Deposit return schemes and plastic bags in Northern Territory (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: The Northern Territory has a container deposit scheme with a refund of $0.10 per permitted container. Retailers may not supply carry bags with handles made of polyethylene less than 35 microns thick, whether or not a fee is charged.

RuleWhat applies
National deposit return scheme in operationDeposit on drinks containersYes [1]
Containers coveredDeposit on drinks containersContainers holding up to 3 L of beverage that bear the approved refund marking, Not covered: containers for more than 3 L; concentrated juice to be diluted, health tonics and cordial are not beverages [1]
Deposit per containerDeposit on drinks containers0.10 AUD per container [1]
Plastic carrier bag rulePlastic carrier bagsBanned [2]
Price of plastic carrier bagsPlastic carrier bagsA retailer must not make a prohibited plastic bag available to a customer for carrying goods, whether or not the customer is charged a fee for it. The maximum penalty is 50 penalty units. [2]
Bag thickness rulePlastic carrier bagsA prohibited plastic bag is a carry bag with handles whose body is wholly or partly polyethylene less than 35 microns thick, or a bag of a kind prescribed by regulation. Biodegradable bags and bags forming an integral part of sealed packaging are not prohibited. [2]

Notes

  • Other exemptions can be made by regulation. Only regulations 2E and 2F were found.

Sources

  1. Northern Territory Government (Legislation NT): Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Regulations 2011 (NT), as in force at 1 July 2026 (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Northern Territory Government (Legislation NT): Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Act 2011 (NT), as in force at 1 July 2026 (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Northern Territory

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Hire e-scooters only (Beam) · Minimum age: 18 (hire e-scooters)
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; up to 50 g may get an infringement notice · Growing at home: Banned; up to 2 plants may get a notice
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 60 km/h (many towns 50 km/h or less) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 110 km/h
  • Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 years 6 months (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prohibited drug in body is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC detected
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes, on 1 July (Territory Day) only · Minimum age to buy: 18+
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, for up to 3 months · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Transfer within 3 months of living in the NT
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Approval needed · Nature of the parental duty: School or approval
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without lawful excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick, butterfly and sheath-concealed knives prohibited
  • MopedsMinimum age to ride: From 16 · Licence: Class R (VM: moped only)
  • Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
  • Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
  • Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hand-held banned; L/P: any phone
  • Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
  • Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, all homes
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
  • Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
  • Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% (low range) · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.