Diwali fireworks laws Australia › the ACT

Legal information last verified: 25 October 2026. Partly verified: the rules below are from official sources, but some points still need official confirmation (see "What we could not verify").

Quick answer: can you use fireworks for Diwali in Canberra?

What the ACT law says

WorkSafe ACT administers fireworks under the Dangerous Substances Act 2004 and the Dangerous Substances (Explosives) Regulation 2004. Its permits page says fireworks may only be used in a fireworks display, including small displays at a performance or ceremony, when the products are authorised in the ACT and the person in charge holds a fireworks display permit. WorkSafe ACT: Fireworks permits (archived copy checked; live site...

Fireworks in class 1.1G or 1.3G are usually limited to licensed display operators (pyrotechnicians). WorkSafe ACT: Fireworks permits (archived copy checked; live site...

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In practice, that rules out fireworks in a Canberra backyard or park on Diwali night unless they are part of a permitted display.

Diwali displays for temples and community groups in the ACT

The person responsible for the display applies online for a fireworks display permit, with the display arrangements, a written safety management system, insurance and details of the ACT explosives licence under which the fireworks come into the territory. WorkSafe ACT: Fireworks permits (archived copy checked; live site...

ABLIS says the application must be submitted at least 28 days before the planned display, and that you must hold a Display Operator Licence or another authority to use fireworks issued under a corresponding law. Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS):...

Without an ACT display operator or interstate pyrotechnician licence, the applicant must show knowledge and experience and may be interviewed. WorkSafe ACT: Fireworks permits (archived copy checked; live site... A post display report is due within seven calendar days. WorkSafe ACT: Fireworks permits (archived copy checked; live site...

ABLIS lists 2026-27 application fees of $999 for fewer than 1000 explosives, $1521 for more than 1000, and $310 for a non display operator permit. Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS):...

What the official sources say about the ACT

Each point below is taken from the official source linked after it. Read the source itself before you rely on it.

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Diwali 2026 dates in Australia and the fireworks rules

DateDay of the festival
Friday 6 November 2026Dhanteras
Sunday 8 November 2026Naraka Chaturdashi (morning) and Diwali / Deepavali, Lakshmi Puja (evening)
Tuesday 10 November 2026Govardhan Puja
Wednesday 11 November 2026Bhai Dooj

HinduTone's Drik Panchang-aligned calendar lists Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) on Sunday 8 November 2026 for this region, with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November, Govardhan Puja on Tuesday 10 November and Bhai Dooj on Wednesday 11 November. Naraka Chaturdashi falls on the morning of the same day as Diwali. The dates differ from India because the tithis are calculated for local time.

For a display on Diwali, Sunday 8 November 2026, the 28-day rule means the permit application must be in by Sunday 11 October 2026. That date has passed, so for 2026 look for a display that is already permitted, and plan next year's application early.

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Key rules in the ACT at a glance

TopicWhat the official sources say
Backyard fireworksNot allowed outside a permitted display.
Display permitFrom WorkSafe ACT; apply at least 28 days before.
PossessionOnly on the date of the display.
Fees (2026-27, ABLIS)$999 (fewer than 1000 explosives), $1521 (more than 1000), $310 (non display operator).
After the displayPost display report within 7 calendar days.

What we could not verify

These points are still open. Do not treat them as settled until the official authority confirms them:

  • The ACT ban on the sale of consumer fireworks to the public was not confirmed on a regulator page we could read; the live WorkSafe ACT site blocked our check.
  • Whether sparklers may be sold or used by the public in the ACT.
  • Penalties for using fireworks without a display permit.

Diwali fireworks safety tips for the ACT

  • Check your state fire service for fire danger ratings and total fire bans on the day; November is early bushfire season in much of Australia.
  • Buy only from a licensed or registered seller in the jurisdiction where you will use the fireworks, and keep the packaging so the product category and instructions stay with it.
  • Read the label before dark. The product category and the safety distance printed on it are the legal and practical limits for your garden or yard.
  • Tell your neighbours in advance, especially older people and pet owners, and stop on time.
  • Check for a fire ban or dry-weather warning on the day. A ban can be announced at short notice and overrides the normal rules.
  • Keep diyas and candles away from curtains, rangoli powder piles, saris and dupattas, and never leave a lit diya unattended.

Lawful ways to celebrate Diwali without fireworks

  • Clay diyas: a row of oil lamps at the door and windows is the heart of Deepavali and needs no permit. Stand each one on a metal plate or a tray of sand.
  • LED diyas and string lights: battery diyas are safe for balconies, dormitories, rented flats and anywhere open flames are restricted.
  • Rangoli: a coloured-powder, rice-flour or flower rangoli at the entrance welcomes Lakshmi and gives children a creative part in the festival.
  • Temple and community celebrations: most Hindu temples and community associations hold Lakshmi Puja, aarti and cultural programmes during Diwali week; check their own website or notice board for the 2026 schedule.
  • Authorised public displays: a professional display run under a permit or licence gives the family a fireworks moment without the legal risk.
  • Quiet celebrations: music, bhajans, a diya-lit dinner or a lantern walk on your own property avoid noise complaints and fire risk.

Who to contact

For fireworks display permits, contact the Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Chemicals Unit of WorkSafe ACT (WorkSafe ACT: fireworks permits). For an emergency, call 000.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I set off fireworks in my backyard in Canberra for Diwali?

No. WorkSafe ACT says fireworks may only be used in a fireworks display run by a person who holds a fireworks display permit, using fireworks authorised in the ACT.

How far ahead must a temple apply for a Diwali display permit in the ACT?

At least 28 days before the planned display, according to the ABLIS listing for the ACT fireworks display permit.

How much does an ACT fireworks display permit cost?

ABLIS lists 2026-27 fees of $999 for fewer than 1000 explosives, $1521 for more than 1000, and $310 for a non display operator permit. Check the current fees determination before applying.

Can the permit holder store leftover fireworks in the ACT?

No. The permit only allows possession on the date of the display and does not allow unused fireworks to be stored in the ACT.

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Are sparklers allowed in the ACT?

We could not confirm this from a WorkSafe ACT page we could read. Ask WorkSafe ACT before buying sparklers.

Important

This page is general information, not legal advice; local rules and temporary fire bans can change. Always check with the official authority for your exact address before buying or using fireworks.

Editor's note (25 October 2026): HinduTone checked the the ACT rules on this page against the official sources linked above. We review this guide every year before Diwali; the next scheduled review is 15 September 2027. If you are an official and see an error, please contact us so we can correct it.

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