Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Bans Across Australia

Updated in November 2025

The States and Territories are establishing Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Bans which anyone selling in that market have to follow. You can find an updated  summary for all SUP bans at the National Retail Association website.

Western Australia 

From 1 July 2025, Western Australia will implement a ban on moulded or cut packaging made from expanded plastics, including expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polyethylene (EPE), expanded polypropylene (EPP), and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). This measure forms part of the state’s continued rollout of single-use plastic (SUP) bans aimed at reducing problematic and non-recyclable materials.

The ban applies to all moulded or cut expanded plastic packaging used for protection, cushioning, or insulation. Only products with a manufacturing date of 1 March 2025 or later will need to comply with the ban.

The restrictions do not apply to:

-       Flexible plastic wraps and sleeves made from expanded plastic

-       Packaging for products weighing more than 45 kg (excluding the packaging itself)

-       Packaging for products identified by the manufacturer as fragile, where protective packaging is required to comply with an applicable standard

These changes are designed to encourage the use of recyclable or compostable alternatives such as fibre-based moulded packaging and other circular materials. Full details and exemptions can be found on the Western Australian Government’s Plan for Plastics website.

South Australia 

South Australia continues to lead the country in phasing out single-use plastics under the Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020. Building on earlier bans introduced in 2021 and 2022, the state has progressively expanded restrictions to target a broader range of problematic plastic items.

From 1 September 2024, the following items were banned from sale, supply, or distribution across South Australia:

-       Plastic shopping bags with handles

-       Non-compostable plastic produce bags for unpackaged fruit, vegetables, nuts, and confectionery

-       Plastic bread tags and similar food bag tags

-       Non-compostable single-use plastic beverage cups and their lids or seals

-       Single-use plastic beverage plugs or stoppers

-       Non-compostable single-use plastic food containers and their lids, seals, or windows for ‘ready-to-eat’ food

-       Expanded polystyrene (EPS) trays and containers

-       Plastic confetti

-       Plastic balloon sticks and ties

-       Non-compostable single-use plastic bowls

The 2024 update also banned mixed packaging, such as compostable bases with conventional plastic lids, commonly used in takeaway food packaging.

From 1 September 2025, additional bans will take effect, extending to:

-       Small plastic soy-sauce or condiment containers (including “fish-shaped” bottles)

-       EPS cups and bowls, including those pre-packaged with food or beverages

-       Plastic straws and cutlery attached to or included with food and beverage products

These measures aim to reduce plastic pollution, promote reusable and compostable alternatives, and align with Australia’s National Packaging Targets and the National Plastics Plan. Businesses are encouraged to transition to certified compostable or recyclable packaging solutions consistent with Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) guidelines.

For detailed information and compliance guidance, visit the South Australian Government’s Replace the Waste website.

New South Wales

New South Wales (NSW) introduced its single-use plastics (SUP) legislation under the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021, as part of the state’s long-term plan to reduce plastic waste and transition towards circular packaging systems. The policy follows a two-phase rollout targeting the most littered and problematic plastic items, including bioplastics and compostable plastics.

The first phase came into effect on 1 June 2022, banning lightweight plastic shopping bags (35 microns or less) across all retailers. The second phase, implemented on 1 November 2022, extended the ban to plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates and bowls (without lids), expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service items, plastic cotton-bud sticks, and rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads. The legislation applies to all businesses and organisations supplying these items, regardless of whether they are made from conventional, degradable, or compostable plastics.

Looking ahead, the NSW Government has committed to further phase-outs under the Plastics Action Plan 2.0 (2025–2030), which proposes bans on additional problematic items such as plastic bread tags, pizza box savers, non-compostable fruit and vegetable stickers, and mandates for reusable cup systems, tethered lids, and design-for-recyclability requirements for takeaway containers.

Phased Implementation of Single-Use Plastic Bans in NSW

Effective Date	Items Banned / Proposed	Notes / Scope
1 June 2022	Lightweight plastic shopping bags (≤ 35 μm)	Applies to all retailers; reusable and paper alternatives permitted.
1 November 2022	Plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls (no lids), EPS food containers, plastic cotton-bud sticks, microbeads in rinse-off products	Includes compostable and bioplastic variants. Exemptions for disability and medical needs.
2025–2030 (proposed)	Bread tags, pizza savers, fruit/vegetable stickers (non-compostable), single-use packaging accessories, tethered lids, reusable cup and recyclability requirements	Under Plastics Action Plan 2.0 – expanding circular economy targets.

