Noise control

An occupier of a premises where air conditioning equipment is located, commits an offence under the Environmental Protection Act if the equipment is operated:

• after 10:00 PM on any day and before 7:00 AM of the following day in a manner that makes noise of more than 3 dB(A) (Show info) above the background level
• between the hours of 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM on any day in a manner that makes a noise of more than 5 dB(A) (Show info) above the background level.

Amplifier devices include loud-hailers, megaphones, public address systems, remote telephone bells and telephone repeater bells. A person must not operate any of these devices in a way that makes audible noise:

• on a business day, before 7:00 AM or after 10:00 PM; or
• on any other day, before 8:00 AM or after 6:00 PM. 

A person must not conduct blasting if any of the following applies:

• the air blast overpressure is more than 115 dB(Z) (Show info) Peak for 4 out of any 5 consecutive blasts
• the air blast overpressure is more than 120 dB(Z) (Show info) Peak for any blast
• the ground vibration is:
  • for vibrations of more than 35Hz, more than 25mm a second ground vibration, peak particle velocity
  • for vibrations of no more than 35Hz, more than 10mm a second ground vibration, peak particle velocity.

A person must not carry out building work in a way that makes audible noise:

• on a business day or Saturday before 6:30 AM or after 6:30 PM.
• on any other day, at any time.

These requirements apply to licensed builders and owner builders.

For noise restrictions relating to home renovation projects carried out by the home owner, refer to Power and trade tools.

Gardening equipment that are considered regulated devices include:

• lawn mowers and whipper snippers
• leaf blowers
• mulchers
• chainsaws and other electrical, mechanical or pneumatic power tools.

These devices must not make an audible noise:

• on a business day or Saturday before 7:00 AM and after 7:00 PM
• on a Sunday or public holidays, before 8:00 AM and after 7:00 PM.

These requirements do not apply to registered builders (see Building Work).

An indoor venue is a building used for musical, sporting, entertainment, cultural or religious activities. An indoor activity does not include a licensed premises or a building being used for an open-air event.

An occupier of a building must not use the building as an indoor venue:

• before 7:00 AM or after midnight if the use makes an audible noise
• from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM if the use makes a noise of more than 5 dB(A) (Show info) above the background noise level
• from 10:00 PM to midnight if the use makes a noise of more than 3 dB(A) (Show info) above the background noise level.

An open-air event is an open-air competition, concert, display, race or other activity.

An occupier of premises must not use the premises for an open-air event on any day:

• before 7:00 AM if the use causes audible noise
• from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM if the use causes noise of more than 70 dB(A) (Show info)
• from 10:00 PM to midnight if the use causes noise of more than the lesser of the following:
  • 50 dB(A) (Show info)
  • 10 dB(A) (Show info) above the background level.

A person must not operate an outdoor shooting range between:

• 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM on any day, if the noise from the operation is more than:
  • for a range that is normally used at least five days a week, 95 dB(Z) (Show info) Peak Hold
  • for a range that is normally used four days a week, 100 dB(Z) (Show info) Peak Hold
  • for a range that is normally used no more than three days a week, 105 dB(Z) (Show info) Peak Hold.
• 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM on any day, if the noise from the operation is more than:
  • for a range that is normally used at least five evenings a week, 85dB(Z) (Show info) Peak Hold
  • for a range that is normally used four evenings a week, 90 dB(Z) (Show info) Peak Hold
  • for a range that is normally used no more than three evenings a week, 95 dB(Z) (Show info) Peak Hold.

A person must not use a power boat in a waterway for a power boat sport if the use makes audible noise for an affected building for more than a continuous period of two minutes:

• on a business day or Saturday before 7:00 AM and after 7:00 PM
• on a Sunday or public holiday before 8:00 AM and after 6:30 PM.

A person must not operate a power boat engine (operating an engine includes flushing the engine) at a premise in a way that makes audible noise:

• on a business day or Saturday before 7:00 AM and after 7:00 PM
• on a Sunday or public holiday before 8:00 AM and after 6:30 PM.

Power and trade tools that are considered regulated devices include:

• compressors
• ducted vacuuming systems
• generators
• impacting tools
• oxyacetylene burners
• electrical, mechanical and pneumatic power drills such as chainsaw, drill, electric grinder or sander, electric welder, nail gun.

These devices must not make an audible noise:

• on a business day or Saturday before 7:00 AM and after 7:00 PM
• on a Sunday or public holiday before 8:00 AM and after 7:00 PM.

These requirements do not apply to registered builders (see Building Work).

An occupier of the premises where pumps are located commits an offence under the Environmental Protection Act if they use or allow the use of the pump:

• after 10:00 PM on any day and before 7:00 AM of the following day
• if it makes a noise of more than 5 dB(A) (Show info) above the background level between the hours of 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• if it makes a noise of more than 3 dB(A) (Show info) above the background level between the hours of 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

A person must not use, or permit use of refrigeration equipment on any day:

• after 10:00 PM on any day and before 7:00 AM of the following day it makes noise of more than 3 dB(A) (Show info) above the background level
• between the hours of 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM on any day in a manner that makes noise of more than 5 dB(A) (Show info) above the background level.