Australia’s New Driving Fines: Starting July 1, 2025, Australian drivers will face a significant overhaul of traffic laws and penalties as part of a nationwide push to enhance road safety and curb dangerous driving behaviors. These reforms, designed to reduce road fatalities and promote compliance, introduce steeper fines, stricter demerit point thresholds, and advanced enforcement technologies across all states and territories.
With road trauma on the rise—evidenced by a 2024 Victoria Transport study noting mobile phone distractions in over 20% of rear-end collisions—these changes signal a zero-tolerance approach to risky behaviors like distracted driving, speeding, and failure to wear seatbelts. Here’s a comprehensive look at what drivers need to know to stay compliant and avoid hefty penalties.
Stricter Penalties for Mobile Phone Use
One of the most prominent changes targets distracted driving, particularly mobile phone use behind the wheel. From July 2025, using a handheld phone while driving—even at traffic lights or in slow traffic—will incur fines ranging from $600 to $1,500, depending on the state, with up to six demerit points. For example, Queensland will see fines rise to approximately $1,250, a 3.5% increase from $1,208, while some jurisdictions may impose penalties as high as $1,500 for repeat offenders.
A second offense within 12 months could lead to doubled fines and a three-month license suspension. Provisional and learner drivers face even tougher rules, with any phone use, including hands-free, now prohibited, reflecting their higher crash risk.
The crackdown is backed by expanded use of AI-powered mobile phone detection cameras, already operational in Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia. These cameras can automatically detect phone use, seatbelt violations, and erratic driving, issuing fines without human intervention. South Australia, for instance, imposes a $556 fine plus a $102 Victims of Crime Levy, alongside three demerit points per offense.
Western Australia is also adopting AI-enabled cameras to detect both phone and seatbelt breaches, with fines up to $1,000. Drivers are urged to invest in hands-free devices and phone mounts to avoid these costly penalties.
Increased Fines and Demerit Points for Speeding
Speeding remains a leading cause of road fatalities, and the 2025 reforms introduce sharper penalties to deter it. In New South Wales, fines for exceeding the speed limit by 10–20 km/h will jump from $409 to $580, while speeding by more than 30 km/h could result in fines up to $1,600 and immediate license suspension. Queensland’s fines will rise by 3.5%, with low-level speeding (less than 11 km/h over the limit) costing $333, up $11.
More severe violations, such as speeding over 40 km/h above the limit, may attract fines up to $1,918 in some states. School zones and roadwork areas will see even higher penalties, with police prioritizing enforcement in these high-risk zones.
New South Wales is trialing average speed cameras for all vehicles, not just heavy trucks, starting May 1, 2025. During the trial, drivers caught speeding up to 30 km/h over the limit will receive warnings, but from July 1, these offenses will incur fines and demerit points. Point-to-point speed cameras, which calculate average speed over a distance, are also being rolled out nationwide to ensure compliance.
Seatbelt and Child Restraint Violations
Failure to wear a seatbelt or properly secure a child in an appropriate restraint will face harsher consequences. Not wearing a seatbelt will now attract fines of $600 and up to six demerit points across most states. In Victoria and Queensland, failing to secure a child correctly could cost up to $1,000 and trigger a license review, particularly for rideshare and taxi drivers, who face random compliance checks starting mid-July.
These measures address rising incidents of injuries due to non-compliance, with Queensland’s State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) reporting $51 million in unpaid seatbelt fines as of December 2024.
Demerit Point System Overhaul
The demerit point system is also being tightened to promote accountability. Fully licensed drivers will now face suspension after accumulating 10 points in a 12-month period, down from 13. Provisional and learner drivers face stricter thresholds, with license suspension possible after just five points in New South Wales.
High-risk offenses, such as mobile phone use, speeding over 20 km/h, or seatbelt violations, carry double demerit points for repeat offenses within 12 months in Queensland. This change aims to curb reckless behavior, particularly among younger drivers, who are statistically more prone to crashes.
Advanced Driver-Assist Technology Regulations
With modern vehicles increasingly equipped with advanced driver-assist systems like Tesla’s Autopilot, new laws mandate that these technologies must not encourage inattentive driving. Misuse, such as sleeping or not touching the wheel, will attract fines starting at $1,200 and immediate suspension under high-risk behavior rules.
The Transport Safety Tech Code 2025, issued by the National Transport Commission, ensures commercial drivers’ fleet-management systems comply with these standards. From mid-2025, all new cars sold in Australia must have Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology, using GPS and camera data to enforce speed limits, aligning with European standards.
Other Notable Changes
Several additional reforms aim to enhance safety for all road users:
-
Cyclist Passing Laws: Drivers must maintain a 1.5-meter clearance when overtaking cyclists in speed zones over 60 km/h, with fines up to $450 for non-compliance.
-
School Zone Extensions: Many areas will extend school zone hours, increasing fines for speeding or other violations during these times.
-
E-Scooter Regulations: States like South Australia are formalizing rules for e-scooters, with fines up to $450 for misuse on public roads.
-
Emergency Vehicle Rules: In Victoria, drivers must slow to 40 km/h when passing stationary or slow-moving emergency vehicles with flashing lights, with fines up to $961 for non-compliance.
-
Drink and Drug Driving: South Australia will impose up to six months’ imprisonment for drink or drug driving with a child in the vehicle, a significant shift from fines and demerit points alone.
Enforcement and Technology
To support these changes, law enforcement is deploying advanced tools like real-time number plate recognition and AI-driven surveillance to catch unregistered vehicles, suspended licenses, and high-risk behaviors. Queensland’s new roadwork speed cameras have already fined over 1,500 drivers since May 2025.
The National Transport Commission is collaborating with tech firms to integrate offender tracking systems by September 2025, ensuring consistent enforcement nationwide. Victoria Police will also introduce instant ePIN fines via text and email from June 2025, streamlining infringement notices.
Financial and Safety Impacts
Queensland’s fine increases are projected to generate $912 million in revenue by 2025–26, up from $794 million in 2024–25, though unpaid fines remain a challenge, with over $300 million in speeding fines and $110 million in mobile phone fines outstanding as of December 2024.
While revenue is significant, authorities emphasize that the primary goal is accident prevention. A SPER spokesperson noted, “Speeding, failing to wear seatbelts, and distracted driving are all avoidable contributors to lives lost on our roads.”
Staying Compliant
To avoid penalties, drivers should:
-
Review local transport authority websites for state-specific updates.
-
Attend awareness sessions or webinars starting in May 2025.
-
Ensure vehicles meet safety standards, particularly for seatbelts and child restraints.
-
Use hands-free devices and comply with speed limits, especially in school zones.
Australia’s 2025 traffic reforms mark a decisive shift toward stricter enforcement and safer roads. By staying informed and adapting to these changes, drivers can avoid costly fines and contribute to a safer driving environment for all.