Alternatives to Balloons: A Real Reason to Celebrate!

July 11, 2023

Alternatives to Balloons - A Real Reason to Celebrate

Article updated in February 2025

Releasing balloons may seem like a harmless and fun way to celebrate, but as Isaac Newton once said, what goes up must come down! This is no different for balloons that are released into the air, and unfortunately they pose a key threat to the Great Barrier Reef and our oceans as a whole.

Most balloon releases occur in suburban or rural areas. This is because the assumption that being away from coastal areas will reduce the effect of balloons on the marine environment. The Queensland government states that balloons can travel up to 800 km in distance from their original release point; this causes them to become a major environmental hazard.

Thankfully, there are a number of alternatives to balloons that can be used for all kinds of celebrations. Check out our Alternatives to Balloons Fact Sheet for some great ideas.

Released Balloons Turn Into Marine Debris

The Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database confirms balloons are regularly found in marine debris collections. Since 2013, the Database has recorded over 128,960 items under the category “Rubber balloons, balls & toys, elastic straps and bands.” It is estimated that 80% (103,168) are actually balloons.

Balloons, even latex ones, are not ‘biodegradable’, meaning they hang around in the environment as litter for years, posing a threat to wildlife. Many sea turtles mistakenly ingest balloon remnants that look like jellyfish. However, it is not only turtles who struggle. Australia is blessed with an amazingly diverse range of seabirds. Whilst balloon debris is less common than hard plastic debris, a recent study showed if a seabird ingests balloon debris it is 32 times more likely to die.

Burst balloons can look a lot like jellyfish to the unsuspecting marine animal, including turtles

How is Australia Tackling the Balloon Issue?

Queensland

From September 1, 2023, there is a new addition to the list of single-use plastic bans in Queensland: releasing lighter-than-air balloons into the sky. While the use of balloons isn’t restricted, the act of allowing them to escape into the environment is considered littering, and in certain cases, illegal dumping.

Balloon Releases in QLD

New South Wales

It is against the law to release 20 or more lighter-than-air balloons into the air together or at about the same time. The penalty can be $1,100. Releasing 100 or more balloons is an aggravated offence – the penalty can be $3,300. In October 2024 NSW Labor Government announced opposition to the Green's proposed helium balloon release ban bill.

Balloon Releases in NSW

Victoria

From 1 July 2021, EPA has increased powers to prevent harm to the environment from pollution and waste. There are penalties for releasing balloons into the environment. Under section 115 of the Environment Protection Act 2017, fines are: up to six penalty units ($991) for a person up to 30 penalty units ($4956) for a company. For a series of balloon releases, and if taken to court, penalties are: up to 100 penalty units ($16,522) for a person up to 500 penalty units ($82,610) for a company.

Balloon Releases in Victoria

Western Australia

From January 2022, a person must not cause, or permit to release, a balloon that is inflated with a gas that causes it to rise in the air. Where a gas-filled balloon is released into the air by a child, the supervising adult will be held responsible for the release. The ban applies to all balloons made of any combination of plastic or metal foil, or made from ‘compostable’, ‘biodegradable’ and ‘degradable’ plastics.

Balloon Releases in WA

South Australia

The Litter Act covers balloon releases but they are not mentioned specifically.

Read the Litter Act

Tasmania

Releasing balloons into the environment is littering and is illegal in Tasmania. Under the Tasmanian Litter Act 2007, the penalty for littering a small item such as a balloon (which can end up on the ground or in the water) is 2 Penalty Units, which equates to $404 (based on 2024/25 financial year, increases annually). Mass releases of balloons may attract hefty fines.

Balloon Releases in Tasmania

Northern Territory

NT recently released their NT Circular Economy Strategy 2022-2027, which outlines its commitment to ban single-use plastics by 2025. The NT’s waste reduction strategy includes a ban on helium balloons. The Northern Territory will be the first jurisdiction in Australia to bring in this ban if it goes ahead in 2025.

Learn More

Australian Capital Territory

Release of 20 or more balloons is prohibited.

Learn More

Thanks to No Balloon Release Australia for verifying this Balloon Release Legislation update (Feb, 2025).

Help Stop Balloon Marine Debris

Thankfully, there are a number of alternatives to balloons that can be used for all kinds of celebrations. Check out our Alternatives to Balloons Fact Sheet for some great ideas.

Tangaroa Blue Foundation, along No Balloon Release Australia, urges other jurisdictions such as NSW and the ACT to include helium balloon releases in their Plastics Plan and include the release of balloons into the environment as littering under their Waste Reduction and Recycling Act.

However, even in states where balloon releases are banned, releases still occur. This shows that the use of helium for inflating balloons needs to be nationally regulated to stop releases at the source.

We need a uniform national ban on the release of balloons and on the sale and use of helium for inflating balloons to stop releases at the source.

Help Preserve Australian Wildlife

Check out and share our ReefClean No Balloon Release Film which displays alternatives to balloons for celebrations and facts about balloon releases.

Download and use our Alternatives to Balloons Fact Sheet and share with friends and family
Sign the petition to ban the release of balloons in NSW and the ACT and regulate the sale of balloon helium (PETITION NOW CLOSED)
Keep up to date with legislation changes and ways to take action by following No Balloon Release Australia

Resources produced were created through the ReefClean program. ReefClean is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and delivered by the Tangaroa Blue Foundation