Major road rule changes across Australia from July 1

From July 1, 2025, Australian drivers will face an array of new or updated road rules and increased penalties as part of a nationwide push to improve road safety and reduce the growing road accident toll. 

Here’s a breakdown of what’s coming—and what you need to watch out for.

Nationwide: AI surveillance for phone use crackdown

Get ready for AI-powered mobile detection cameras rolling out across multiple states. These high-tech systems can detect drivers holding or touching a mobile phone, even while stationary at red lights.

• Fines can reach up to $1209 and five demerit points.
• Repeat offenders risk having their licence suspended.
• This marks a major escalation in distracted driving enforcement, backed by automated, 24/7 surveillance.

Victoria

Victoria is expanding Road Rule 79A, requiring drivers to slow to 40 km/h when passing:

• Roadside assistance vehicles
• Tow trucks
• Emergency incident units

This applies when flashing lights are active and workers are visibly present, across all roads, including freeways.

• Fines: Up to $961, with no demerit points.
• There’s also increasing momentum for 30 km/h limits in school and high-pedestrian zones, though these are not yet in effect.

New South Wales

NSW will become the first state to switch on average speed cameras for light vehicles (cars and motorcycles), which were previously only used for heavy vehicles.

• Initial rollout: Hume and Pacific Highways
• A prior grace period ends July 1, with fines now applying.

Other updates include:

• A crackdown on seatbelt use through camera detection.
• The phasing out of ticketless parking fines, after complaints that drivers were being fined without knowing.

Queensland

From July, fines across common offences like speeding, mobile phone use, and seatbelt misuse will increase by 3.5%.

• Speed limits will be lowered from 50 km/h to 40 km/h in busy tourist and residential zones like Hervey Bay Esplanade.
• Enhanced enforcement tech will focus on distracted driving and repeat offenders.

South Australia

SA has expanded its emergency vehicle rule:

• Drivers must slow to 25 km/h when passing stationary roadside assistance vehicles with amber flashing lights—on multi-lane roads only.
• Fine: Up to $1648 and seven demerit points.

Additional changes:

• 40 km/h speed limits are coming to inner-city Adelaide.
• 10 km/h shared pedestrian zones to be introduced in select urban locations.

Western Australia

WA will introduce one of the broadest changes in the country, including:

• Fines of up to $700 for mobile phone use.
• Fines of over $1600 for excessive speeding.
• New AI cameras to enforce phone, seatbelt, and speeding rules.

Other changes:

• A three-year trial will reduce speed limits on over 1800 regional roads, many dropping to 60 km/h.
• Off-road vehicle registrations will move online to streamline admin processes.

With many rules varying by state, motorists are urged to stay informed and check local laws to avoid costly surprises.

Please note: The information in this article has been sourced from reports by Drive and WhichCar.