Omari Gates
Australia has been making moves to ban plastic bags since 2003, when Coles Bay became the first Australian town to completely ban non-biodegradable plastic bags. Since then, all states and territories have introduced or plan to introduce bans on many single-use plastics. South Australia was the first state to ban plastic bags at the checkout in 2009, with retailers facing fines of up to $5,000 for distributing banned bags. Since then, Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, New South Wales, and Victoria have all implemented or pledged to implement similar bans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| States with plastic bag bans | South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Northern Territory (NT), Tasmania, New South Wales (NSW) |
| First state to ban plastic bags | South Australia (2009) |
| States with single-use plastic bans | South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, ACT, NSW |
| States with upcoming plastic bag bans | Tasmania, NT |
| States with upcoming single-use plastic bans | Victoria, Tasmania |
| States with voluntary plastic bag bans | Coles Bay |
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What You'll Learn
Queensland's plastic bag ban
The ban covers lightweight plastic shopping bags with a thickness of 35 microns or less, including degradable, biodegradable, and compostable bags. From 1 September 2023, plastic shopping bags in Queensland must meet two additional requirements: they must be made from a minimum of 80% recycled content and be durable enough to carry 10 kilograms for at least 125 uses.
Queensland joined other Australian states and territories in banning single-use plastics, with South Australia leading the way in 2009 by prohibiting lightweight plastic bags. As of 2024, all Australian states and territories have committed to banning certain single-use plastics, with each jurisdiction targeting different items. These efforts reflect a growing awareness of the environmental impact of plastic waste and a desire to promote sustainable practices.
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Western Australia's plastic bag ban
Australia has been taking steps towards banning plastic bags since 2003, when Coles Bay became the first Australian town to completely ban non-biodegradable plastic bags. In 2017, a petition was launched for the premiers of the three states without plastic bag bans – Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia – to "ban the bag".
In September 2017, the Western Australian Government announced it would commence a statewide plastic bag ban on 1 July 2018. As of 1 July 2022, all plastic shopping bags with handles are banned in Western Australia, regardless of thickness. This means that any type of plastic bag is now banned in Western Australia.
The Western Australian Government’s first ban on single-use plastic items commenced in 2022, banning single-use plastic cotton bud sticks, cutlery, drink stirrers, produce bags, straws, non-compostable cups, expanded polystyrene food and drink containers, microbeads in rinse-off personal care products, and balloon releases.
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South Australia's plastic bag ban
South Australia was the first state in the country to ban plastic bags at the checkout, with an official start date of 4 May 2009. The Plastic Shopping Bags (Waste Avoidance) Bill passed the Parliament of South Australia on 13 November 2008, with a transitional period from 1 January to 4 May 2009. The ban targeted lightweight plastic bags less than 35 microns thick, with retailers facing fines of up to $5,000 for distributing banned bags and retailer suppliers fined up to $20,000. Biodegradable bags were exempt from this ban.
South Australia's leadership in waste management and green innovation has been demonstrated through this initiative, positioning the state at the forefront of the circular economy. The state's policy on minimising waste and its management of landfill sites have been pivotal in achieving its recycling and resource recovery targets. South Australians divert about 57% of household waste, 88% of commercial and industrial waste, and 91% of construction and demolition waste.
In March 2021, South Australia expanded its single-use plastics ban to include plastic straws, drink stirrers, cutlery, bread tags, non-compostable plastic cups, confetti cotton bud sticks, produce bags, pizza savers, plates, bowls, expanded polystyrene food and drink containers, and heavyweight carry bags. The state also prohibited the sale, supply, or distribution of expanded polystyrene cups, bowls, plates, and clamshell containers.
From 1 September 2024, South Australia will ban all plastic shopping bags except those certified as compostable. Some time-limited exemptions will apply for charity organisations.
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Victoria's plastic bag ban
In November 2019, Victoria introduced a ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags, defined as those with a thickness of 35 microns or less. This included degradable, biodegradable, and compostable bags. Retailers are prohibited from supplying these bags to customers and must not provide misleading information about the bags' thickness or composition. The ban was well-received by the public, with 96% of over 8,000 submissions supporting it.
The second stage of Victoria's plastic bag ban took effect on February 1, 2023, banning single-use plastic straws, plates, cutlery, drink stirrers, cotton bud sticks, and expanded polystyrene food and drink containers. This ban includes conventional, degradable, and compostable versions of these items. Exemptions are made for individuals who require plastic straws due to a disability or medical need.
Businesses and organisations in Victoria are responsible for complying with the Regulations and ensuring they do not sell or supply banned single-use plastic items. This includes not-for-profits, government bodies, sports clubs, and schools. Penalties for non-compliance with the ban can reach over $11,800 for individuals and $59,000 for corporations.
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New South Wales' plastic bag ban
New South Wales (NSW) was the last state in Australia to ban single-use plastic bags. The NSW Government introduced a ban on all lightweight plastic shopping bags with a thickness of 35 microns or less, including degradable, biodegradable, and compostable bags. The ban came into effect on 1 June 2022, with the legislation passing in November 2021.
Prior to the ban, in 2017, Premier Gladys Berejiklian stated that no regulation was required as retailers responsible for 80% of plastic bags in the state, including Coles, Woolworths, and Harris Farm, had voluntarily stopped providing free plastic bags. However, in 2019, the Berejiklian Government blocked a Labor Party bill that would have banned plastic bags, arguing for the release of their discussion paper first.
The discussion paper, released in March 2020, included a proposed plastic bag ban, which was expected to come into effect in 2021 following community consultation. This was met with criticism from NSW Labor's environment spokeswoman, Kate Washington, who accused the government of stalling and wasting time in addressing plastic pollution.
Following the introduction of the ban in 2022, NSW joined other Australian states and territories in their efforts to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
South Australia was the first state to ban plastic bags in 2009.
As of 2022, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, and New South Wales have banned plastic bags. Victoria is also expected to implement a ban.
Tasmania has proposed banning single-use plastic items, but the ban is subject to public consultation.
Most states ban lightweight plastic bags, including compostable bioplastic bags. However, some states like South Australia and the Northern Territory exempt biodegradable bags.
The first ban on plastic bags in Australia was implemented in South Australia in 2009. Other states followed suit in subsequent years, with the most recent ban coming into effect in New South Wales in 2022.
