I lived in Melbourne for 10 years and in the state of victoria it is illegal to sell/possess or let off fireworks without a licence. this keeps it down to civic events properly organised by pyrotechnics (and therefor worth seeing!).

I don't believe in a total ban, but since I've been back from Oz things have changed in this country. When we were kids we were taught responsibility re fireworks and there was a firework code. One of the most important things was to keep all pets indoors. That's ok when you know when the fireworks are going to be set off, but since my return it appears to be Sept to January at any random time. I bl00dy hate them!!! My old dog is utterly catatonic with fear and it makes me furious. Is it just me or are they louder now too?

And the law may have changed, but I don't see anyone enforcing it...