The Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2017 covers neighbourhood noise laws. There are time restrictions on when noise from residential premises should not be heard inside a neighbour's residence. An offence occurs if the noise continues after a warning has been given by a council or police officer.
Time-of-day noise restrictions
During these times, noise should not be heard in a habitable room in a neighbour's residence.
| Noise source – from residential premises | Time restrictions when noise should not be heard in a habitable room in a neighbour’s residence | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Power tools and equipment (powered garden tools – e.g. lawn mowers and leaf blowers – electric or pneumatic tools, chainsaws, circular saws, gas or air compressors and swimming pool or spa pumps) | Before 8am and after 8pm on weekends and public holidays
Before 7am and after 8pm on any other day |
Local council or police |
| Musical instruments and electrically amplified sound equipment (e.g. radios, TVs, tape recorders, CD and DVD players, and home theatre systems) | Before 8am and after midnight on any
Friday, Saturday or the day immediately
before a public holiday
Before 8am and after 10pm on any other day |
Local council or police |
| Air conditioners and heat pump water heaters | Before 8am and after 10pm on
weekends and public holidays
Before 7am and after 10pm on any other day |
Local council or police |
| Motor vehicles (except when entering or leaving residential premises) | Before 8am and after 8pm on
weekends and public holidays
Before 7am and after 8pm on any other day |
Local council or police |
| Refrigeration units fitted to motor vehicles (this applies whether or not the vehicle is located on residential premises) | Before 8am and after 8pm on
weekends and public holidays
Before 7am and after 8pm on any other day |
Local council or police |
Note: Habitable room means any room other than a garage, storage area, bathroom, laundry, toilet or pantry.
The penalty for breaching the legislation is $200 for individuals and $400 for corporations. The maximum penalty that a court can impose is $5500 for individuals and $11,000 for corporations.