Plastics bans guidance

Find out what types of plastic items are subject to the bans, determine whether a plastic item is single-use and learn about our approach to complying with the ban.

Banned items

From 1 June 2022

  • lightweight plastic bags with handles, other than a barrier bag, that are 35 microns or less in thickness at any part of the bag.

From 1 November 2022

  • single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery (including chopsticks and sporks), plates, bowls (excluding those with spill-proof lids) and cotton buds
  • expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service ware, including cups
  • certain rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads.

The bans include items made from biodegradable plastic, compostable plastic (including Australian certified compostable plastic) or bioplastics.

A guide for retailers, brands and manufacturers of integrated packaging of single-use plastic items about the upcoming ban from 1 January 2025.

Find out more about what is considered a plastic, what types of plastic items are subject to the bans, and how to determine whether a plastic item is single-use.

Find out how the plastics bans affect community and not-for-profit organisations.

Find out how the plastics bans affect schools and education providers.