Litter and the law
Littering offences were incorporated into the Environment Protection Act 1970 when the Litter Act 1987 was repealed in June 2002. This places litter in the State's premier piece of environmental legislation, correctly positioning it as a major environmental issue. Read the Act.
The 2002 amendments generally doubled fines, included some new offences for bill posting and the delivery of unsolicited mail into letterboxes with 'no junk mail' stickers, and increased the evidence-gathering powers of councils.
Victorian State Government fines are indexed annually by an amount fixed by the Treasurer under the Monetary Units Act 2004. Fines increased by 2.25 per cent on 1 July 2005.
On the spot litter fines of $150 can also be issued by authorised public transport officers under the Transport (Public Transport Corporation) Regulations 1994.
Fines for offences on or after 1 July 2006
| Offence | On the spot | In court |
|---|---|---|
| Placing advertising material on vehicles | $215 | $1074 |
| Having an unsecured load | $215 | $1074 |
| Depositing burning litter | $215 | $4297 |
| Depositing household or business rubbish in a litter bin | $215 | $4297 |
| General littering on or into land or water | $215 | $4297 |
| Depositing a small item of litter | $107 | $4297 |
| Throwing litter from vehicles | $215 | $4297 |
| Aggravated littering | --- | $6446 |
| Offence | On the spot | In court |
|---|---|---|
| Placing advertising material on vehicles | $205 | $1023 |
| Having an unsecured load | $205 | $1023 |
| Depositing burning litter | $205 | $4090 |
| Depositing household or business rubbish in a litter bin | $205 | $4090 |
| General littering on or into land or water | $205 | $4090 |
| Depositing a small item of litter | $102 | $4090 |
| Throwing litter from vehicles | $205 | $4090 |
| Aggravated littering | --- | $6135 |
Table courtesy of EPA Victoria
EPA Victoria's Litter Report Line
Victoria's public litter reporting system is unique to Australia, and allows members of the public to report people littering from motor vehicles. Make reports to EPA by ringing the toll free line on 1 800 35 25 55 or you can download forms, or report on line, at EPA's website
Unsolicited Advertising Material Hotline
It is an offence to put unsolicited advertising material into letter boxes with 'no junk mail' signs. Report offences to the Distribution Standards Board on 1800 676 136, the industry body for letterbox direct advertising.
Abandoned Shopping Trolley Hotline
Call 1800 245 022 to report abandoned shopping trolleys so they will be collected.
