Noise

Noise restrictions

Noise can be offensive or a nuisance. Some noises are prohibited during certain hours of the day. If a complaint is about noise the police or local council may deal with the problem.

For more information, see Noise restrictions.

Talking to your neighbour

If you have a dispute with your neighbour about noise, you should consider talking to them to help resolve the problem. Talking about the issue may avoid the problem getting worse or even going to court.

For more information, see Talking to your neighbour.

Making a noise complaint

If you can't reach an agreement with your neighbour about the noise, you can make a formal complaint to the police or your Local Council.

If you live in strata premises you can also complain to the owners corporation, managing agent or building manager.

If your neighbour is a tenant you can also complain to their landlord.

For more information, see Making a noise complaint.

Applying for a noise order

If you have a noise problem, have made complaints, and the noise is still occurring, you may make an application for a noise abatement order through the Local Court. This is an order from the court telling your neighbour to stop or change the noise. It is an offence to breach (break) a noise abatement order.

For more information, see Applying for a noise order.

Responding to a noise complaint

If your neighbour is complaining about noise from your home the first step is to try to talk to your neighbour about the problem.

If your neighbour has made a complaint about noise, you may have been given a warning, a direction or a notice to stop or reduce the noise.

If you live in a strata block, you may get a complaint from the owners corporation, the managing agent or the building manager. If you are a tenant, you may get a complaint from your landlord or the real estate agent.

Your neighbour may have also made an application to the Local Court for a noise abatement order. 

For more information, see Responding to a noise complaint.

Responding to a noise order

If your neighbour has complained about noise from your home and the noise is still occurring, your neighbour may make an application for a noise abatement order through the Local Court. 

This is an order from the court telling you to stop or change the noise. It is an offence to breach (break) a noise abatement order.

For more information, see Responding to a noise complaint.