Before you make a complaint
It's an offence to make unreasonable noise from a residence.
The Environmental Protection Authority sets time restrictions on noise depending on the cause of the sound. There are prohibited times for residential noise such as mowing, chainsaws and machinery. To find out more, visit the Environmental Protection Authority website.
If you are worried about noisy neighbours, the best first step is to talk to them. You may feel nervous, but they often don’t realise they are disturbing you. The Environmental Protection Authority provides resources to support conversations with your neighbour.
Mediation
If you can’t reach a solution with your neighbour, the Department of Justice offers a free and confidential mediation service. The service is a simpler and cheaper alternative to taking civil disputes through the courts.
Both people need to choose to take part in the process. However, 85% of disputes using this mediation service end in an agreement.
For more information, visit the Disputes Victoria website or call them on 1300 372 888.
When to contact Council
If talking to the person or trying mediation doesn’t work, we may be able to investigate your noise concern.
Barking dogs
We can investigate issues with barking dogs. You can find more information on our Barking dog complaints page.
Residential construction, demolition and alarm noise
We can investigate issues with residential construction, demolition and alarm noise. Contact us for more support or information.
Noise logs
You must complete a 4-week noise log and submit it with your complaint. You must complete this with as much detail as possible every day over 4 consecutive weeks. This includes the days when you don’t hear the noise.
The noise log helps us work out the trend and scale of the problem, as well as how it affects you. These logs can also be used as evidence in court.
If your noise log is not complete, we can’t investigate your complaint.
You can submit your noise log to us by:
- email at [email protected]
- post to Health Services at 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South VIC 3152.
After you submit a noise log to our Health Services team, one of our officers will review the log and contact you about the next steps. We aim to contact you within 3 business days.
In most cases, your identity will stay private. It would only be shared if legal action starts.
Download the noise log template (PDF)
When to contact Victoria Police
Late night music and party noise
If you are being disturbed by after-hours noise from music and parties, call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
Victoria Police can visit the property and order them to stop or reduce the volume through powers under the Environment Protection Act 1970.
Antisocial behaviour
If you are being disturbed by antisocial behaviour, call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
This can include:
- fighting
- foul language
- loitering
- domestic disputes.
Always call Triple Zero (000) if there is immediate danger or your neighbour is threatening or aggressive.
When to contact the Environment Protection Authority Victoria
Commercial or industrial noise
The Environment Protection Authority investigates commercial and industrial noise.
This includes noise from:
- offices
- shops
- factories
- entertainment venues and outdoor music events
- loud vehicles
- mines and quarries
- farms
- commercial and industrial construction
- demolition sites.
To report noise from a commercial, industrial or trade property, call their 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842.
Concrete pours
Concrete pours are classed as ‘unavoidable works’ under the Environment Protection Authority guidelines.
For information about how long the work will take or when it will finish, contact the site supervisor. Their contact details should be on the temporary fencing.
Need help?
Contact us and we will get back to you.
Or call our Customer Service team on 9298 8000.
