<P> The phase - out of lightweight plastic bags in Australia is being pursued at local and state / territory level rather than nationally , with plastic bag bans implemented or pending in all states and territories except New South Wales . Environmental groups have expressed their concern that Australia was lagging other countries in the phase - out of lightweight plastic bags , including Botswana , Somalia and Tanzania . In 2016 it was estimated that of the 5 billion plastic bags used annually by Australians , 150 million ended up as litter . </P>
which states have banned plastic bags in australia
all states and territories except New South Wales