How bin day works in Australia
What the different wheelie bins are for, how council collection works, and how to find your bin day in every state.
In short
Your local council collects household rubbish from wheelie bins at each home. On collection day you put the bins out at the kerb (the edge of the road) and a truck empties them. Most homes have separate bins for general waste, recycling and garden or food waste, and some are collected every second week. The Australian Standard sets red lids for general waste, yellow for recycling and lime green for garden waste, but not every council follows it, so check yours.
Rules in each state and territory
Tap your state to see its rules.
South Australia
Each council runs its own bin schedule. In the City of Salisbury, City of Playford and Town of Gawler, bins are handled by NAWMA, which has an address search for your bin day.
What you need to know
- Your address and your council's name
- NAWMA's search shows your collection days and lets you download your calendar
- Public holidays can change the date, so NAWMA recommends checking the calendar PDF
Reminders: Salisbury and Gawler residents can use the free My Local Services app, and Playford residents the free My Playford app, per NAWMA. City of Salisbury's Customer Centre is on 8406 8222. In any other council area, check your own council's website.
NAWMA: when is my bin day? ↗City of Salisbury: recycling and bins ↗Find your council (SA local councils) ↗
Last checked 8 Oct 2026.
New South Wales
Each council runs its own bin collection, so you check with your own council.
What you need to know
- Your address and your council's name
- Most councils have a bin day search on their website where you enter your address
Find your local council (NSW Office of Local Government) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Victoria
Each council runs its own bin collection, so you check with your own council.
What you need to know
- Your address and your council's name
- Most councils have a bin day search on their website where you enter your address
Find your council (Know Your Council) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Queensland
Each council runs its own bin collection, so you check with your own council.
What you need to know
- Your address and your council's name
- Most councils have a bin day search on their website where you enter your address
Find your local council (Get Ready Queensland) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Western Australia
Each council runs its own bin collection, so you check with your own council.
What you need to know
- Your address and your council's name
- Most councils have a bin day search on their website where you enter your address
Find your local government (MyCouncil WA) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Tasmania
Each council runs its own bin collection, so you check with your own council.
What you need to know
- Your address and your council's name
- Most councils have a bin day search on their website where you enter your address
Find your local council (Local Government Association of Tasmania) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT Government collects household bins across Canberra. Look up your suburb to find your day.
What you need to know
- Your suburb
- General waste is collected weekly. Recycling and green waste are collected fortnightly
- Put bins out the night before or by 7 am on collection day
Bin collection calendar (ACT City Services) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Northern Territory
Each council runs its own bin collection, so you check with your own council.
What you need to know
- Your address and your council's name
- Most councils have a bin day search on their website where you enter your address
Find your council (NT Government) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.