Last updated: 9th July 2025
Plastic cutlery, plates and straws are among a list of single-use plastics to be phased out by 2025 under a plan to reduce plastic waste in our region. Australia produces 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste each year with 84% of it sent to landfills. It is reported that approximately 130,000 tonnes of plastic waste leak into the environment annually which is a huge concern for not only the Australian Marine Conservation Society but our planet and future generations as well.
Global companies are the biggest producers of plastic waste. In 2019, Australia produced nearly 59kg of single-use plastic waste per person, considered the highest per person plastic wastage data reported globally. Usage is at such a worrying high, and in 2018 the Australian Government established the 2025 National Packaging Targets with a goal that by 2025: 100% of packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable; 70% of plastic packaging will be recyclable or compostable, And 50% of all packaging materials will be recyclable.
In response to these goals, each state and territory has committed to the independent regulations we highlight below and we will continue to provide updates as new information is released.
View the current regulatory guidelines for
- Northern Territory
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Australian Capital Territory
- Queensland
- Victoria
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Bans commenced 1st January 2019 for:
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Disposable cups (hot and cold) and lids
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Plastic cutlery and stirrers
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Plastic plates and bowls
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Plastic takeaway containers
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Plastic straws
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Balloons
Applies to both vendors and individuals attending events or picnicking in council-managed spaces.
Proposed Territory-Wide Bans (expected by 2025 under the NT Circular Economy Strategy):
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plastic bags
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plastic straws
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plastic utensils and stirrers
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plastic bowls and plates
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expanded polystyrene (EPS) consumer food containers
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microbeads in personal health care products
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EPS consumer goods packaging (loose fill and moulded)
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helium balloons
VISIT THE WEBSITE: Northern Territory Plastic Ban
MORE INFORMATION: From our friends at Detpak
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Since March 2021
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Single-use plastic straws
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Plastic cutlery
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Plastic stirrers
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Expanded polystyrene cups, bowls, plates, and clamshell containers
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Oxo degradable plastic products were prohibited from production, manufacture and sale
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Plastic-stemmed cotton buds
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Single-use plastic bowls and plates
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Plastic pizza savers
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Plastic barrier bags
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Thick boutique/supermarket-style plastic bags
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Single-use plastic beverage containers (including coffee cups)
Upcoming: 1 September 2025
VIEW THE STATE ACT: Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 (SA).
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TASMANIA
The by-law commenced 1st July 2021 in Hobart only for:
Plastic straws
Plastic cutlery
Plastic plates and bowls
Plastic takeaway food container lids
Plastic stirrers
PE lined cups, noodle boxes, and food containers
Plastic-lined cups except for compostable products
Foam takeaway food and beverage containers
Plastic sandwich wedges
Sauce sachets
Single-use plastic bags ("checkout" style plastic bags) are banned in all Australian states and territories as of 1st June 2022
Existing stock cannot be used until exhausted. As of July 1st, no single-use products listed above can be distributed even if it is existing stock.
EXEMPTIONS: All of Tasmania, except for Hobart, are exempt from the by-law. Aged care and disability sectors in Hobart are also exempt from the by-law.
VISIT THE WEBSITE: City of Hobart’s Single-use plastics by-law information
DOWNLOAD THE INFORMATION SHEET: Single-use plastic by-law
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Australian Capital Territory
The ACT Plastic Reduction Act 2021 commenced 1st July 2021 for:
Banned Items:
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Single-use plastic cutlery
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Plastic beverage stirrers
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EPS food and drink containers
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Non-compostable degradable plastic bags
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Boutique/laminated plastic shopping bags
From 1 July 2023:
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Single-use plastic plates and bowls
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EPS loose-fill packaging and trays
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Plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care/cleaning products
From 1 January 2024:
Exemptions:
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Spill proof bowls
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Scientific, medical & forensic uses
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Integrated packaging items
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Medical & disability straws
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Detainee & mental health cutlery
Plastic bags at or below 35 micrometres have been banned since 2011. This includes plastic bags marked as recyclable or reusable. Heavyweight shopping bags are being considered for future phase-out. Single-use plastic bags ("checkout" style plastic bags) are banned in all Australian states and territories as of 1st June 2022.
VISIT THE ACT WEBSITE: Single-use plastics
READ THE MEDIA RELEASE: Single-use plastic ban from 1 July 2021. (ACT Government, 02 Dec 2020)
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QUEENSLAND
The Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Act 2021 took effect on 31 August 2021.
Banned Items:
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Single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, and bowls
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EPS takeaway containers and cups
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Cotton buds with plastic stems
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EPS loose-fill packaging (peanuts)
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Plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care or cleaning products
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Outdoor release of lighter than air balloons (e.g. Helium). Shopping bags need to meet material and reusability requirements.
Exemptions (use permitted in)
VISIT THE WEBSITE: Queensland Single Use Plastic Ban
VIEW THE ACT: Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Act 2021 (Qld).
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VICTORIA
Bans commence February 1st, 2022 in Government Department buildings and on February 1st, 2023 it extends state-wide for:
Exemptions:
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Applies only to general use
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Exempt for medical, scientific, emergency services, and accessibility needs
By 2030 a 4-bin waste and recycling system will be standard for households across the state; And by 2022-23, a container deposit scheme will be implemented for the exchange of cans and bottles for cash.
Single-use plastic bags ("checkout" style plastic bags) are banned in all Australian states and territories as of 1st June 2022.
VISIT THE WEBSITE: Victoria Government Transforming Recycling In Victoria.
DOWNLOAD: Recycling Victoria Policy document
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA
From 1st January 2022, Western Australia commences bans for select single-use products under the Environmental Protection Regulations Amendment (Prohibited Plastics and Balloons) 2021.
Retailers cannot purchase products outlined below from the 1st of January however they have a 6-month grace period to diminish existing stock and penalties will be enforced from 1st July 2022 with the exception of cups as outlined below. WA is implementing its Plan for Plastics in two stages:
Stage 1 (from 31 December 2021):Ban on plastic plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, stirrers, straws
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Thick bags
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EPS food containers
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Helium balloon releases
Stage 2 (phased through to 1 July 2025):
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Loose and moulded EPS packaging
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Degradable plastics
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Produce bags
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EPS cups and meat/seafood trays
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Coffee cups and lids
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Lids for bowls, trays, and takeaway containers
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Food trays (not covered in Stage 1)
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Cotton buds with plastic stems
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Microbeads
EXEMPTIONS: The Government of Western Australia is in consultation with disability, health and aged-care sectors to better understand their needs regarding exemptions.
VISIT THE WEBSITE: Western Australia's Plan for Plastics
DOWNLOAD: WA's Single-use plastic ban: FAQs
READ THE MEDIA RELEASE: Western Australia's plan to ban single-use plastics fast-tracked. (Hon Mark McGowan BA LLB MLA, 13 June 2021)
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NEW SOUTH WALES
Bans will commence on 1st December 2021 for lightweight plastic shopping bags.
From 1 June 2022:
- Ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags (≤35 microns)
From 1 November 2022:
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Ban on single-use straws, stirrers, cutlery (incl. chopsticks/sporks), plates, bowls (unless spill-proof), and cotton buds
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EPS food service items (incl. cups, plates, bowls, trays etc.)
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Rinse-off personal care products with microbeads
From 1 January 2025:
EXEMPTIONS: Details pending
VIEW THE ACT OR MEDIA RELEASE: Pending
VISIT THE WEBSITE: NSW Plastics Plan Discussion Paper
DOWNLOAD: NSW Plastics Plan Paper "Cleaning Up Our Act: Redirecting the future of plastic"
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