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South Australia container deposit (since 1977)

Australia’s oldest scheme: 10c per container at depots statewide. Reform legislation is in progress; wine and spirits due by late 2027. Refund stays 10c.

Organisation
SA Environment Protection Authority
Duration
15 minutes
Licence
Government scheme (page not opened on this check)
Checked on
23 September 2026

South Australia has refunded deposits since 1977 (10 cents since 2008) through independent depots and super-collectors. A 2024 amendment bill modernises governance and, with New South Wales (NSW), the state announced in September 2025 that wine and spirit glass, juice and cordial containers would be added by late 2027.

Honest caveat: the scheme page of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) South Australia blocked our automated check on 23 September 2026, so the current status of the reform bill is unconfirmed; every source we could open says the refund remains 10c, not 20c. Depots sort and sell material; end products are not published.

How to start: epa.sa.gov.au/environmental_info/waste_recycling/container_deposit (find a depot; page confirmed by search listing).

Sources last verified 23 September 2026. Page updated 23 September 2026. How we check sources