Air Quality Categories
The air quality categories (AQC) and colour codes are uniform across Australia, however the PM2.5 concentration ranges are set by the responsible agency in each state or territory. The PM2.5 ranges described below are used by all states and territories with the exception of New South Wales and Western Australia.
Good
0 - 12.4 μg/m3
Advice for the general community
Air pollution is at usual background levels.
No change needed to your normal outdoor activities.
Advice for those sensitive to air pollution
No change needed to your normal outdoor activities.
Fair
12.5 - 24.9 μg/m3
Advice for the general community
Air pollution is above usual background levels.
Keep track of conditions. No change is needed to your normal outdoor activities.
Advice for those sensitive to air pollution
Monitor health conditions. Keep track of conditions and be prepared to take action if the air quality changes to Poor, Very Poor or Extremely Poor.
Poor
25.0 - 49.9 μg/m3
Advice for the general community
The air is likely to be dusty or smoky.
Keep track of conditions. Consider taking steps to reduce your exposure to polluted air if poor conditions last longer than one day.
See advice under Very Poor for a list of actions to consider.
Advice for those sensitive to air pollution
Consider these strategies to reduce your exposure to polluted air:
- Reduce outdoor physical activity, especially if you develop symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath,
- Keep track of conditions, and consider closing windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better,
- Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one,
- Use a P2 or N95 mask, but seek advice from your doctor if you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition,
- Go somewhere with cleaner air if safe to do so, such as an air-conditioned building or shopping centre,
- Follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. Seek medical advice if you're concerned about symptoms, and
- Call for an ambulance if you or anyone in your care has trouble breathing or tightness in the chest.
Very Poor
50.0 - 149.9 μg/m3
Advice for the general community
The air is very dusty or smoky.
Consider these strategies to reduce your exposure to polluted air:
- Reduce outdoor physical activity, especially if you develop symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath,
- Keep track of conditions, and consider closing windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better,
- Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one,
- Use a P2 or N95 mask, but seek medical advice if you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition, and
- Go somewhere with cleaner air if safe to do so, such as an air-conditioned building or shopping centre.
Advice for those sensitive to air pollution
Consider these strategies to reduce your exposure to polluted air, especially if you have a medical condition that is not under good control:
- Avoid outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms like cough or shortness of breath,
- When indoors, close windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better,
- Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one,
- Use a P2 or N95 mask when outdoors, but seek advice from your doctor if you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition,
- Go somewhere with cleaner air if safe to do so, such as an air-conditioned building or shopping centre,
- Follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. Seek medical advice if you're concerned about symptoms, and
- Call for an ambulance if you or anyone in your care has trouble breathing or tightness in the chest.
Extremely Poor
≥ 150 μg/m3
Advice for the general community
The air is very dusty or smoky.
Consider these strategies to reduce your exposure to polluted air:
- Stay indoors as much as possible with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better,
- Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one,
- Use a P2 or N95 mask,
- Go somewhere with cleaner air if safe to do so, such as an air-conditioned building or shopping centre,
- Seek medical advice if you're concerned about symptoms, and
- Call for an ambulance if you or anyone in your care has trouble breathing or tightness in the chest.
Advice for those sensitive to air pollution
Consider these strategies to reduce your exposure to polluted air:
- Stay indoors with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better, and reduce indoor activity,
- Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one,
- Use a P2 or N95 mask when outdoors, but seek advice from your doctor if you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition,
- Go somewhere with cleaner air if safe to do so, such as an air-conditioned building or shopping centre,
- Actively monitor symptoms and follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor,
- Seek medical advice if you're concerned about symptoms, and
- Call for an ambulance if you or anyone in your care has trouble breathing or tightness in the chest.