General advice - members of the public

Licensed Retailers

Only purchase fireworks from licence retailers and only buy the quantity you can safely let off within the allowable time. A list of licenced retailers is available here.

Restricted areas

The personal use of fireworks is banned on Mindil Beach, and at other designated community Territory Day events.

If you live in an apartment, check if body corporate restrictions apply before letting fireworks off in your complex.

Key safety information

Take extra fire safety precautions before attempting to let off fireworks and ensure that ignition sites are cleared of any flammable materials such as dry grass or mulch.

Always read the safety labels and keep spectators a safe distance away.

Never give young children under 12 fireworks and always have an adult present supervising.

Additional safety tips are available on the information bulletin Celebrate Territory Day the Safe Way.

Celebrate Territory Day the Safe Way

Every year on 1 July, Territorians celebrate the day the Northern Territory achieved self-government in 1978. As part of the celebrations, the public can legally buy, use and possess fireworks within approved periods. This year, the fireworks approved periods are:

• Sale of fireworks – Wednesday 1 July 2026, 9 am to 9 pm
• Use of fireworks – Wednesday 1 July 2026, 6 pm to 11 pm
• Possession of fireworks – Wednesday 1 July, 9 am to Thursday 2 July 2026, 12 noon

Be prepared

• Only buy fireworks from a licensed retailer.
• Keep spectators at a safe distance, at least 10 metres from ignition site.
• Clear the area of all dry materials such as grass and mulch.
• Have a hose or a couple of buckets of water handy.
• Wear cotton clothing around fireworks.
• Keep your fireworks in a covered container or have a responsible person look after them.

Tips on how to use fireworks safely

• Read and follow all safety labels and instructions.
• Light only one firework at a time.
• Stabilise fireworks to ensure they do not fall over when firing.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person or place any part of your body directly over a firework device.
• Never pick up or relight a dud firework. Wait 20 minutes, pour water on it and dispose of it properly.
• Never ignite aerial fireworks near or below trees, near a building opening or anything else that it may hit.
• Wet down all fireworks debris after use.
• Don’t drop the fireworks straight into a bin or leave them unattended.

Children and Pet Safety

• Always have an adult present and never give fireworks to children under 12.
• Light only one sparkler at a time and do not use a lit sparkler to light another one.
• Hold sparklers well away from body and clothing.
• Make sure your pets are secured safely before you ignite any fireworks.

Disposing of used fireworks safely

Spent fireworks can still pose a fire, damage to the property and the environmental. After celebrating with fireworks:

• clean up after yourself
• wet down all fireworks debris
• place all used materials including associated litter and fireworks cartridges in the bin.

What to do with unused and defective fireworks

It is illegal to possess fireworks after midday on Thursday 2 July 2026. Do not store unused fireworks for future use as they can deteriorate with age and become unsafe.

People with unused fireworks can contact NT WorkSafe on 1800 019 115 to organise handing in fireworks for safe disposal. Fireworks can also be handed in to a police station front counter.

Do not:

• store unused fireworks for future use as they can deteriorate over time and become unsafe;
• throw them in the bin or dump them as it may become safety risk to others.

Interstate visitors – leave fireworks behind

The public sale, use and possession of fireworks without a permit is illegal all year round in other jurisdictions.

If you’re a visitor from interstate on Territory Day, don’t attempt to take fireworks back to your home state or territory as it is illegal to possess, store or ignite shopgoods fireworks in other jurisdictions.

First aid

Go to the below link for what to do in the event of a fireworks injury:

Emergencies, injuries and accidents - Fireworks injury

Important contact information:

In the event of an emergency, dial 000.

Department of health

Homepage | NT Health

Health Direct Australia – 1800 022 222

NT Fire & Rescue Service

Fire and Rescue Service | NT Police, Fire & Emergency Services

Phone: 08 8999 3473

NT WorkSafe

Phone: 1800 019 115