Double demerit points are now in force for the Australia Day long weekend across several Australian jurisdictions, with authorities warning motorists to expect highly visible enforcement on busy roads.
The Monday, January 26 public holiday triggers double demerits in New South Wales (NSW), Western Australia (WA) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) from and including Friday, January 23, running until 11:59 pm on Monday, January 26.
With thousands of Australians expected to travel over the long weekend, police say the tougher penalties are aimed at reducing risky driving behaviours during a period traditionally associated with increased traffic volumes and higher crash risk.
“This long weekend, police will be out in force to keep people safe on our roads. Double demerits are in place, and enforcement will be highly visible. Speeding, drink or drug driving, using your phone or not wearing a seatbelt are choices that can cost lives. If you’re travelling this long weekend, plan ahead, be patient, drive to the conditions and don’t drive fatigued.
“The goal of this operation is simple. We want everyone to get where they’re going safely and return home to their loved ones, said NSW Acting Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Paul Scully.”
Where do double demerits apply this Australia Day?
Only three jurisdictions apply double demerit points during designated holiday periods, while others rely on standard penalties and targeted enforcement operations.
Double demerit rules by state and territory
| State or Territory | Are double demerit points applicable here? |
| New South Wales | Yes |
| Victoria | No |
| Queensland | Yes |
| Western Australia | Yes |
| South Australia | No |
| Tasmania | No |
| Australian Capital Territory | Yes |
| Northern Territory | No |
*Queensland applies higher penalties year-round for certain offences, rather than holiday-specific double demerits.
Which offences attract double demerit points?
The offences covered vary slightly by jurisdiction.
- New South Wales and ACT:
Double demerits apply to speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, and failing to wear a seatbelt. - Western Australia:
In addition to speeding, mobile phone and seatbelt offences, double demerits also apply for drink or drug driving, running a red light, and driving in a manner intended to evade speed camera detection, including the use of a radar detector. - Queensland:
Queensland does not enforce holiday-specific double demerits. Instead, higher penalties apply year-round for offences such as excessive speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet breaches, and repeat offences within 12 months. - Everywhere else:
Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory do not apply double demerit points at any time.
Victoria ramps up enforcement despite no double demerits
While Victoria will not enforce double demerit points over the Australia Day long weekend, Victoria Police has announced Operation Amity, which will run from 12:01 am Friday, January 23, to 11:59 pm Monday, January 26.
“Speeding drivers will be a major focus for police during the operation, with excessive or inappropriate speed the highest contributing factor in fatal collisions in 2025, contributing to at least 30 per cent of fatalities,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
During the 15-day Christmas and New Year period, police detected 6820 speeding offences, with around 75 per cent of drivers travelling between 10km/h and 25km/h over the speed limit.
Victoria also trialled new ‘smart enforcement traffic cameras’ in parts of Melbourne in 2025, capable of detecting average speed, red-light running, bus lane use, seatbelt offences and illegal mobile phone use from a single unit.
Road toll continues to rise
Despite record numbers of traffic cameras and increasing enforcement activity nationwide, Australia’s road toll continues to climb.
In 2025, 1314 people were killed on Australian roads, a 1.7 per cent increase year-on-year.
- NSW recorded the highest number of fatalities with 355 deaths, up 8.6 per cent
- Queensland followed with 308 deaths, up 2.0 per cent
- Victoria recorded 290 deaths, up 2.1 per cent
With enforcement stepped up and penalties doubled in some states, authorities are urging motorists to slow down, avoid distractions and make safe choices behind the wheel to ensure everyone gets home safely this Australia Day long weekend.
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