The general environment duty (GED) changes the focus of noise compliance and enforcement. Under the GED and the Environment Protection Act 2017 (the Act) any source of noise can be unreasonable.

  • Residential premises

    For residential premises, the Regulations outline: 

    • specific items and prohibited times for when noise from residential premises is unreasonable 
    • when noise from residential premises is aggravated.

  • Commercial industrial and trade premises

    For commercial, industrial and trade premises the Regulations outline:

    • how the noise level at noise sensitive areas is determined
    • the levels at which noise is considered to be aggravated
    • new noise sensitive areas where noise limits apply to childcare centres, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, during their normal operating hours
    • obligations for regional Victoria that were previously in guidance
    • that noise from equipment used in an emergency is not assessed under the Regulations but may still be unreasonable under the Act. Testing of emergency equipment must continue to meet limits set in the Noise Protocol.

  • Indoor and outdoor entertainment venues and events

    For indoor and outdoor entertainment venues and events, the Regulations outline:

    • noise limits that apply to indoor and outdoor entertainment venues and events
    • the application of the Agent of Change principle, consistent with the Victoria Planning Provisions
    • new noise sensitive areas where noise limits apply to tourist establishments, caravan parks and camping grounds (in defined rural areas). These don’t apply when an outdoor entertainment event is taking place or an outdoor entertainment venue is operating.

    Learn more about the noise framework.

EPA’s ‘Applying the noise framework’ guidance series

EPA has published a comprehensive guidance series for business and community. The series explores how the environment protection framework (laws and regulations) apply to noise. The series covers:

  • how different sources of noise are regulated under the Environment Protection Act 2017 (for example, music noise vs industrial noise)
  • how noise can be assessed (using qualitative ‘common sense’ assessment and quantitative technical measurements)
  • how the different environment protection laws interact (the general environmental duty versus the duty not to emit unreasonable noise)
  • examples of how you can comply with these laws and regulations

The series does not cover how residential noise is regulated under the Environment Protection Act 2017. For information visit, Residential noise.

The guidance series is in 4 parts:

Unreasonable noise guidelines

These guidelines explain the concept of unreasonable noise, including pathways for determining if noise is unreasonable, and how they work with the general environmental duty. It also includes case study examples of compliance, enforcement and resolution of noise pollution events. For information visit, Unreasonable noise guidelines.

Commerce, industry, and trade noise guidelines

These guidelines give a comprehensive explanation of how the Environment Protection Act 2017 (section 25, section 166 and section 168) and the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 (Part 5.3, Division 3) apply to noise from commercial, industrial and trade premises. For information visit, Commerce, industry and trade noise guidelines. 

Entertainment venues and outdoor entertainment events music noise guidelines

These guidelines give a comprehensive explanation of how the Environment Protection Act 2017 (section 25, section 166 and section 168) and the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 (Part 5.3, Division 4) apply to noise from entertainment venues and outdoor entertainment events. For information visit, Entertainment venue and outdoor event music noise guidelines.

Permit guidelines for outdoor entertainment venues and events

These guidelines explain the permitting requirements for individuals and businesses who are planning musical entertainment at an outdoor entertainment venue or event. For information visit, Permit guidelines for outdoor entertainment venues and events. 

Read more about the Regulations

Summary of Regulations

Summary of air and water Regulations

Summary of contaminated land Regulations

Summary of financial assurance Regulations

Summary of litter Regulations

Summary of onsite wastewater management Regulations

Summary of permissions Regulations

Summary of waste Regulations

Environment Reference Standard

Reviewed 12 August 2022