Regulation Guide
8 min read
By Pedro Carreira
Updated 25 June 2026
Melbourne Water / Local Water Authorities
Regulating Authority
Fines for discharging without
Max Penalties
Restaurants, cafes, food manuf
Who It Affects
Trade Waste Acceptance Requirements affects Restaurants, cafes, food manufacturers, automotive workshops, laundries, printers, hairdressers, and any business discharging non-domestic liquid waste to sewer. Businesses discharging trade waste into the sewerage system must hold a trade waste agreement. Covers grease traps, food waste, chemicals, and other non-domestic wastewater. Understanding and complying with this regulation is essential to avoid penalties and ensure responsible waste management.
What Is Trade Waste Acceptance Requirements?
Businesses discharging trade waste into the sewerage system must hold a trade waste agreement. Covers grease traps, food waste, chemicals, and other non-domestic wastewater.
Key Requirements for Businesses
- Trade waste agreement required before discharging to sewer
- Grease traps mandatory for food premises — must be pumped regularly
- Pre-treatment may be required depending on waste type
- Regular monitoring and reporting of discharge quality
- Compliance with acceptance limits for pH, temperature, oil and grease, metals
- Annual trade waste fees based on volume and strength of discharge
Penalties and Enforcement
Fines for discharging without an agreement. Additional charges for non-compliant discharges. Disconnection from sewer network in serious cases.
How to Ensure Compliance
To ensure compliance with Trade Waste Acceptance Requirements, businesses should: maintain accurate waste records, use licensed waste transporters, and conduct regular waste audits. Bundle Waste includes a compliance review as part of every free waste audit.
Related Waste Services
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What waste management does a Melbourne commercial composting facility need?+
Composting facilities themselves generate: contamination removed from feedstock (plastics, metals — 5–15% of incoming volume), equipment waste, and office waste. Facilities must hold EPA operating licences. Fire prevention per EPA Publication 1667.2 is critical. Odour management is the primary community concern. Facilities accept food and green waste at $100–160/tonne, producing compost sold at $30–80/tonne.
What are the main waste management laws in Victoria?+
Key legislation: Environment Protection Act 2017, Environment Protection Regulations 2021, Climate Change Act 2017, Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021. The EP Act 2017 introduced a general environmental duty (GED) requiring all businesses to minimise risks of harm from pollution and waste.
What is the General Environmental Duty in Victoria?+
The GED under Section 25 of the EP Act 2017 requires businesses to take reasonably practicable steps to minimise risks of harm to human health and the environment from pollution and waste. This is proactive — you must manage risks before harm occurs. Penalties reach about $2.03 million for corporations.
Do I need an EPA licence for waste management in Victoria?+
You need an EPA licence if you operate a scheduled premises (landfill, transfer station, waste treatment facility) or transport prescribed industrial waste. General businesses generating standard commercial waste do not need a licence but must use licensed transporters and disposal facilities.
What is prescribed industrial waste in Victoria?+
Prescribed Industrial Waste (PIW) includes: chemicals, solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, asbestos, clinical waste, contaminated soil, and waste oils. PIW is classified under the EP Regulations 2021 and must be tracked through EPA's waste tracking system. Penalties for illegal PIW disposal reach about $2.03 million.
What are the penalties for illegal waste disposal in Victoria?+
Penalties under the EP Act 2017: indexed in penalty units (one unit = $203.51 in 2025-26) and rising each 1 July: aggravated littering can reach about $407,000 (2,000 penalty units) and serious pollution offences about $2.03 million for corporations (10,000 penalty units), while lower-level littering attracts smaller on-the-spot fines. Criminal penalties can include imprisonment.
Need Help With Compliance?
Bundle Waste ensures your waste management setup meets all Victorian regulatory requirements. Free compliance review included with every audit.
Get Your Free Audit →
Updated 25 June 2026
