Every new Australian road rule and fine taking effect from July 1

Australia’s various states and territories are implementing a suite of new road rules and increased fines as part of the new financial year, including the end of ticketless parking in NSW.

Car parked by side of road checking speed with camera in back of car

The new financial year is upon us, which inevitably means new rules.

As the nation collectively turns over its calendar to July 1, here is a rundown of what each Australian state and territory is changing in terms of road rules, fines and adjustments with the new financial year.

Respective governments have justified the adjustments following the worst road toll figures in 15 years, as well as changes to the Consumer Price Index, or CPI.

New South Wales

Fines increase with CPI

Beginning with the Premier state, all penalties, fees and charges in NSW have increased by 3.2 per cent from July 1 to reflect the CPI.

It means if you’re caught illegally using your mobile phone while driving, the fine has just jumped from $410 to $423.

Average speed cameras now enforced for all speeding offences

As we’ve previously reported, NSW has begun enforcing fines and demerit points penalties for light cars and motorcycles along two stretches of road using average speed cameras, following a trial period.

Ticketless parking fines removed

Elsewhere, the government has done away with ticketless parking fines, deeming the practice “unfair”. From July 1, there’ll be a more transparent system back in place, with councils now required to issue on-the-spot fines or notifications by leaving an infringement on the vehicle, to avoid penalty notices turning up in the mail weeks after an incident. Council officers must also take photos of said offences and make them available to those picking up the bill.

“The NRMA welcomes the end to ticketless parking fines in NSW and commends the NSW Government for listening to motorists and making this commonsense reform,” says NRMA spokesman, Peter Khoury. “Transparency matters. People deserve to know when and why they’re being fined—and to have a fair chance to challenge it if needed.”

Toll increases

Predictably, there are also toll increases on some of Sydney's motorways from July 1, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, M7, M2, M5 South West, NorthConnex, Lane Cove Tunnel, Eastern Distributor and the Cross City Tunnel.

Queensland

Queensland has reduced speed limits from 50km/h to 40km/h in some busy areas in a bid to address an alarming spike in vulnerable road user deaths.

The sunshine state has also increased fines and car registration by 3.4 per cent on July 1.

Although the increases are incremental, they compound what are some pretty hefty fines. For instance, if you’re caught illegally using your mobile phone behind the wheel, the fine has increased to $1250 (from $1209).

Victoria

Victorian drivers are now required to slow down to 40km/h while passing some roadside vehicles from July 1, or face fines up to $961. These vehicles are listed as assistance vehicles, tow trucks, and emergency incident response vehicles that are flashing lights or sounding their alarm on any roads.

South Australia

Like Victoria, South Australian has introduced rules requiring motorists to slow down when passing stationary roadside emergency, breakdown and assistance vehicles flashing their lights on multilane roads – but the speed limit is even more stringent.

Motorists in SA are required to slow down to 25km/h while passing said stationary vehicles, and if they don’t the penalty now extends up to $1895 and up to nine demerit points.

Western Australia

In its own attempt to curb the huge spike in vulnerable road user deaths, hundreds of high pedestrian area roads across WA have had their speed limits reduced to 40km/h – down from 50km/h or 60km/h.

The western state is also slogging motorists bigger fines for illegal phone use behind the wheel, with fines climbing to $700.

Extreme cases of speeding are also in the spotlight, with fines climbing up to $1600.

Northern Territory

The NT has rolled out new speed limits on several stretches of road.

On the Stuart Highway, the section of road which passes the Emerald Springs Roadhouse will increase from 80km/h to 100km/h, while a new speed limit of 80km/h will be implemented between Chung Wah Terrace and Wickham Point Road.

Separately, the stretch of bitumen between Wickham Point Road and Channel Island Bridge has changed to 90km/h.