Australia’s road rules are evolving in 2025, with noteworthy updates at both national and state levels aimed at improving safety and reducing road fatalities. These changes cover speed limits, mobile phone usage, seatbelt enforcement, and other critical driving behaviors, alongside new penalty structures. Here is a state-by-state guide to essential 2025 road rule updates every driver should know.
National Changes to Mobile Phone and Seatbelt Laws
From July 1, 2025, AI-powered cameras have been rolled out nationally to detect drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel and identify those not wearing seatbelts. Penalties for mobile phone use while driving have increased significantly, with fines reaching up to $1209 plus four to five demerit points across many states. This enforcement includes drivers stopped at traffic lights or in heavy traffic. The enhanced detection aims to curb distracted driving, a major cause of accidents across Australia.
New South Wales: Increased Penalties and Parking Fines Reform
NSW has boosted all road-related penalties by approximately 3.2 percent from July 2025. This includes fines for mobile phone use, now rising from about $410 to $423. Existing mobile phone detection cameras also identify seatbelt violations. Additionally, NSW has scrapped ticketless parking fines introduced during the pandemic, requiring councils to issue on-the-spot fines or leave notices on vehicles to increase transparency and fairness for drivers.
Queensland: Speed Limit Reductions and Fee Increases
Queensland drivers face a 3.4 percent hike in registration fees and fines from July 2025, as the government ends the previous freeze on such charges. Notably, speed limits in tourist-heavy areas, like Hervey Bay Esplanade, have been lowered from 50 km/h to 40 km/h to enhance pedestrian and driver safety. Increased fines for speed, mobile phone use, and seatbelt breaches accompany these changes, reinforcing Queensland’s commitment to safer road conditions.
South Australia: New Speed Limits Near Breakdown Vehicles and Tougher Drink-Driving Laws
SA introduced a 25 km/h speed limit when passing stationary breakdown service vehicles with flashing amber lights starting May 2025. This law applies to vehicles on multi-lane roads to protect roadside workers. Furthermore, early 2025 saw a bill allowing courts to impose up to six months imprisonment for drink or drug driving offenses where a child is present in the vehicle, marking a significant tightening of penalties compared to past fines and demerit points.
Victoria and Other Key Notes
Victoria has enforced slowing down to 40 km/h near slow or stationary police, emergency, or escort vehicles, broadening protections to tow trucks and incident response units flashing lights or alarms. Riders in Victoria now have the option to reposition within lanes without indicating at low speeds and may remove feet from footrests when stationary or parking, easing motorbike operation while maintaining safety.
What Drivers Need to Know
The 2025 road law updates across Australia reflect a unified commitment to improving driver and pedestrian safety through stricter penalties, innovative AI enforcement, and targeted speed regulations. Drivers should be aware of specific state rules, including fines, speed limits, mobile phone and seatbelt enforcement, and new behavioral requirements near emergency or breakdown vehicles. Staying informed and compliant with these changes will be essential for safer driving and avoiding costly penalties in 2025
