Among laws, the fastest ruling to issue heavy penalties to motorists is under the new camera surveillance. Australia had a busy first week under new regulations, and the new line of enforcement advanced penalties to $41,000. In severe cases, the week had contracts of $41,410. With some drivers excessively passing 80 km/h posted speed limits by 30 km/h. Most of the 246 cases had a speed of 80 km/h limits and after enforcement regulations the aim is to alter the culture around speeding, by enforcing a change of thinking to the motorists, giving no room for defenses to break the law.
Important Changes to the Rules Beginning in 2025
Speed tolerance for all automated camera enforcement has been reduced and fines can now be issued for speeding over the limit by 4 kilometers per hour. The fines also become a lot harsher, minor speeding fines (1-10 k/h over the limit) now cause fines of $300 to $350 and for over 20 k/h over the limit, the penalties become much worse, including over 6 demerit points, possible suspension of the license, and all the fines that would come on top of that. Repeat offenders will be tracked and monitored digitally, ensuring the punishments will follow the driver and even the driver’s car will be tracked if they cross state borders.
Improvements to Road Cameras
Australia’s road cameras will have advanced technology in 2025 as in the cameras will have the ability to spot if a car is exceeding the limit, if the driver is on the phone, and if the driver is wearing a seatbelt at the time. The cameras will be able to monitor and cross scan different lanes and different classes of vehicles. The cameras will define the vehicles and scan for license plates and issue a ticket on the spot. There has been a growth in the use of unmarked roadside cameras, proving that enforcement is less predictable and there will be less marked roadside checks.
Demerit Points and Double Penalties
Drivers should be careful since the penalties for violations are harsher than they used to be. All penalties have associated demerit points, and double demerit points are in effect for the holidays and other specified high-risk times. As an example, answering a mobile phone while driving (without hands-free) will incur not only a high penalty of up to $1,250 (in Queensland) but also several points on a driver’s license, which may lead to suspension if multiple infractions occur.
Public Reaction and Compliance Tips
Responses have been varied. Road safety proponents point to a nearly 70 percent reduction in the detected speed of vehicles within the first weeks of the new cameras as evidence of the new enforcement’s success. Others, particularly for-hire drivers and the elderly, are bothered particularly because the lower tolerance seems to punish fairly benign errors. Behavior modification associated with the new risk the cameras present has been the focus of several campaigns in Australia.
Short Table of Key Fine Data
| Offense | Fine Amount (AUD) | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1–10 km/h over limit | $300–350 | 1–2 |
| 11–20 km/h over limit | $500+ | 3–4 |
| 20+ km/h over limit | $700–1,200+ | 6+ |
| Mobile phone while driving | $423–$1,250 | 3–5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can a license be suspended after multiple speed camera fines?
Yes, if you receive multiple fines for the reduction of speed, your license can be suspended due to the collection of several demerit points, particularly during the double demerit time period.
Q2: Are tourists and rental drivers also fined?
Yes, they are fined, and it can be a lot of money to enforce it for overseas drivers. Rental agreements are used to record fines, which can be enforced for overseas drivers.
Q3: Are all speed cameras now hidden or AI-equipped?
You are right. Most new speed cameras are AI-powered and many are unmarked. This makes enforcement almost continuous and unpredictable.
