Deadline set for Palmer's nickel refinery

Time is counting down for Clive Palmer to take charge of safety at his Townsville nickel refinery.

Mr Palmer has one week to take control otherwise the Queensland government will make him.

He regained control of the refinery in February under his new company Queensland Nickel Sales but it is yet to transfer the major hazard facility licence, which requires the operator to meet stringent safety conditions, from administrators FTI Consulting.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland announced on Thursday that QNS had until July 20 to voluntarily declare itself the operator or it would be given the status regardless.

WHSQ said QNS still had one outstanding statutory notice in addition to the major hazard licence.