Noise ordinances › Australia

Noise restrictions in Australia: quiet hours by state, decibel limits and how to complain

Last updated: October 27, 2026

No national law: each state sets its own rules

Each state and territory has its own noise law (this page covers every state and the ACT, not the Northern Territory). NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania list equipment and the hours when it must not be heard at a neighbour's home. The ACT and Western Australia set decibel limits and let everyday equipment such as lawn mowers go over them only at certain hours. In most states, noise outside the listed hours can still break the law if it is offensive, unreasonable or a nuisance. NSW rewrote its rules in August 2026, so older NSW summaries are out of date. Tasmania remade its regulations the same month with the same hours, and they now cover electric chainsaws and mowers too.

Prohibited times by state and equipment

Hours as read on 27 October 2026. In NSW a fine needs a prior warning, in South Australia the noise must also be unreasonable, and Queensland's hours are defaults a council can replace by local law. In WA and the ACT the hours are when equipment may go over the decibel limit.

New South Wales noise restrictions

The Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2026 replaced the 2017 regulation on 28 August 2026. The NSW EPA says it moved the night start for air conditioners from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. and for pumps from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., and lifted the air conditioner hours in severe and extreme heatwaves. Each time rule covers noise "that can be heard within a residential room of another residential premises, whether or not a door or window to the residential room is open". Garages, storage areas, bathrooms, laundries, toilets and pantries are not residential rooms.

A fine is not automatic: police or a council officer must warn the person within 10 days of the noise, and the offence is a repeat within 40 days of the warning. The EPA gives the penalty as A$400 (A$800 for a corporation) and the court maximum as A$5,500 (A$11,000). At any hour, police and councils can act on "offensive noise", which the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 defines to include noise that "interferes unreasonably with (or is likely to interfere unreasonably with) the comfort or repose of a person who is outside the premises from which it is emitted".

For a one-off problem such as a late party, police or a council officer can give a noise abatement direction (s 276 of the Act). It lasts up to 40 days, and more offensive noise in that time is an offence with a maximum of 30 penalty units (s 277); the EPA lists an on-the-spot fine of A$300 (A$600 for a corporation) and says officers can seize a sound system. For continuing noise, councils can serve noise control notices (s 264), and an affected occupier can ask the Local Court for a noise abatement order (s 268), for which the Local Court filing fee is A$122 from 1 July 2026 (the EPA still lists an older A$83).

Building sites usually work to hours set when the project is approved. The EPA's Interim Construction Noise Guideline recommends 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and no work on Sundays or public holidays, hours it says "are not mandatory".

Victorian noise laws

Section 167 of the Environment Protection Act 2017 bans unreasonable noise from homes. Using an item listed in regulation 114 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 at its prohibited time counts as unreasonable, except in an emergency, if the noise "can be heard in a habitable room in residential premises other than premises in which the item is being used, whether or not a window or door in that room is open". Kitchens, storage areas, bathrooms, laundries, toilets and pantries are not habitable rooms. Air conditioners used for cooling are exempt while a heat health alert is in effect, and EPA Victoria says noise in the allowed hours can still be unreasonable.

Using an item at a prohibited time carries an infringement penalty of 2 penalty units, A$418.20 at the A$209.10 unit value from 1 July 2026 (10 units for a company), and a court can impose up to 120 units (A$25,092). Police and council officers can direct a person to stop for up to 72 hours (s 175), and ignoring a direction carries an infringement penalty of 5 units (A$1,045.50). For house building, EPA Victoria advises 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, with complaints to the council.

Queensland noise laws

Queensland's Environmental Protection Act 1994 sets default noise standards (ss 440R to 440ZC) that apply unless your council has made its own by local law, so check your council's page. Most turn on "audible noise", meaning "noise that can be clearly heard by an individual who is an occupier of an affected building" (s 440L). Councils can issue a direction notice or a fine, or prosecute; the maximum penalty is 600 penalty units, or 1,665 if wilful (s 440Q).

