Australia’s Most Populous State Moves to Regulate Handling, Disposal of Lithium Batteries Amid Fire Incidents

Fire and Rescue NSW have dealt with 384 lithium-ion battery incidents since 2024, according to the NSW government

An image showing fire after a lithium battery was said to explode at a Sydney hostel. Courtesy of Fire and Rescue NSW

The New South Wales (NSW) government has introduced new laws for the handling and disposing of lithium batteries to help prevent dangerous fires.

Lithium batteries have been causing fires nearly daily in NSW, leading to injuries and the destruction of homes.

They are an essential component of electric vehicles (EVs) and can also be found in e-scooters and e-bikes.

Since 2024, Fire and Rescue NSW have fought 384 lithium-ion battery incidents including 33 injuries and multiple deaths.

The Product Lifecycle Responsibility Act aims to improve the safety and environmental management of lithium-ion batteries, including through new registration requirements.

“That means those who make and sell products will have to adhere to requirements on design and manufacturing, reuse and recycling and safe disposal options of their product. NSW will be the first state to pass such legislation,” the government said.

If passed, the new law may require lithium battery suppliers to register their products, improve design and storage, and run public education campaigns.

The government noted that lithium batteries caused between 10,000 and 12,000 fires each year in trucks and waste facilities.

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the new law would make NSW a national leader in holding companies accountable for the safety of battery-powered products.

“This bill will give the NSW Government the strongest powers in the country to ensure suppliers take accountability for the products that they sell. This is nation-leading reform and I’m very proud to move on it,” she said.

“Batteries power our modern life, and we will need them more as we decarbonise our economy. But without adequate safety and care, we will see further deaths, injuries, and property damage.”

She said making manufacturers responsible for the safety management of their battery products would protect the public and firefighters.

“Our product stewardship obligations will be a critical step in protecting firefighters, waste and resource recovery workers, and the broader community from dangerous and preventable battery fires.”

On March 20, Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said lithium-ion batteries were becoming part of everyday life.

“But the major issue is the number of fires we are seeing as a result of that use. There is very little regulation, and work is being undertaken with the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading to make sure that we get better batteries,” he told Parliament.

“At the heart of the issue is the element of community safety. This Government has introduced nation-leading laws to put the onus on suppliers to play a greater role in battery collection, disposal, recycling and education. All those elements are important.”

Lithium Battery Fires

There is a huge difference between high- and low-quality batteries, with Dib noting the heat and humidity of imported cheap batteries caused a “massive fire” in the Northern Rivers area last year.

“We have to make sure that regulations are in place. Over 1,000 people have needed to be evacuated from various properties because of lithium-ion battery fires. Fires that occur in rubbish bins, rubbish trucks or waste facilities are much more complex to put out because of the gases that are released,” he said.

Fire and Rescue NSW has constantly warned the public about lithium battery fire dangers.

On Feb. 11, they sent eight firefighters and two fire trucks to an incident sparked by a homemade battery charger.

The fire agency noted that the lithium-ion blaze was the 14th in nine days.

“[The batteries] can ignite with explosive force, issuing toxic gas, and causing intense fires that spread rapidly,” Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.

“This is yet another example of a close call relating to lithium-ion batteries.”

Opposition Previously Called for Action

NSW Shadow Minister for Health Kellie Sloane had previously called for more to be done on lithium-ion battery safety following a fire in her local electorate.

“Feels like Groundhog Day. Another garbage truck fire in the east. Twice in two days. Both are suspected to be caused by lithium-ion batteries,” Sloane said in 2024 in an Instagram post.

Sloane said she had been meeting with waste industry leaders about the issue and expressed support for state and federal action.

“I support their calls for the state government to fund an education campaign about what we can safely dispose of in our bins—and where we can recycle batteries,” she said.

“For the sake of the drivers, for public safety and for the environment, there needs to be action.”