NSW’s framework is among the most ambitious in Australia, addressing not just material substitution but also system redesign. By targeting both conventional and compostable plastics, the legislation encourages reuse, material innovation, and design for circularity. It sets clear expectations for businesses and packaging suppliers to verify product compliance, prepare for upcoming mandates, and invest in truly sustainable alternatives.

Together, these measures form part of the state’s broader strategy to eliminate avoidable plastic waste, promote reusable systems, and align with Australia’s National Plastics Plan and National Packaging Targets.

Victoria

Victoria introduced a comprehensive ban on single-use plastics on 1 February 2023, under the Environment Protection Act 2017. The legislation targets a range of problematic items commonly found in litter, landfill and marine debris, and applies to all businesses, organisations, and event organisers across the state.

The ban prohibits the sale or supply of single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, cotton-bud sticks, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) food and drink containers. Importantly, the restrictions apply not only to conventional plastics but also to degradable, compostable, or bioplastic alternatives, ensuring that misleading “green” plastic claims do not undermine the policy’s environmental objectives.

Exemptions are limited and carefully defined. Plastic straws are permitted only for people with disability or medical needs, and pre-packaged food or beverage items with integrated plastic components (for example, a spoon attached to a yoghurt tub) remain exempt until 1 January 2026. The ban is enforced by the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA), with penalties applying for non-compliance.

Banned Single-Use Plastic Items in Victoria

Effective Date	Items Banned	Notes / Scope
1 Feb 2023	Plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, cotton-bud sticks, EPS food and drink containers	Applies to all businesses and organisations; includes items made from conventional, degradable, or compostable plastics.
Until 1 Jan 2026(exemption)	Integrated utensils or straws attached to pre-packaged products	Temporary exemption for pre-attached items (e.g. yoghurt spoons).
Ongoing	Plastic straws for people with disability or medical needs	Permitted on request only.

Victoria’s framework reflects one of the most comprehensive and strict SUP bans in Australia, addressing misleading bioplastics and setting clear expectations for circular packaging solutions. For packaging producers and retailers, this reinforces the importance of reusable and fibre-based alternatives, third-party verified compostability, and end-of-life design aligned with circular economy principles.

For the latest updates and compliance guidance, visit the Victorian Government’s Single-Use Plastics website.

Queensland

Queensland has progressively introduced one of Australia’s most comprehensive single-use plastics (SUP) bans under the Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Act 2021. The initiative forms part of the state’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan and aims to eliminate problematic plastics, promote reuse, and support the transition to a circular economy.

The first stage, introduced on 1 July 2018, banned lightweight plastic shopping bags (under 35 microns, including biodegradable and compostable types). On 1 September 2021, the scope expanded to include single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, unenclosed bowls and plates, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) takeaway food containers and cups.

From 1 September 2023, the ban was extended again to include cotton buds with plastic stems, EPS loose-fill packaging, plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care and cleaning products, and shopping bags that do not meet new durability and recycled-content standards. The release of lighter-than-air balloons, such as helium balloons, has also been prohibited.

Phased Implementation of Single-Use Plastic Bans in Queensland

Effective Date	Items Banned	Notes / Scope
1 July 2018	Lightweight plastic shopping bags (< 35 μm, including compostable/biodegradable)	Applies to all retailers and suppliers.
1 September 2021	Plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, unenclosed bowls and plates, EPS takeaway containers and cups	Ban includes all plastic and bioplastic types; exemptions for medical and disability needs.
1 September 2023	Cotton buds with plastic stems, EPS loose-fill packaging, microbeads in rinse-off products, non-compliant plastic bags, balloon releases	Introduced higher bag durability standards and extended the scope of restricted items.

Queensland’s policy stands out for its phased, whole-of-supply-chain approach, targeting production, supply and use simultaneously. It has also tightened definitions to close loopholes around degradable or compostable plastics, ensuring material claims are backed by proper certification. For packaging suppliers, retailers, and food-service businesses, this means shifting towards reusable, fibre-based, or certified circular packaging alternatives, aligning with broader Australian targets for waste reduction and packaging circularity. Visit the website for more information about QLD SUP Bans.

