In March 2020, the Australian, state and territory governments, and the Australian Local Government Association, as members of the former Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed that the export of waste glass, plastic, tyres and paper be regulated by the Australian Government.
We regulate the export of waste tyres under the:
- Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020
- Recycling and Waste Reduction (Export—Waste Tyres) Rules 2021.
Tyres we regulate
We regulate waste tyres:
- that were designed for motorised vehicles that are discarded, rejected, left over, surplus to or a by-product of an industrial, commercial, domestic or other activity
- that are the rubber component of one of these tyres
- that are processed into shreds for use as tyre derived fuel.
Waste tyres include those from:
- motorbikes and motor scooters (includes electric)
- passenger cars and sports utility vehicles (SUVs)
- buses and trucks
- aviation vehicles
- off-the-road (OTR) vehicles and farm equipment.
Tyres we don't regulate
We don't regulate these waste tyres:
- waste tyres that are exported for personal or domestic use
- waste tyres temporarily imported into Australia and then re-exported, for example, when transiting through Australia from another country
- waste tyres that are imported into Australia in contravention of the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 and then ordered to be re-exported by the Minister
- tyres designed for electric or non-electric single-person light transport such as scooters, skateboards and bikes (excluding electric motorbikes and similar road vehicles)
- tyres designed for wheelchairs
- tyres designed for remote controlled toys
- tyres with no rubber component (e.g. tyres made entirely of metal).
Tyres you can export
From 1 December 2021, you can export the following waste tyres if you have a waste export licence:
- tyres that have been processed into shreds or crumb of not more than 150 millimetres for use as tyre derived fuel
- tyres for retread by an appropriate retreading facility, for example, one that is verified by Tyre Stewardship Australia's Foreign End Market program
- tyres to an appropriate importer for re-use as a second-hand tyre on a vehicle
- tyres that have been processed into shreds, crumbs (when the shred or crumb are not for use as tyre derived fuel), buffings or granules.
Tyres you can't export
From 1 December 2021, you cannot export whole baled tyres or tyres in pieces larger than 150 mm.
What you must do
You must apply for and be granted, a waste export licence to export regulated waste tyres from 1 December 2021.
Apply for a licence
Find out how to apply.
For an overview, read our guide to exporting.
Add tyres to an existing waste export licence
If you have a waste export licence for glass or plastic, you can add tyres to it by applying to vary your licence.
Report on industry standards
Before the regulation of waste tyres, the department commissioned a report on the waste tyres industry.
The report sets out domestic and international standards and specifications for processed tyres, tyres intended for retread and re-use, as well as current market trends, and buyer considerations.
The report is an important reference for the department, including when assessing waste tyres licence applications.
Domestic / International Standards for Waste Tyres and Market Information is available for your information.
Contact us
For further information please:
- phone us on 1800 852 974
- email exportwaste@awe.gov.au
- contact us via 'My messages' if you have a WELD portal account