No, open burning is generally prohibited nationwide under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and state-based clean air laws, with exceptions for agricultural burns under strict permitting. Local councils and state EPA agencies enforce these rules, often aligning with the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure. Non-compliance risks fines up to $220,000 under the Environment Protection Act 2017 (Vic), while Queensland’s Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 mandates prior approval for all burns. Recent 2026 policy shifts prioritize smoke reduction in bushfire-prone regions.
Key Regulations for Open Burning in Australia
- State-based permits: All jurisdictions require approval from environmental protection authorities (e.g., NSW EPA’s Clean Air Regulation 2022) before conducting burns, with penalties for unapproved fires.
- Seasonal restrictions: Victoria enforces a “Fire Danger Period” (1 Nov–30 Apr) banning open burning in high-risk zones, enforced by the CFA and local councils.
- Smoke management: Queensland’s Environmental Protection Act 1994 prohibits burns emitting visible smoke within 200m of residential areas, with real-time monitoring via the Air Quality Monitoring Network.