Deposit return schemes and plastic bags in Australia (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: No national value is shown for Australia. Container deposit schemes and plastic carrier bag rules were not verified.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National deposit return scheme in operationDeposit on drinks containers | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Containers coveredDeposit on drinks containers | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Deposit per containerDeposit on drinks containers | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Plastic carrier bag rulePlastic carrier bags | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Price of plastic carrier bagsPlastic carrier bags | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Bag thickness rulePlastic carrier bags | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- These rules are understood to be set by each state and territory, and vary, so a single national value is not given. Official state and territory sources were not readable from the research environment.
Related pages
Australia: rules by state or province
| Country | National deposit return scheme in operation | Deposit per container | Plastic carrier bag rule | Price of plastic carrier bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Deposit on drinks containers: Yes, Return and Earn | Deposit on drinks containers: 10c refund | Plastic carrier bags: Lightweight bags banned | Plastic carrier bags: Banned since 1 June 2022 |
| Victoria | Deposit on drinks containers: Yes, CDS Vic | Deposit on drinks containers: 10c refund | Plastic carrier bags: Lightweight bags banned | Plastic carrier bags: No supply by retailers |
| Queensland | Deposit on drinks containers: Yes, container refund scheme | Deposit on drinks containers: 10c refund | Plastic carrier bags: Single-use bags banned | Plastic carrier bags: Only permitted bags |
| Western Australia | Deposit on drinks containers: Yes, Containers for Change | Deposit on drinks containers: 10c refund | Plastic carrier bags: Soft plastic bags banned | Plastic carrier bags: No sale or supply |
| South Australia | Deposit on drinks containers: Yes, since 1977 | Deposit on drinks containers: 10c refund | Plastic carrier bags: Plastic shopping bags banned | Plastic carrier bags: Banned; no charge regime |
| Tasmania | Deposit on drinks containers: Yes, since 1 May 2025 | Deposit on drinks containers: 10c refund | Plastic carrier bags: Lightweight bags banned | Plastic carrier bags: Banned bags not supplied |
| Australian Capital Territory | Deposit on drinks containers: Yes, container deposit scheme | Deposit on drinks containers: 10c refund | Plastic carrier bags: Single-use bags banned | Plastic carrier bags: No supply |
| Northern Territory | Deposit on drinks containers: Yes, container deposit scheme | Deposit on drinks containers: 10c refund | Plastic carrier bags: Lightweight bags banned | Plastic carrier bags: No supply, charged or not |
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.