Litter in Australia

Litter in Australia is prevalent in many areas and a significant environmental problem, particularly in the large cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

All states and territories now have legislation against littering which may include fines that are enforceable by the police or other agents.

[3] EPA Victoria was the first to facilitate report littering online (based on vehicle registration details) by introducing the appropriate legislation and dispense fines.

[9] In 2015-16, more than 75 per cent of reports submitted to EPA Victoria by the public were about people discarding cigarette butts from their cars and 60% of offenders were male.

[11] The Independent Inquiry into the EPA report commissioned by the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water that was delivered in 2016 found that litter fine revenue accounted for "just under five per cent of the EPA’s operating budget".

The availability of these receipts may distort the regulator’s incentives and encourage it to dedicate a disproportionate share of its limited resources to a relatively minor environmental hazard.