Australian capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has been one of the leading jurisdictions in Australia to implement comprehensive bans on problematic single-use plastics. Introduced through the Plastic Reduction Act 2021, the policy forms part of the ACT Government’s broader Everyday Climate Choices program, aiming to reduce plastic pollution, encourage reuse, and support a circular economy.

The bans have been implemented progressively in several stages, allowing businesses and consumers to adapt to the regulatory changes. The first stage, introduced on 1 July 2021, prohibited the sale and distribution of single-use plastic cutlery, drink stirrers, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) takeaway food and beverage containers. This was followed by the second stage in July 2022, which expanded the restrictions to include plastic straws, cotton buds with plastic stems, and oxo-degradable plastics—materials that fragment into microplastics rather than genuinely biodegrading.

Further extensions to the legislation took effect in 2023 and 2024, targeting plastic plates and bowls without spill-proof lids, EPS trays and loose-fill packaging (“packing peanuts”), and a range of plastic shopping bags, including laminated paper or cardboard bags and lightweight non-woven polypropylene bags. Together, these bans move beyond conventional plastics to address misleading substitutes such as so-called “bioplastics” or “degradable” materials, which often persist in the environment or contaminate recycling streams.

The ACT’s approach is notable for its problem-based focus rather than a narrow material definition. Instead of banning all plastics outright, the legislation identifies items that are unnecessary, difficult to recover, or prone to littering. The result is a targeted policy that both reduces environmental harm and supports the transition to more sustainable packaging systems.

From a compliance perspective, businesses are prohibited from supplying, selling, or distributing any of the banned items, regardless of whether they are imported or locally produced. Retailers, food outlets, and event organisers must therefore shift towards reusable, fibre-based, or certified compostable alternatives that comply with Australian Standards (AS 4736 for industrial compostability or AS 5810 for home compostability).

For packaging producers and brand owners, these bans signal a decisive shift away from single-use convenience and towards design for circularity. They also illustrate how subnational governments within Australia are using regulatory levers to drive material innovation and behaviour change. The ACT’s framework is likely to influence other states and territories as they update their own plastics policies in alignment with national waste reduction goals and the forthcoming federal Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.

In essence, the ACT’s single-use plastic bans demonstrate how local regulation can accelerate systemic change. By eliminating problematic items, setting clear boundaries for materials like bioplastics, and fostering industry adaptation, the ACT has positioned itself as a model for evidence-based policy design in the transition towards a low-waste, circular economy.

Phased Implementation of Single-Use Plastic Bans in the ACT

Phase / Effective Date	Items Banned	Key Notes and Scope
Stage 1 – 1 July 2021	Plastic cutlery, plastic stirrers, expanded polystyrene (EPS) food and beverage containers	First phase of the ban targeting high-litter and low-value plastics. Includes all plastic and bioplastic variants of cutlery.
Stage 2 – 1 July 2022	Plastic straws, cotton buds with plastic stems, oxo-degradable plastics	Expanded to cover microplastic-generating materials and hygiene items; exemptions allowed for disability and medical needs (plastic straws).
Stage 3 – 1 July 2023	Plastic plates and bowls (without spill-proof lids), expanded polystyrene trays and loose-fill packaging (“packing peanuts”)	Focused on takeaway and food-service items; compostable or fibre-based alternatives permitted if compliant with AS standards.
Stage 4 – 1 January 2024	Plastic shopping bags with handles, laminated paper/cardboard bags, non-woven polypropylene bags under 90 gsm	Extended to retail and supermarket sectors; reinforced “reuse before recycle” principle.
Ongoing and Future Reviews	Assessment of additional problem plastics such as plastic coffee cup lids, sachets, and wet wipes	The ACT Government continues to consult with industry and community groups for further inclusions under future amendments.

Source: ACT Government – Everyday Climate Choices: Single-Use Plastics Policy (updated 2024) https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/recycling-and-waste/single-use-plastics

Tasmania

Tasmania has taken a combined state and municipal approach to restricting single-use plastics, aiming to reduce plastic waste and support the transition to circular packaging systems.

