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PFAS Regulations in Australia: What’s Banned, What’s Restricted, and What’s Changing

PFAS Regulations in Australia: What’s Banned, What’s Restricted, and What’s Changing

The term PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) refers to a group of synthetic chemicals often dubbed “forever chemicals” because they resist breaking down in the environment and accumulate in living organisms. These chemicals have been used in a wide range of consumer and industrial applications—from stain-resistant fabrics and non-stick cookware to firefighting foams and waterproof coatings. aph.gov.au+1 In Australia growing awareness of PFAS contamination—especially in drinking water, groundwater, soil and surface water—has driven regulatory change at Commonwealth, state and territory levels. Understanding what is banned, what remains restricted and what is on the horizon is crucial for households, businesses and environmental managers.

What Are PFAS and Why They Are Regulated

PFAS chemicals include well-known compounds such as Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS). DCCEEW+1 They have been found to persist in the environment, travel through soil and water, enter groundwater and bio-accumulate in animals and humans. aph.gov.au+1
 Because of these properties and associated potential health and environmental risks, regulation strives to minimise exposure and contamination.

Overview of Australia’s Regulatory Framework

At the national level the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) under the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 regulates the introduction (import/manufacture) of industrial chemicals including PFAS. AICIS+1 The PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (NEMP) version 3.0 provides nationally consistent guidance on managing PFAS contamination in the environment. DCCEEW+1 However use, release, disposal and remediation of PFAS are largely regulated at state and territory level, meaning rules can differ.  AICIS This layered regulatory structure means any business, organisation or household in Australia needs to be aware of both federal and local controls when dealing with PFAS issues.

What’s Banned

Australia has implemented bans on certain PFAS chemicals and their uses. Key points include:

  • From 1 July 2025, the importation, exportation, manufacture and use of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS (and related mixtures/articles) are prohibited unless an exemption applies (eg in laboratory or research contexts). Clayton Utz+1

  • These bans are part of the listing of these substances in the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) Register, schedule 7, signalling a high risk of serious or irreversible harm. Clayton Utz

  • Some states (for example Victoria) explicitly note that from 1 July 2025 the manufacture, import, export and use of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS and products containing them is banned. Environment

  • At the consumer product level, restrictions are increasing though full bans across all PFAS-containing items are not universal yet.

These bans are significant as they force phased-out use of some of the most hazardous PFAS compounds and provide a clear baseline of regulation.

What’s Restricted (but Not Fully Banned)

While some PFAS are banned, many uses or compounds remain subject to restriction rather than outright prohibition. For example:

  • Under AICIS any business introducing PFAS must register, categorise the chemical introduction and comply with obligations and record-keeping requirements. AICIS

  • The NEMP provides guidance on investigation, risk assessment and remediation of PFAS contamination in land, water and waste materials. These are not direct bans on all PFAS uses but strong regulatory controls. DCCEEW

  • Drinking water guideline values have been established for PFOS, PFHxS (sum) and PFOA (separate) though these are health-based guidance values rather than enforceable standards in many jurisdictions. For example less than 0.07 µg/L for PFOS+PFHxS and less than 0.56 µg/L for PFOA in drinking water as per 2018 values. lachlan.nsw.gov.au+1

  • For waste water, biosolids, resource recovery and land reuse contaminated with PFAS the NEMP provides risk-based criteria and guidance rather than blanket prohibitions. DCCEEW

  • Some products with legacy PFAS treatment (eg textiles, consumer goods) may still contain PFAS under “unintended trace contaminant” exemptions. Clayton Utz

For businesses this means even if a full ban does not apply, restrictions on use, reporting and disposal may impose significant compliance obligations.

What’s Changing — Upcoming & Proposed Regulations

The PFAS regulatory landscape in Australia is evolving rapidly. Key emerging changes include:

  • The NEMP version 3.0 (released June 2025) updated guideline values for investigation and risk assessment, improved guidance around remediation and reuse of resource-recovery products. DCCEEW

  • The review by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of drinking water guideline values for PFAS (including PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS) is ongoing. NHMRC

  • International regulatory pressure and precedent (eg the EU PFAS strategy) suggest broader bans or tighter restrictions on other PFAS compounds may follow.

  • Businesses should prepare for changes such as stricter permissible levels in products, more rigorous source controls, and potential liability for contamination. The 2025 ban of PFOS/PFOA/PFHxS is just the start. leeder-analytical.com+1

  • The Senate PFAS inquiry (Nov 2025) handed down recommendations to strengthen regulation, monitor more thoroughly and expand community protections. ABC

In short the “what’s changing” phase emphasises increasing regulatory burden for PFAS and greater scrutiny of businesses and water systems.

Implications for Businesses and Key Sectors

Regulation of PFAS in Australia has practical implications across many sectors:

  • Organisations involved in firefighting, defence, aviation, manufacturing, construction, waste management and water treatment are particularly exposed because of historical PFAS use (for example firefighting foams) and ongoing regulatory scrutiny.

  • For businesses supplying drinking water, managing groundwater, constructing on land with PFAS legacy or recycling waste materials the updated NEMP and guideline values may impose new investigation and remediation obligations.

  • Household-facing businesses or those supplying equipment for drinking water improvement are also affected: for example Genzon Water supplies water filter systems, including those claiming to remove PFAS. Their article “What Is PFAS in Drinking Water? How to Detect and Remove It” emphasises that boiling water does not remove PFAS and that filters using reverse osmosis, activated carbon or ion-exchange are required for effective reduction. Genzon Water

  • Non-compliance or inadequate management of PFAS may expose businesses to legal, reputational or environmental clean-up liability. As national regulations tighten the risks will increase.

  • Practical steps for businesses include conducting supply chain audits for PFAS content, assessing whether use of PFAS chemicals continues, reviewing water testing and remediation plans, and staying up to date with national and state regulatory changes.

State and Territory Snapshot

While much regulation is national, local differences matter. For example:

  • In Victoria from 1 July 2025 the manufacture, import, export and use of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS and products containing them is explicitly banned. Environment

  • Each state/territory has its own environment protection agency and may have additional requirements on land remediation, waste treatment and water testing—even if national guidance sets the baseline.

  • Businesses need to check relevant state/territory regulation in addition to federal rules.

Role of Water Filtration in the Regulation Landscape

Given the regulatory issues around PFAS in drinking water, household and commercial water filtration is increasingly important. This is where Genzon Water comes into play. The company offers alkaline water purifier systems that (according to the site) “remove all Forever Chemicals & PFAS” and thus can help households seeking to reduce their PFAS exposure from tap water. Genzon Water+1 For consumers in Australia, investing in certified filtration systems that employ reverse osmosis, activated carbon or ion-exchange resins (as noted in the Genzon article) is one way to mitigate exposure—especially in regions where PFAS contamination may be present or where water catchments are under investigation.

Conclusion

PFAS regulation in Australia is advancing: some of the most harmful PFAS compounds are now banned, several uses and contaminants remain subject to restriction, and regulation is still evolving. For businesses and households alike staying informed, preparing for change and taking proactive steps matters. If you are concerned about PFAS in your water supply investing in a high-quality filtration system, such as those offered by Genzon Water, could be a prudent part of your response. As regulation tightens and new evidence emerges the importance of understanding PFAS, managing risk and using the correct technology will only increase.

 

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