Victorian Air Quality Strategy

Victoria’s air quality is good by world standards, but we need to work hard to maintain this, especially as our population and economy grow and our climate becomes warmer and drier.

The Air Quality Strategy sets out how we will further reduce air pollution and tackle major pollution sources while we support communities, the economy and the environment.

It builds on work we are already doing to reduce air pollution including:

• our transformation of Victoria’s environment protection and climate change frameworks
• our multi-million dollar investments in public transport and zero-emission vehicles and fuels
• our commitment to increase the share of renewable electricity generation in Victoria to 50% by 2030.

Strategic objectives

The Air Quality Strategy sets out how the Victorian Government will further reduce air pollution and tackle major pollution sources by implementing four strategic objectives.

The four strategic objectives are:

See links below to read the full strategy

Clean Air for All Victorians – Victoria’s Air Quality Strategy Report  (PDF, 5.2 MB)

Clean Air for All Victorians – Victoria’s Air Quality Strategy Report - accessible (DOCX, 60.4 KB)

Wood heaters and wood smoke

For many Victorians, wood heaters are a much-loved – and for some – essential source of warmth. However, they are a key cause of poor air quality both in and outside the home in the cooler months.

Smoke from wood heaters contains fine particles and gases which can affect you and your neighbours’ health. They can get deep into your lungs and blood stream and make existing health conditions worse.

Although anyone’s health can be impacted by wood smoke, those most likely to be affected are people with existing heart or lung conditions, those with asthma, diabetes, pregnant women, infants and young children, and those aged 65 and over.

How can I reduce wood smoke?

More than 50 per cent of Melbourne’s fine particle emissions come from wood heaters. If you own a wood heater, you can take the following steps to reduce your smoke:

1. Where possible considering using alternative ways of heating your house, especially on calm days with not much wind, as smoke from wood heaters can build up in these conditions.
2. Have your wood heater and flue serviced each year by a professional.
3. Use only dry, seasoned and untreated wood.
4. Never burn plastics or foam, painted wood or treated timber (for example, railway sleepers or fence palings). These generate toxic fumes in addition to wood smoke air pollutants.
5. Only use small or medium pieces of wood and avoid overloading your heater, as this will starve the fire of oxygen and cause it to smoulder.
6. Wait for the fire to establish before adding extra fuel.
7. Open the air controls for a few minutes before adding fuel; then, after reloading, wait until the fire is burning before turning the air controls down.
8. Don’t let your fire smoulder overnight. Fine particle levels can build up overnight and early morning during calm and cold conditions.

Tips for keeping your house warm

1. Choose an alternative form of heating where possible e.g. electric reverse cycle air conditioner. For help making the switch to alternative heating sources, visit the Victoria Energy Upgrades program.
2. Reduce heat leakage, pull down blinds and curtains, close any rooms not in use, seal off draughts – get your door snake.
3. Check the insulation for your ceilings, walls and floors.

Further resources

To find out more information, visit:

• Environment Protection Authority (EPA) - information on how smoke can impact your health
• Environment Protection Authority (EPA) - information on how to reduce smoke and improve air quality
• Better Health Channel - information on health impacts of smoke and resources
• Victorian Energy Upgrades program - information on energy efficiency and available rebates

Next steps

The Action Plan incorporated in the Strategy sets out the initiatives to be implemented through the first two years (2022 to 2024). New Action Plans will be released as required from 2024 to 2030.

To reduce air pollution to improve the health and wellbeing of all Victorians, we need to act now to make the changes that will help us all breathe easier for generations to come.

Victoria’s Air Quality Strategy will help Victorians to understand the need for cleaner air, how and when we are exposed to air pollution, and the effective, targeted steps we all need to take to protect everyone’s health.

Working together we can further improve Victorians’ health and enviable lifestyle, and to ensure our state has a prosperous, clean air future.