To support those who may face challenges preparing their property for cyclone season, City of Darwin will offer a limited assisted pick-up service in August 2026 for eligible residents with mobility limitations or disability-related barriers who require assistance removing hazardous outdoor items from their yard or other accessible outdoor areas. 

Who is eligible for the assisted pick-up service? 

To be eligible for the 2026 assisted pick-up service, residents must meet all of the following criteria: 

• reside within the City of Darwin municipality 
• have limited physical or mental capacity to remove unwanted outdoor items and hold a current disability support pension card or a current doctor’s certificate for any of the following reasons: disability, age-related frailty, mental illness, chronic illness, injury, recovery from surgery or another medical condition 
• have no household member who is reasonably able to undertake the work safely; and 
• have no reasonable access to informal or community support to undertake the work. 

What do I need to know about the service? 

This assisted pick-up service is intended to help eligible residents remove existing outdoor items that could become cyclone hazards. Collection crews cannot remove items from inside homes, garages, sheds or other enclosed areas. 

What do I need to do before my collection?  

• Check the eligibility criteria  
• Review the information on this page, including what will and will not be accepted  
• Complete the booking form  
• Wait for a City of Darwin Officer to confirm your booking details. 

Preparing for an assisted pick-up 

To help our team complete your collection safely and efficiently: 

• City of Darwin will only collect outdoor items that are stored in an accessible outdoor area, such as a driveway, carport, yard or front veranda.  
• Please carefully review the items that we can accept. We will not accept any prohibited items. (See the list below for more information). 
• The total volume of items must not exceed 2 cubic metres. 
• Individual items must be less than 2 metres in length. Longer items will not be accepted unless they are dismantled or cut down to under 2 metres. 
• Items must be able to be safely lifted by two people (generally under 50kg).
• A consent form must be signed at the time of collection to confirm what items are being collected, the presence of any animals at the property and access arrangements for the collection team.  

Items that can be collected

Items that cannot be collected (Prohibited items): 

• Asbestos   
• Broken glass  
• Cardboard (recycle in your yellow bin)  
• Commercial waste   
• Concrete   
• Food and garden waste (including fridges containing food waste)   
• Unlabelled liquids and chemicals  
• Waste exceeding 2 cubic metres   
• Large items longer than 2 metres in length such as scrap metal, trampolines, swing sets and lengths of timber 

How do I book an assisted pickup? 

Bookings are open from Monday 10 August to Friday 4 September 2026. Applications may close earlier if all available places are filled. 

If you meet the eligibility criteria, and have read the information on this page, you can now proceed to book your collection service. 

Please follow the steps below:  

• Complete the booking form below to confirm your eligibility, agreement to the program terms and conditions and preferred collection days. 
• Alternatively, you can fill out a booking form in person at the Civic Centre or one of our libraries (ask for a form at the customer service desk). 
• Please note: Submitting a booking does not guarantee a place in the program.  
• Our team will review your application and contact you to advise the outcome within five working days, and, if approved, confirm your collection window.
• Assisted pick-ups will take place between the end of August through to early October 2026. 

Booking Form 

Need help? If you have further questions about the assisted pick-up service or need support completing the booking form, you can: 

• Visit us in person at our Civic Centre Customer Service  
• Complete the form in person at one of our Libraries. 
• Call 08 8930 0300 or email darwin@darwin.nt.gov.au. 

FAQs

Can someone apply on my behalf? 

Yes. A family member, carer, support worker or authorised representative may assist you with completing and submitting a booking form. 

What proof of eligibility do I need to provide? 

Upon request, you will need to provide either a current Disability Support Pension Card or a current doctor's certificate confirming your eligibility under the program criteria. 

Can I include green waste from my garden?

No. Green waste, soil, rocks and other garden waste cannot be collected through this service.

Can I include a fridge or freezer? 

Yes, provided all food waste has been removed before collection. 

What if I am not eligible for the assisted pick-up service? 

Residents can still dispose of eligible hard waste free of charge at the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility. 

What should I do if I need help completing the booking form? 

Call 08 8930 0300, visit us in person at the Civic Centre or one of our Libraries, or email darwin@darwin.nt.gov.au and our team can assist you.