Australia’s e-waste laws are designed to keep electrical and electronic products out of landfills and to guarantee that they are recycled safely. “E-waste” is defined broadly by regulators as any discarded electrical or electronic equipment. According to federal environmental authorities, e-waste is simply “waste electrical and electronic equipment.” On the other hand, Victoria’s regulations consider it anything that involves an electric current or battery, ranging from computers, phones, and TVs to kitchen appliances, lighting, and whitegoods. Most state rules ban e-waste from landfills; instead, Australians must use approved recycling channels. Overall, federal and state laws, along with industry recycling schemes, are aimed at handling e-waste legally in Australia.
What is E-Waste According to Australian Law?
Legally, e-waste is any unwanted electronic item. Under Australia’s Environmental Protection laws, it covers devices that use electricity or have batteries. While the Commonwealth government notes that e-waste includes “televisions, monitors, computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, printers, appliances, lighting equipment” and more. Even though there can be some differences, nearly all electronic waste laws regard most gadgets and household electrical items as e-waste when they reach end-of-life.
Australia also differentiates between hazardous vs non-hazardous e-waste. For regulatory purposes, e-waste can be controlled as hazardous if it contains toxic components like heavy metals or flame retardants.
In fact, the federal Hazardous Waste Act of 1989 and the international Basel Convention controls cover hazardous e-waste exports and imports. From this year, even non-hazardous e-waste exported overseas requires permits under Basel rules.
Also Read: How to Recycle E-Waste – Complete Guide
E-Waste Laws by Australian States and Territories
Australia does not have a single national landfill ban on e-waste, so rules can vary by state and territory. However, all jurisdictions recognise e-waste as a special waste stream and have regulations or programs for it. Key differences include:
Victoria
E-waste cannot go to a landfill. Since 2019, Victorian law has explicitly banned dumping e-waste in domestic bins or any landfill. The state’s Environment Protection Regulations list many electronic items as waste that must be managed safely, which pretty much means households and businesses must take old electronics to approved drop-offs or recyclers.
South Australia
All e-waste has been banned from landfills since 1 September 2013. This includes large and small appliances, TVs, computers, lighting, and many other electronic devices. The SA EPA warns that fines up to $30,000 apply for breaches of these bans. South Australians are required to recycle unwanted electronics through collection events, drop-off centres or by using services funded under the national recycling scheme.
Western Australia
Since 2024, WA has introduced a comprehensive e-waste-to-landfill ban. This meant households, businesses, and waste services cannot dispose of most e-waste in landfills. The WA Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Regulations (2024) set up the ban, with penalties for non-compliance. The state also funds grants for e-waste collection infrastructure to support the system.
New South Wales
Currently, there is no specific landfill ban on e-waste in NSW. Old electronics are not legally barred from the bin, though dumping e-waste is still illegal littering. However, NSW households and small businesses have free recycling options under federal product stewardship laws. NSW is also in the process of considering new legislation to ban e-waste from landfills and mandate recycling.
Queensland
Like NSW, Queensland does not yet ban e-waste disposal in ordinary trash. The state’s waste laws are being updated, but currently, most e-waste is legally allowed to go to landfills unless it is captured by specific schemes. Queensland does, however, participate in the national recycling scheme for TVs and computers, giving residents access to drop-offs.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT also does not have a standalone landfill ban for e-waste. The territory’s recycling facilities and drop-off events encourage e-waste collection. The ACT joined the National TV/Computer Recycling Scheme soon after its launch, so many Canberra residents already recycle old electronics.
Tasmania and Northern Territory
Neither Tasmania nor the NT has dedicated e-waste landfill bans at this time. They rely on general waste regulations and the national recycling programs. However, all states and territories prohibit illegal dumping of waste, so discarding e-waste improperly can incur penalties.
In summary, e-waste regulations in Australia depend on your location. Victoria and South Australia are strict, Western Australia has joined them recently, while other states are catching up. Regardless of where you live, the safest approach is to use e-waste recycling services rather than throwing electronics into regular garbage.
