Australia is moving ahead with reforms to its packaging regulation framework as the federal government seeks to strengthen waste reduction, recycling and producer responsibility rules.
Updated guidance released in February 2026 outlines how national packaging policy is shifting towards clearer compliance obligations, improved outcomes for recycling systems and greater accountability across packaging supply chains.
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The reforms sit within Australia’s broader waste and circular economy agenda and are intended to address long-standing concerns about fragmented regulation, low recycling rates for some materials and rising volumes of packaging waste.
Push for consistent national packaging rules
The reform programme is being led by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water as part of efforts to create a more consistent national approach to packaging regulation.
At present, packaging obligations in Australia rely heavily on voluntary schemes and industry-led targets, supported by a mix of state and territory policies.
Under the proposed reforms, governments are considering stronger regulatory backstops to ensure packaging placed on the Australian market is recyclable, reusable or compostable, and that problematic materials are phased out.
The updated framework is aligned with national waste targets and is designed to reduce confusion for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Stronger producer responsibility and compliance focus
A central theme of the reform process is the potential expansion of extended producer responsibility for packaging. This would place clearer legal obligations on packaging producers, brand owners and importers to manage the environmental impacts of packaging throughout its lifecycle.
The reforms also signal closer scrutiny of packaging design, labelling and data reporting. Improved information on material composition and recyclability is seen as critical to lifting recycling performance and reducing contamination in collection systems.
For packaging companies, this points to a compliance environment that is likely to become more structured and less reliant on voluntary commitments.
Implications for packaging supply chains and exporters
While the reforms are focused on the domestic market, they carry implications for international packaging suppliers and brands selling packaged goods into Australia.
Clearer national rules may require changes to packaging formats, material choices and reporting practices to meet Australian requirements.
The Australian government has indicated that consultation with industry and state authorities will continue as reforms are developed.
For the global packaging sector, the February 2026 update reinforces a wider international trend towards tougher packaging regulation, where market access increasingly depends on meeting defined sustainability and waste management standards rather than voluntary pledges.