Music and parties are a police matter. Under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, police can act on noise from instruments, sound systems or "a gathering of people for a meeting, party, celebration or similar occasion" that is clearly audible at or near homes and excessive (s 578). Their noise abatement direction lasts 96 hours, breaching it carries up to 10 penalty units, and on a repeat visit they can seize the equipment (ss 581 to 583).

Western Australia noise regulations

Under regulation 7 of the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, noise received at other premises must not exceed the "assigned level". In and within 15 metres of a home, the LA10 level (exceeded for 10 per cent of the measuring time) is 45 dB from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 40 dB on Sunday and public holiday daytimes and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and 35 dB overnight, each plus an "influencing factor" for nearby industrial and commercial land and busy roads (regulation 8). Equipment "which requires the constant presence of an operator for normal use" may go over it only in the hours in the table, used reasonably (regulation 14).

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation says councils use the regulations for domestic noise and police deal with "such activities as noisy parties" under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Police or an authorised person can direct the noise to stop for up to 7 days (s 81); not complying carries up to A$25,000, and emitting unreasonable noise (s 79) up to A$5,000.

South Australia noise rules

Home noise is a local nuisance under Schedule 1 of the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016 if an authorised officer finds it reached neighbouring premises at the listed times and "is such as to constitute an unreasonable interference with the enjoyment of the neighbouring premises". Fixed machines such as air conditioners count at any hour if the noise reaches a habitable room or outdoor living area next door. The Act excludes "noise principally consisting of music or voices, or both, resulting from an activity at domestic premises", so parties go to police.

The expiation fee is A$500 (A$1,000 for a company) and the court maximum A$10,000, or A$30,000 if done intentionally or recklessly knowing a nuisance will result (s 18). The SA EPA says the Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007 was replaced by a 2023 policy on commercial and industrial noise, which does not cover noise from homes.

ACT noise limits (Canberra)

The ACT sets limits by noise zone in Schedule 2 of the Environment Protection Regulation 2005. In residential areas the standard is 45 dB(A) from 7 a.m. (8 a.m. on Sundays and public holidays) to 10 p.m. and 35 dB(A) at other times, measured as near as practicable to the boundary of the block the noise comes from (s 32), and 5 dB lower inside a neighbouring unit or a home sharing a wall (s 24). Access Canberra has a zone map; town centres have higher limits.

Going over the standard carries a maximum of 10 penalty units (s 39), A$1,600 for an individual under s 133 of the Legislation Act 2001. Noise a person makes with only their body is outside the Act, and Access Canberra sends complaints about yelling to ACT Policing. For parties it suggests telling neighbours at least 10 days ahead and moving music and guests inside after 10 p.m.

Tasmania noise regulations

Tasmania's Environmental Management and Pollution Control (Noise) Regulations 2026 were notified on 14 August 2026; the legislation site lists the 2016 regulations as expired. Equipment in Schedule 1 must not be run at its prohibited hours, at home or on a building site, if the noise "is, or is likely to be, audible in a habitable room" in another home (regulation 6). Fixed equipment is measured one metre from the neighbour's nearest wall (regulation 7), and a chainsaw within 300 metres of homes may be used for garden work on one day in seven (regulation 9).

The infringement penalty is 2 penalty units (A$426 at the A$213 unit value from 1 July 2026) and the maximum 50 units (A$10,650). The EPA's hours of use page lists power tools from 9 a.m. on Saturdays, but the regulations (2016 and 2026 alike) allow portable equipment from 8 a.m.; the regulations control. That page also says noise "at any time, including within the Permissible Hours of Use, can still be determined as unreasonable".

How to make a noise complaint

Talk to the neighbour first if it is safe. After that, councils handle ongoing noise (air conditioners, pumps, power tools, building work) and in most states police handle parties and loud music at night (in the ACT, amplified music goes to Access Canberra). NSW: the EPA says to "contact your local council or police station"; the Police Assistance Line is 131 444. Victoria: your council, and EPA Victoria says "Police respond to late-night noise such as parties." Queensland: your council, with music and parties to police, per the government fact sheet. Western Australia: your council, police for parties. South Australia: your council (SA EPA guide), and for loud music and parties the EPA says to "contact SAPOL on its general number 131444". ACT: Access Canberra on 13 22 81; it does not act on anonymous complaints. Tasmania: your council, and the EPA adds "Tasmania Police after hours on 131 444".