How to Recycle E-Waste the Right Way in Australia
To stay compliant, always recycle electronics through legal channels. Here are some ways for households and businesses to achieve that:
Use official collection programs
Many states have free drop-off points for e-waste. Under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS), households and small businesses can take old TVs, computers, printers, and related devices to designated collection sites for free. This scheme, which is a federal product stewardship law, ensures that about 98% of Australians have access to a drop-off service, whether at council waste transfer stations or special events. Other items like mobile phones have their own programs. In the case of phones, they can be dropped at free MobileMuster bins at retailers, and rechargeable batteries can be dropped in B-cycle bins at stores or recycling centres.
Find a licensed e-waste recycler
If you need a collection or service, especially for businesses or large quantities, choose a certified e-waste recycling company. Many states require e-waste recyclers to be licensed or comply with standards. A legitimate e-waste recycling company will properly dismantle electronics and recover materials, keeping hazardous parts contained. Using a registered recycler not only meets e-waste recycling laws in Australia, but it also protects your data and the environment.
Separate and pack safely
Especially for batteries and small devices, store them properly before recycling. Tape up lithium battery terminals and keep batteries out of heat, as they ignite if damaged. Many councils offer household battery bins. Batteries ending up at regular landfills or getting mixed with other waste can cause serious damage to the environment.
Keep records (for businesses)
If you run a business, you may need to demonstrate compliance. Obtain waste disposal receipts or certificates from recyclers. Some states, like NSW, under its Protection of Environment Operations Act, require businesses to keep data on waste movements. Using professional e-waste collectors helps with record-keeping and ensures your disposal is legally documented.
Reuse or donate first
As a precaution and best practice, see if items still work. Reusing electronics extends their life and avoids even generating e-waste. If something is still usable or repairable, think about selling or donating it. Australia’s e-waste recycling regulations usually encourage this approach to reducing e-waste in the first place.
By following these steps, individuals and companies ensure they recycle e-waste legally in Australia. Government websites also provide lists of local collection points that you can rely on.
Penalties for Violating E-Waste Laws in Australia
Ignoring e-waste laws can lead to hefty penalties. All Australian jurisdictions treat illegal dumping or disposal of e-waste as an offence. In Victoria alone, the EPA warns that throwing away waste improperly is against the law, and it can come with hefty fines or strict penalties.
Illegal dumping fines
Even small-scale dumping is penalized. In New South Wales, individuals can be hit with instant fines starting at $1,000 for littering or dumping waste, while businesses might face penalties beginning at $5,000, even for minor offences. The fines increase to $2,500/$10,000 if the wastes are dumped in sensitive places like near waterways. These rules apply to all waste, e-waste included, and the same Pollution Law (POEO Act 1997) can levy much higher fines if cases go to court.
Waste-to-landfill ban breaches
States that have banned e-waste have their own set of penalties. For instance, South Australia’s waste policy includes fines of up to $30,000 for breaking the e-waste landfill ban. Western Australia has also introduced new rules, with penalties in place for improper e-waste disposal.
Environmental Protection penalties
In South Australia, for example, individuals illegally disposing of any waste, including e-waste, may be fined up to $120,000 and face up to two years imprisonment, while corporations face fines up to $250,000. Causing serious harm to the environment can lead to much tougher penalties, consisting of up to $500,000 in fines and four years in prison for individuals, and as much as $2 million for businesses.
Licence revocation and remediation
Businesses and waste carriers have additional risks. Unlicensed transport or dumping of e-waste can lead to licence suspension and orders to clean up contamination, at great expense to the offender.
Conclusion
Australia’s e-waste laws are a mix of national schemes and state rules, but the bottom line is consistent: do not throw your old electronics in the garbage. Laws in Victoria, South Australia, and soon Western Australia explicitly ban e-waste in landfills, and other states are moving in the same direction. Consumers and businesses must take advantage of free recycling programs and use licensed e-waste recycling services.
Not only does this meet legal e-waste recycling requirements around Australia, but it also avoids steep fines and protects human health and the environment. In short, staying compliant means using legitimate e-waste channels, starting off with finding a local drop-off or e-waste recycling company, asking your council, and keeping records. By following these steps, everyone can help Australia manage electronic waste responsibly and safely.
At Cyber Recycling, we offer free pickups, handle secure data deletion with Certificates of Destruction, and make sure every piece of e-waste is either refurbished or properly recycled. As a trusted e-waste recycling company in Australia, Cyber Recycling helps you stay compliant with e-waste regulations, protect sensitive data, and support the shift toward a circular economy.
