Australia's waste management regulations are set at the state level, which means businesses operating across state borders face a patchwork of rules, levies, and reporting requirements. For companies with operations in both New South Wales and Victoria — Australia's two most populous states — the differences can be significant. Getting it wrong doesn't just mean inefficiency; it means potential fines, failed audits, and reputational damage.
This guide compares the key regulatory differences between NSW and Victoria to help multi-state businesses stay compliant, optimise costs, and avoid common pitfalls.
Landfill Levies: The Biggest Cost Difference
The landfill levy is the single largest variable cost in waste management, and it differs substantially between the two states.
NSW Landfill Levy
NSW operates a tiered levy system based on geographic zones. The metropolitan levy area (Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, and surrounding regions) attracts the highest rate at $171.20 per tonne for 2025-26. The regional levy rate is lower, and some remote areas are exempt entirely. NSW has consistently maintained higher levy rates than any other Australian state, using the levy as a primary financial instrument to drive waste diversion.
Victoria Landfill Levy
Victoria's landfill levy sits at $169.79 per tonne for municipal and industrial waste (2025-26), with higher rates for priority (prescribed industrial) waste — up to $288.29 per tonne for Category B. While lower than NSW's metropolitan rate, Victoria's levy has been increasing steadily and is projected to continue rising under the state's Recycling Victoria policy framework. Unlike NSW, Victoria does not use geographic zoning — the same rate applies statewide.
What This Means for Multi-State Businesses
The $65+ per tonne difference between NSW metro and Victorian levies is significant at scale. A business generating 500 tonnes of waste per year across both states could face a levy difference of $32,000+ depending on where that waste is disposed. This creates a financial incentive to maximise diversion in NSW operations, where every tonne diverted from landfill saves more money. It also means waste contracts in NSW should be scrutinised more carefully — the levy component is a larger share of the total invoice.
EPA Structures and Enforcement
EPA NSW
The NSW Environment Protection Authority operates as an independent statutory authority with broad enforcement powers. EPA NSW is known for active enforcement, particularly in the illegal dumping space. The agency uses a risk-based licensing system — businesses that generate, transport, or dispose of waste above certain thresholds require an environment protection licence (EPL). Licence holders face annual reporting requirements and are subject to compliance audits.
EPA Victoria
EPA Victoria was significantly reformed under the Environment Protection Act 2017, which came into full effect in July 2021. The reformed EPA operates under a "general environmental duty" model — every business has a positive obligation to minimise risks of harm to human health and the environment from pollution and waste. This is a broader duty than the old prescriptive licence model, and it places the onus on businesses to proactively identify and manage waste risks rather than simply complying with licence conditions. Read our detailed guide on EPA Victoria waste regulations for more.
Key Difference
NSW uses a more traditional licence-and-enforce model, while Victoria's general environmental duty is broader and more principles-based. For businesses, this means Victorian operations require a more proactive approach to waste compliance — you can't simply point to licence conditions and say "we've met the requirements." You need to demonstrate that you've taken reasonably practicable steps to minimise environmental risk.
Waste Tracking Systems
NSW: WasteLocate
NSW uses the WasteLocate online tracking system for certain waste types, including asbestos waste and tyres. Transporters and receivers must report movements through the system. For other regulated waste streams, NSW uses a paper-based or electronic tracking system through EPA-issued consignment authorisations.
Victoria: EPA Interaction Portal and Waste Tracker
Victoria requires tracking of prescribed industrial waste (PIW) through its waste tracking system. Producers, transporters, and receivers of PIW must register and report waste movements. Victoria's system is more comprehensive in its digital tracking capabilities, and the EPA has been investing in real-time tracking and data analytics. Businesses handling prescribed industrial waste must ensure their tracking paperwork is impeccable in both states.
E-Waste Bans
Victoria led the nation by banning e-waste from landfill in July 2019. This means all electronic waste — computers, televisions, phones, batteries, printers, and other electronic equipment — must be taken to an authorised e-waste collection point or recycler. Businesses in Victoria cannot place e-waste in general waste bins, and waste collectors can refuse to collect bins containing visible e-waste.
NSW does not currently have a blanket e-waste landfill ban equivalent to Victoria's, although the federal Product Stewardship Act and the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) create collection obligations for manufacturers and importers. NSW businesses should still separate e-waste as a matter of best practice, and a formal ban is widely expected in coming years.
For multi-state businesses, the safest approach is to apply Victoria's stricter e-waste rules across all operations. This avoids confusion, ensures compliance in Victoria, and future-proofs NSW operations against likely regulatory changes.
Organic Waste Mandates
Victoria
Under Recycling Victoria, the state government has been progressively mandating separation of food and organic waste from general waste. Councils are rolling out food organics and garden organics (FOGO) kerbside collections, and commercial food waste generators above certain thresholds are expected to separate organics. Victoria's target is to halve the volume of organic waste going to landfill by 2030.
NSW
NSW has set a target of net-zero emissions from organic waste by 2030 under its Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy. The state is mandating source-separated food and garden organics collections across all councils by 2030. For commercial generators, NSW is progressively introducing obligations for large food waste generators (restaurants, hotels, supermarkets) to separate food waste.