A reading helps your record but is not the evidence. In most states the test is whether the noise can be heard at the neighbour's home in a prohibited hour, not a decibel number. Where a number applies (the ACT, Western Australia, Tasmanian fixed equipment, Queensland air conditioners), an officer measures it with a sound level meter. The free online decibel meter runs in your browser and records nothing; it is an uncalibrated estimate of about ±10 dB, enough to tell 50 from 70 but not to settle whether 45 dB(A) was crossed. Turn A-weighting on (dBA vs dBC) and note the time and session average. A dated log of repeated noise is what moves a complaint; the noise complaints guide covers what to log.

Sources

NSW: Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2026, current version for 28 August 2026 to date; Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, current version for 16 October 2026 to date; NSW EPA pages on preventing neighbourhood noise and the regulation changes (updated 31 August 2026) and noise abatement orders (19 August 2026); Interim Construction Noise Guideline (2009). Victoria: Environment Protection Regulations 2021, Authorised Version 011 as at 20 October 2026; Environment Protection Act 2017, Authorised Version 023 as at 30 June 2026; EPA Victoria residential, neighbour and construction noise pages; the Treasurer's penalty unit notice of 5 May 2026. Queensland: Environmental Protection Act 1994, current as at 29 June 2026; Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, current as at 1 July 2026; fact sheet EPP/2021/5675 (reviewed 6 October 2022). Western Australia: Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 as at 31 March 2025; Environmental Protection Act 1986 as at 19 February 2026; DWER noise regulation page. South Australia: Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016, version of 18 June 2026; SA EPA noise pages (modified 20 October 2026 and 13 January 2025). ACT: Environment Protection Regulation 2005, republication R45 effective 11 March 2026; Legislation Act 2001, s 133; Access Canberra noise pages. Tasmania: Environmental Management and Pollution Control (Noise) Regulations 2026 as notified 14 August 2026; Tasmanian EPA noise pages; Department of Justice penalty unit page. All read on 27 October 2026. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice; the legislation controls, and your council may have its own local laws.

What are the noise restrictions in NSW?

Music and TVs must not be heard inside a neighbour's home from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., or from midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Power tools and lawn mowers stop at 8 p.m. and start at 7 a.m. on weekdays or 8 a.m. on weekends and public holidays. Air conditioners stop at 11 p.m. A fine follows only if the noise is repeated within 40 days of a police or council warning.

What are the noise laws in Victoria?

Listed items must not be heard in a neighbour's habitable room at prohibited times. Power tools and lawn mowers: 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., or to 9 a.m. on weekends and public holidays. Music: from 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and from 11 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays. Using an item at a prohibited time can bring an infringement penalty of A$418.20.

What are the noise restrictions on a Sunday?

Most states start later on Sundays. Power tools may not be heard next door before 8 a.m. in NSW and Queensland, 9 a.m. in Victoria and South Australia, and 10 a.m. in Tasmania. In the ACT, gardening and repairs may exceed the noise limit only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Queensland bans audible building work all day on Sundays and public holidays.

How do I make a noise complaint in Australia?

Talk to the neighbour first if it is safe. For ongoing noise such as air conditioners, pool pumps, power tools or building work, complain to your local council; in Canberra, call Access Canberra on 13 22 81. For a party or loud music at night, call the police: the official pages for NSW, South Australia and Tasmania give 131 444. Keep a dated diary of each occurrence.

What are the noise restrictions in Queensland?

Unless your council has its own local law, audible noise from power tools, mowers and leaf blowers is banned from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., or to 8 a.m. on Sundays and public holidays. Builders may make audible noise only from 6.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, except public holidays. Music and parties have no set hours, but police can order excessive noise turned down.

Noise rules in other countries

• UK noise laws
• Noise control in Auckland and New Zealand
• India noise rules

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