What containers are eligible for registration in Queensland?
If you supply eligible beverage containers into Queensland, you may be required to register them with COEX before they are sold.
This page will help you understand which beverage containers are covered by Queensland’s container refund scheme, which containers are excluded, and whether registration is required.
Do I need to register my product?
Before registering a product, you should confirm whether the beverage container is covered by Queensland’s container refund scheme and if so, is already registered.
Eligibility is determined by Queensland legislation and is based on a combination of factors, including the type of beverage, the container size, whether the packaging is suitable for recycling and any specific legislative exclusions.
A container is not necessarily eligible simply because it contains a particular beverage or is made from a particular material.
Eligible beverage containers supplied into Queensland must be registered with COEX before they are sold.
Eligible beverage types
Most ready-to-drink beverages sold in sealed containers between 150mL and 3 litres are covered by the Queensland refund scheme and must be registered before they are supplied into Queensland.
Eligible container sizes:
- Containers between 150mL and 3 litres
Eligible beverage types:
- Bottled water
- Soft drinks
- Flavoured water
- Sports drinks
- Energy drinks
- Beer
- Cider
- Wine
- Spirits
- Wine-based beverages
- Ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages and premixes
- Fruit juice*
- Vegetable juice*
- Flavoured milk*
- Drinking yoghurt and fermented milk beverages
* Not all containers containing these beverages are eligible. Certain container size and packaging exclusions apply. See below for more information.
Rules change across states and territories
Eligibility requirements vary across Australia. A container that is eligible in Queensland may not be eligible elsewhere, and vice versa.
Check the relevant container refund scheme before registering your product in a state or territory.
What containers are not eligible for registration?
Some beverage containers and liquids are excluded from the scheme and should not be registered.
Containers that are excluded:
- Hold less than 150mL
- Hold more than 3 litres
- Flavoured milk (holds 1L or more)
- Containers holding 1L or more of a beverage that is at least 90% fruit juice
- Containers holding 1L or more of a beverage that is at least 90% vegetable juice
- Cardboard, plastic and/or foil casks or aseptic packaging containing 1 litre or more of water, wine, or wine-based beverages containing at least 10% alcohol by volume
- Plastic or foil sachets containing 250mL or more of wine
Liquids that are excluded:
- Milk
- Milk concentrate
- Milk powder
- Plant-based milk substitutes (e.g., almond milk, soy milk)
- Cordials intended to be diluted
- Concentrated fruit juice intended to be diluted
- Concentrated vegetable juice intended to be diluted
- Registered health tonics (e.g., oral liquid medicines)
- Syrups
Confirmed your product is eligible?
Need help?
If you’re unsure whether a beverage container is eligible for registration under Queensland’s container refund scheme, visit our contact page to find the right support team.
Disclaimer: This page is a general guide only and is provided to help you understand which beverage containers may need to be registered under Queensland’s container refund scheme. It does not replace the legislation and should not be relied on as legal advice. Eligibility for registration, and whether registration will be accepted, depends on the law in force at the relevant time and the specific characteristics of the beverage product and container. While we aim to keep this information accurate and up to date, you should check the applicable legislation and seek your own advice if you are unsure whether a container must be registered.