What fines cost where: How traffic offence penalties vary between states

Australian traffic laws vary between states and territories, and so too do the penalties a motorist driving a light vehicle with a full licence will incur for an offence.

For this list, we’ve looked at five of the most common traffic offences – including speeding, drink-driving, mobile phone use, not wearing a seatbelt and running a red light – and how the fines and demerit points (or licence disqualifications) stack up.

How do fines and penalties for speeding vary in Australian states and territories?

Exceeding the posted speed limit is one of the most common traffic law violations, with a 2025 report revealing it was also the most caught-on-camera offence in NSW. 

Fines and penalties across Australia are proportional to exactly how much that posted speed limit was exceeded.

Northern Territory drivers score the most lenient penalty for a minor infringement, while NSW drivers pay the largest fine and Victorian drivers see the longest disqualifications for major infringements. While Western Australia does not have an automatic licence suspension for speeding, exceeding the posted speed limit by 45km/h or more could result in a ‘reckless driving’ charge with severe penalties, including licence disqualification.

Speeding fines, demerit points and penalties by state

How do fines and penalties for drink-driving fines vary between Australian states and territories?

Drink-driving is considered one of the most serious driving offences, with penalties ranging from fines and demerit points to licence disqualification and even jail. However, in some states, a first-time low-range offence can be dealt with by an infringement notice rather than through the courts, meaning it may not result in a criminal conviction.

BAC thresholds also vary. NSW, the ACT and Northern Territory define low-range as 0.05 to under 0.08, mid-range as 0.08 to under 0.15 and high-range as 0.15 or above, while other states use different bands.

Penalties also vary considerably, with Western Australia and South Australia among the jurisdictions where some first-time low-range offences do not automatically result in licence disqualification.

Victoria’s drink-driving laws are among the most complex, with penalties varying according to BAC, licence type and whether it is a first or subsequent offence. Penalties can also be severe, particularly for higher BAC readings and repeat offences.

Licence disqualification periods also vary considerably between jurisdictions, with the length of a driving ban generally increasing with BAC level and previous offences.

Drink-driving fines and penalties by state

* Infringement fine for a fully licensed, first-time offender ** Court imposed fine † Victoria's licence penalty depends on the driver's age and exact BAC, so there is not one universal period applying to every fully licensed first offender.

How do drug-driving fines and penalties vary between Australian states and territories?

Unlike drink-driving, there is generally no nationally consistent concentration limit for driving under the influence of illicit drugs. Roadside drug testing typically targets the presence of specified drugs such as THC, methylamphetamine, MDMA and, in some jurisdictions, cocaine. Penalties vary depending on whether a driver is charged with having a prescribed drug present in their system or the more serious offence of driving while impaired or under the influence.

Drug-driving fines and penalties by state

*Figures are for a first offence failing a roadside drug test for a relevant drug where applicable.  ** Court imposed fine

NSW's treatment of prescribed medicinal cannabis is set to change. Legislation introduced in June 2026 would create a pathway for eligible drivers prescribed THC-containing medicinal cannabis to avoid the automatic drug-presence penalty, provided they register with Transport for NSW, hold a valid prescription and complete required education. Roadside testing would continue and the THC detection threshold would not change.

The NRMA opposes the drug driving laws reform in its current form, arguing that introducing a THC threshold or exemptions without a reliable roadside test of impairment risks weakening road safety protections. Its position is that governments should first establish evidence-based impairment thresholds and technology capable of determining whether a driver is actually impaired, rather than simply whether THC is present.

Victoria has already taken a somewhat different approach to prescribed medicinal cannabis. THC remains illegal to have present while driving, even when legally prescribed, but courts can take a valid medicinal cannabis prescription and other circumstances into account when determining the outcome. This does not change Victoria's separate offence of driving while impaired by drugs.

How do fines and penalties for mobile phone usage vary between Australian states and territories?

Mobile phone operation while driving is a carefully monitored, with the interpretation of safe and allowed usage varying greatly between states.

Despite this, demerit points for the offence do not vary greatly – although in Western Australia, they do depend on exactly how the phone is being used (are you simply touching the phone or are you using it to send a text, for example). This will also determine what fines are meted out in WA and the Northern Territory.

Queenslanders cop the biggest fine for any offence by some margin, and Tasmania’s are lenient by comparison.

On your P-plates or L-plates and not sure when and where you can use a mobile phone? We’ve covered the rules and regulations for each state here.

Fines and demerits for using a mobile phone while driving by state

How do fines and penalties for not wearing a seatbelt vary between Australian states and territories?

Failing to wear a seatbelt and improper seatbelt use can greatly increase the chance of serious injury or death for drivers and passengers.

The states and territories are pretty well aligned on how seriously they take this one, but those in Queensland will be paying the most – more than three times the cash for an offence than Victorian, who pay the least.

Fines and demerits for not using a seatbelt by state

How do fines and penalties for running a red light vary between Australian states and territories?

Running a red light can be the result of a quick decision made poorly, or an attempt to beat the estimated time on the GPS.

Regardless, it’s a dangerous move that can put other road users – both in vehicles and on foot – at risk of serious harm or death.

This is the offence state traffic authorities seem to agree on most, with almost equal demerit points issued across the country.

Tasmanians pay the least and, you guessed it, Queenslanders the most. 

Fines and demerits for running a red light while driving by state

Resources

• https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/demerits-penalties-and-offences/offences/ 
• https://www.vic.gov.au/fine-amounts-and-demerit-points 
• https://transport.vic.gov.au/road-and-active-transport/registration-and-licensing/registration-and-licensing-fees/fines-and-fees 
• https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/fines/demerit/points 
• https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/road-safety/drink-driving/charged 
• https://mylicence.sa.gov.au/roadrules/offences-and-penalties 
• https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/road-safety-commission/ 
• https://www.speedcameras.tas.gov.au/penalties_and_infringements 
• https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/licensing/demerits_and_offences/traffic_offence_list 
• https://nt.gov.au/driving/driving-offences-and-penalties/traffic-offences-and-penalties 
• https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/driving-transport-and-parking/traffic-and-parking/demerit-points-and-suspensions 
• https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/roads-and-paths/road-safety/drink-and-drug-driving