixtures & emulsions. A national reporting category for oily wastes.
> Web page: https://complyonsite.com/tools/waste-code-finder-australia?code=national-j120

- Free, no account
- DCCEEW hazardous-waste data and reporting standard 2025
- Nothing is stored

## Is National J120 hazardous waste?

**Not from the code alone.** J120 is a DCCEEW reporting category that groups waste data nationally. It doesn't make every material with this description hazardous. State and territory rules decide the classification, exclusions and movement duties for a real load.

Enter J120 in the national waste-data category field when reporting under that standard. It isn't a transport certificate. A movement needs the code and record accepted where it starts, plus any required destination consignment authorisation for an interstate controlled load. Apply [separate interstate movement controls](https://complyonsite.com/tools/waste-code-finder-australia), because a reporting code gives no state movement classification.

## What does National J120 cover?

Water mixed or emulsified with oil or another hydrocarbon goes here. National examples are vehicle and industrial washwater, antifreeze, boiler or cooling-system water, and mixtures on either side of 50% oil or hydrocarbon.

- **Official wording**: Waste oil/water, hydrocarbons/water mixtures or emulsions
- **Reporting group**: Oils
- **Description edition**: 2015
- **Rule or list**: [Australian hazardous waste data and reporting standard, 2025 edition](https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/australian-hazardous-waste-data-reporting-standard-2025.pdf)

## Is oil-and-water waste National J120 or J100?

| Code | When it fits |
| --- | --- |
| J120 | Oil or another hydrocarbon is mixed or emulsified with water. |
| [J100](https://complyonsite.com/tools/waste-code-finder-australia?code=national-j100) | The waste is mineral oil, which matches the J100 description. |

These examples show the national category only. A state may use a different code, threshold or facility permission, so use that state's list before preparing transport paperwork.

## Which wastes take National J120?

| Waste | When it’s J120 |
| --- | --- |
| Oil and water mixtures | The waste is an oil-water mixture or emulsion. |

## Which codes sit beside National J120?

| Code | What it is |
| --- | --- |
| [G160](https://complyonsite.com/tools/waste-code-finder-australia?code=national-g160) | Other organic-solvent process waste |
| [H100](https://complyonsite.com/tools/waste-code-finder-australia?code=national-h100) | Biocide and crop-treatment chemical waste |
| [H110](https://complyonsite.com/tools/waste-code-finder-australia?code=national-h110) | Organic phosphorus compounds |
| [H170](https://complyonsite.com/tools/waste-code-finder-australia?code=national-h170) | Wood-preservative chemical waste |
| [J160](https://complyonsite.com/tools/waste-code-finder-australia?code=national-j160) | Tarry refining and treatment residue |
| [K100](https://complyonsite.com/tools/waste-code-finder-australia?code=national-k100) | Animal-processing effluent and residue |
| [K110](https://complyonsite.com/tools/waste-code-finder-australia?code=national-k110) | Grease-trap waste |
| [K140](https://complyonsite.com/tools/waste-code-finder-australia?code=national-k140) | Tannery waste from leather processing |

### Sources

- [Australian hazardous waste data and reporting standard, 2025 edition](https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/australian-hazardous-waste-data-reporting-standard-2025.pdf)
- [National Environment Protection (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories) Measure 1998, compilation F2012C00858](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2007B01119/latest)
- [Hazardous Waste in Australia, final report version 2](https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/hazardous-waste-australia.pdf)