Understanding PFAS

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used since the 1950s in various products due to their resistance to heat, stains, grease and water. Many industrial and consumer products contain PFAS, including carpets, clothing, non-stick cookware and food packaging. In the past, fire-fighting foams also contained PFAS.

There are low levels of PFAS in soil, sediment, water and animals across most of Victoria.

There is worldwide concern about PFAS as they are widely used, stay in the environment for a long time, and can accumulate in animals and people.

PFAS and human health

Most people are exposed to low levels of PFAS from using products that contain PFAS compounds or from eating food or drinking water with PFAS in it.

There is no consistent evidence that PFAS are harmful to human health or cause any specific illnesses. However, we still do not know everything about how PFAS affects human health. Victorians should take a precautionary approach to reducing exposure to PFAS, consistent with guidance from the federal Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth).

Efforts to manage PFAS

The Victorian Government is taking proactive steps to manage PFAS through monitoring, regulation and community support initiatives:

  • EPA is actively monitoring PFAS levels in soil, water and wildlife across the state
  • EPA also released guidelines for communities and industries on how to manage PFAS safely
  • The Department of Health has also issued guidance to help communities understand and reduce PFAS exposure

The Australian Government is involved in a number of initiatives addressing PFAS:

  • Released in December 2024, the updated PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (NEMP) 3.0 provides national guidance for managing PFAS contamination. This was developed collaboratively between the Australian and New Zealand Governments, together with states and territories.
  • The National Health and Medical Research Council is currently reviewing the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines in line with updated advice on PFAS chemicals.
  • The Australian Department of Defence has launched the national PFAS Investigation and Management Program to investigate and remediate PFAS contamination and support impacted communities.
  • From 1 July 2025 the Australian Government is banning the manufacture, import, export, and uses of PFOS, PFOA, PFHXS, and products containing these substances. The Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) Register outlines measures for managing the risks of harm to the environmental from PFAS substances, including prohibitions and restrictions on use.
  • Australia participates in international efforts and is a party to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutions. This is a global treaty protecting human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Some PFAS chemicals (PFOS and PFOA) have been listed on the Convention.

Further resources

For more information about PFAS and how it's being managed in Victoria and Australia, you can visit:

EPA Victoria - About PFAS

Victorian Department of Health - PFAS

Australian Government - PFAS

Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care - PFAS Substances

Page last updated: 10/07/25