Practical Impact
Both states are moving in the same direction on organics, but the timelines and thresholds differ. Businesses in the hospitality, food manufacturing, and retail sectors should implement food waste separation programs now, regardless of which state they operate in. The cost of organics processing is typically lower than general waste disposal (especially once the landfill levy is factored in), so early adoption usually saves money.
Container Deposit Schemes
NSW was the first state to introduce a modern container deposit scheme (Return and Earn) in December 2017. The scheme covers most beverage containers between 150ml and 3 litres, with a 10-cent refund per container. NSW has an extensive network of return points, including reverse vending machines and over-the-counter depots.
Victoria launched its container deposit scheme (CDS Vic) in November 2023 — six years after NSW. The scheme mirrors the NSW model with a 10-cent refund, though the network of return points is still maturing. Both schemes are administered by different scheme coordinators, which means businesses operating collection programs across both states need separate registrations and processes.
For businesses generating significant beverage container waste (hospitality, events, gyms, offices), capturing CDS refunds in both states can generate meaningful revenue. A business producing 10,000 containers per month across both states is leaving $12,000 per year on the table if those containers go to general waste.
Practical Advice for Multi-State Businesses
Apply the Stricter Standard
When in doubt, apply whichever state's regulation is stricter across all your operations. This simplifies training, reduces compliance risk, and future-proofs against regulatory convergence. In most cases, this means applying Victoria's e-waste ban rules and NSW's waste tracking rigour across both states.
Centralise Waste Reporting
Nominate a single person or team responsible for waste compliance across all states. Fragmented responsibility — where each site manager handles their own waste compliance — inevitably leads to gaps. Centralised oversight ensures consistent practices, consolidated reporting, and better negotiating leverage with waste providers.
Audit Both States Separately
A waste audit conducted at your NSW sites doesn't cover your Victorian operations, and vice versa. Audit each state's operations against that state's specific regulatory requirements. Pay particular attention to levy rates (which directly affect your costs), tracking obligations (which carry penalties for non-compliance), and emerging mandates (organics separation, e-waste).
Review Contracts for State-Specific Clauses
Waste management contracts should clearly specify which state's regulations apply, how levy increases are passed through, and what happens if regulations change. Many national waste companies use a single contract template across states — make sure the contract terms actually reflect the regulatory environment in each state where you operate.
Engage a Specialist Partner
Managing waste compliance across multiple states is complex and time-consuming. A waste management partner like Bundle Waste can audit your operations in each state, ensure compliance with state-specific regulations, negotiate competitive rates that account for different levy structures, and provide a single point of contact for all waste management issues.
Looking Ahead: Regulatory Convergence
Australian states are gradually converging on waste policy through the National Waste Policy and associated action plan. Container deposit schemes, e-waste bans, and organic waste mandates are spreading to all states. However, the pace and specifics differ — and will continue to differ — for years to come. Businesses that stay ahead of these changes save money and avoid compliance scrambles when new regulations take effect.
For a broader view of waste levy rates across all Australian states, see our national comparison guide.
Compliance — FAQ
What are the main differences between NSW and Victorian waste regulations for business?
The key differences are the landfill levy, EPA model, waste tracking and e-waste rules. NSW charges a tiered metro levy of $171.20 per tonne and runs a licence-and-enforce model; Victoria charges $169.79 per tonne for metro waste and applies a broader General Environmental Duty. Victoria also bans e-waste from landfill, which NSW does not. Multi-state businesses must comply with each state separately.
How much higher is the NSW landfill levy compared to Victoria in 2026?
For 2025-26, the NSW metropolitan levy is $171.20 per tonne while Victoria's metro municipal levy is $169.79 per tonne, so NSW is only marginally higher at the top rate. The gap widens against Victoria's lower rural rates ($84.78 municipal, $149.33 industrial). At scale, even small per-tonne differences add up, so businesses often scrutinise NSW contracts more closely.
Is e-waste banned from landfill in both NSW and Victoria?
No. E-waste has been banned from Victorian landfill since 1 July 2019, so computers, batteries, phones and other electronics cannot go in general waste bins there. NSW has no equivalent blanket ban yet, though one is widely expected. The safest approach for multi-state businesses is to apply Victoria's stricter e-waste rules across all sites to stay compliant and future-proof.
Does Victoria's EPA General Environmental Duty change how my business handles waste?
Yes. Under Victoria's General Environmental Duty, your business has a positive obligation to take reasonably practicable steps to minimise harm from waste and pollution, rather than simply meeting licence conditions. Corporate breaches can attract penalties up to roughly $2.03 million. You must proactively identify and manage waste risks and keep evidence, which is a broader standard than NSW's licence-based model.
Can a waste broker help manage waste compliance across both NSW and Victoria?
Yes. As an independent waste broker, Bundle Waste compares and negotiates provider rates on your behalf across both states, typically on a no-win, no-fee basis. We can review state-specific contract clauses, account for the different levy structures, and give you a single point of contact. Many businesses find this often reduces costs while keeping reporting consistent across sites.