At the state level, the Plastic Shopping Bags Ban Act 2013 has prohibited the supply of lightweight plastic shopping bags (under 35 microns) since November 2013. The ban excludes compostable bags certified under Australian standards and barrier bags for produce. The Tasmanian Government is now consulting on expanding this legislation to cover a wider range of “problematic” single-use plastics.

At the municipal level, the City of Hobart became the first local council in Australia to implement a comprehensive Single-Use Plastics By-Law, effective from 1 July 2021. It applies to takeaway food and beverage businesses, prohibiting a broad range of disposable plastic items such as:

• plastic cups and lids

• takeaway containers and plastic-lined noodle boxes

• straws, stirrers and cutlery

• plastic sandwich wedges and condiment sachets

Compostable alternatives certified under AS 4736 or AS 5810 are permitted, and pre-packaged sealed products are exempt.

Single-Use Plastics Restrictions in Tasmania

Effective Date	Regulation / Jurisdiction	Items Banned	Notes
Nov 2013	Statewide (Plastic Shopping Bags Ban Act 2013)	Lightweight plastic shopping bags (< 35 µm)	Excludes compostable and barrier bags.
1 July 2021	City of Hobart By-Law	Plastic cups, lids, containers, cutlery, straws, stirrers, condiment sachets, plastic-lined boxes	Applies to takeaway food and beverage businesses; certified compostable alternatives allowed.

The Tasmanian model illustrates how local councils can lead national change, complementing state policies and encouraging early adoption of reusable and compostable packaging. A broader state-wide phase-out of single-use plastics is expected to follow in coming years. Learn more at the City of Hobart website.

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory (NT) was one of the first Australian jurisdictions to act on single-use plastics, introducing a ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags in September 2011 under the Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Act 2011. The ban prohibits retailers from supplying thin, single-use plastic “checkout” bags, while allowing reusable, compostable, paper, and barrier bags for produce.

Building on this, the NT Government released its Circular Economy Strategy 2022–2027, proposing a broader phase-out of problematic single-use plastics by 2025. Items under consultation include plastic straws, cutlery, plates, bowls, stirrers, takeaway containers, expanded polystyrene (EPS) food packaging, microbeads, and the release of helium balloons.

At the local level, the City of Darwin has gone further, banning many disposable plastics—including cups, lids, cutlery, containers, and balloon releases—at council-managed events and venues since 1 January 2019.

Plastic Regulations and Proposed Bans in the NT

Effective Date	Jurisdiction	Items Banned / Proposed	Notes
1 Sept 2011	NT-wide	Lightweight plastic shopping bags	Reusable, compostable, and paper bags allowed.
1 Jan 2019	City of Darwin	Cups, lids, cutlery, containers, balloon releases	Applies to council land and events.
By 2025 (proposed)	NT-wide	Straws, cutlery, plates, bowls, takeaway containers, EPS, microbeads, helium balloons	Part of Circular Economy Strategy 2022–2027.

The NT’s framework shows a gradual but expanding approach—starting with plastic bags and now moving toward comprehensive single-use plastic restrictions, aligning with national trends toward circular packaging systems. Learn more at the NT Government website.

Conclusion

Across Australia, every state and territory has taken significant steps to phase out single-use plastics (SUP), with bans now covering items such as lightweight shopping bags, straws, cutlery, stirrers, plates, bowls, and expanded polystyrene food containers. Although each jurisdiction follows its own timeline and scope, the overall direction is consistent — to eliminate problematic plastics, promote reuse, and transition towards truly circular packaging systems.

These reforms are driving strong demand for reusable, compostable, or recyclable alternatives, aligning with Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets. However, differences between state regulations continue to create challenges for national brands and suppliers seeking consistent compliance.

For those working in packaging, retail, or sustainability, keeping up with this evolving landscape is essential. The National Retail Association’s “Action on Single-Use Plastics” page remains one of the most reliable, regularly updated sources summarising bans and upcoming changes across all jurisdictions.

And if you’d like to receive curated updates, insights, and global comparisons on packaging regulations directly in your inbox, you can subscribe to Unpacked by Renata, where I share monthly the latest developments on sustainable packaging, circular design, and compliance trends.