Illegal waste dumping — the disposal of waste on private or public land without a permit, license, or approval — is an issue that affects everybody. In many cases, illegal waste presents a risk to human health, but even when the risk to health is minimal, illegal disposal of waste damages the environment and destroys valuable green space.

Illegal dumping is a serious offence, regardless of whether the dumper is an individual or a company. Penalties can range into the millions and in serious cases include prison time.

What Is the Problem?

Illegal dumping presents a problem for everybody. In addition to being unsightly and ruining public and private spaces, it can present a significant risk to public health and wellbeing. Toxins in the waste can give off dangerous fumes and/or seep contaminants into the groundwater causing long-term damage that can cost thousands of dollars to clean.

Individuals and companies operating without a valid permit or license may not be ensuring the waste is safe for disposal or contained. By operating illegally without a permit, illegal dumpers jeopardise and undermine the legitimate waste disposal businesses who act safely and responsibly.

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Who is Responsible?

In most cases of illegal waste disposal on public or private land the state’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) takes responsibility for the incident recording, enforcement, and clean-up. Dedicated teams are responsible for issuing and verifying licenses and permits.

When a case of illegal dumping is discovered, the EPA’s team will investigate the issue using a variety of tools and techniques available to them to identify the source of the waste and those responsible.
Small scale dumping, such as littering, dumping from car boots, or disposal of household waste are generally handled by the local council.

What Can Be Done?

Illegal waste dumping, especially of hazardous substances, is a serious offence with severe and strict penalties. Penalties can range into the millions of dollars for companies found to be guilty, and individuals can face years imprisonment.

But the EPA and councils have limited resources, so while they can investigate and prosecute those responsible for illegal dumping, they have to be made aware of the situation first. Reporting any illegal dumping you witness or come across allows the relevant departments to take action to bring those responsible to justice and minimise the damage to the environment.

Where to Report

Reporting illegal dumping when you witness it or its aftermath is quick and easy. Reporting helps everyone by giving the relevant authorities the information to act, removing any risks to public health and safety and bringing those responsible to justice.

Find the contact information to report illegally dumped waste for your area below. If it is an emergency situation or the issue presents an immediate threat to health and safety (e.g. toxic fumes or large chemical spills) call 000.

New South Wales

For immediate concerns that do not pose a risk to health and safety, contact your local council. Concerns of illegal waste disposal can also be reported online to the NSW Government EPA at ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au.
Smaller incidents, such as litter or waste being thrown or blown from a trailer or vehicle can be reported to New South Wales EPA Litter Reporting portal.

South Australia

For commercial or immediate concerns or risk, contact the South Australia EPA directly via their phone line (08) 8204 2004 (for non-metropolitan callers 1800 623 445), fax (08) 8124 4670, or email listed on their website South Australia EPA.

In cases of non-commercial waste disposal, or to report littering, contact your local council.

Tasmania

Littering or illegal dumping can be reported in Tasmania either by post or online through the Tasmania EPA website. Reports can also be filed by calling their hotline on 1300 135 513, where they will note your details and post a report form out to be completed and returned.

Victoria

Serious issues, or those that present an immediate risk, can be reported to the Victoria EPA either through their hotline 1300 372 842 or online portal.

Reports can also be made directly to your local council who may have EPA Officers for the Protection of the Local Environment (OPLEs) onsite or will know the best course of action.

Western Australia

Both littering and illegal dumping are handled by the Keep Australia Beautiful division of the Western Australia government. Reporting is preferred online via their Report Littering portal and is both easy and anonymous with reporters being assigned a unique ID to track the case.

If online access in unavailable reports can also be filled by calling their Litter Report phone line on 1300 00 73 76.