Fireworks warning as RSHQ begins 'Cracker Night' crack down on Queensland border
The state’s fireworks regulator is cracking down after Cracker Night to prevent dangerous and illegal fireworks being taken from the Northern Territory across the Queensland border.
Each year on 1 July for Territory Day, anyone in the NT can detonate fireworks without a licence or specialist training, which sparks an influx of travellers bringing leftover fireworks across the border illegally.
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) conducts Operation Bright Sky at the NT-Qld border after Cracker Night each year to seize illegal fireworks before they make their way into the Queensland community.
RSHQ's Senior Explosives Inspector Raymond Stewart says whether people know it’s illegal or not, failing to surrender illegal fireworks at the border can result in massive fines.
“The safety of Queenslanders is paramount, and we don’t want to see any adult or child here burned, blinded or seriously hurt due to illegal fireworks,” he said.
"Fireworks in untrained hands have led to lifelong and life changing injuries – they can become weapons if not handled correctly or without a license.”
In Queensland, Cracker Night has been banned for more than 50 years and, today, the personal use of fireworks without a licence is strictly illegal. Most states in Australia take a similar approach.
“The maximum penalty for possessing illegal fireworks in Queensland is six months imprisonment, or a fine of $66,760, but there’s no penalty if illegal fireworks are handed over willingly,” RSHQ’s Health Strategy and Compliance Director Patrick Jensen added.
“Operation Bright Sky aims to keep people safe and give travellers a simple way to hand over illegal fireworks to be safely destroyed by RSHQ inspectors at a secure location.”
Operation Bright Sky last year seized 70kg of fireworks, with more than 92kg seized in 2024.
Previous Operation Bright Sky results:
- 2025: 70kg of fireworks seized
- 2024: 92kg of fireworks seized
- 2023: 45kg of fireworks seized.
* Media note: Video and images from Operation Bright Sky 2025 and 2024 are available on request.
Last updated: 01 Jul 2026