In 2025, Australia started implementing new changes to personal mobility regulations. This included the introduction of e-scooters on public roads and shared paths, and the micro-mobility movement in transportation with the use of e-scooters became mainstream. Australia focused on public safety and responsible use of e-scooters.
New National Standards
In mid-2025, most Australian states rolled out new uniform e-scooter rules to allow the use of e-scooters on roads, bike lanes, and shared paths. E-scooters must meet the official regulation of being a personal mobility device (PMD). PMDs must meet the weight, dimension, and safety requirements prescribed by the law. A rider of an e-scooter must be 16, and the e-scooter must be limited to the prescribed legal speed of 20-25 km/h depending on the zone. The speed must be lower on footpath.
Key Safety Requirements
All riders must possess and wear a helmet and must participate in lighted devices and night riding. Pedal powered and self e-scooter devices must meet the requirements of a qualitative safety and warning signal, and, fully refrain riding, on any mode of transportation, under the use of legal intoxicants and drugs.
Variations by State
Even with broad acceptance, there are still some differences between the states.
- New South Wales lets you ride e-scooters on bike lanes, shared paths, and roads with a 50 km/h speed limit, although it is 20 km/h for e-scooters and 10 km/h on shared paths.
- In Victoria, it is permitted to use e-scooters on roads up to 60 km/h, but you can’t ride on footpaths and the speed of the e-scooter has to be 25 km/h. South Australia will start allowing e-scooters on footpaths, bike lanes, and certain local roads, with a speed limit of 10 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h everywhere else, with some device limits in July 2025.
- Similar to Queensland, ACT, Tasmania and Western Australia, there is unique local enforcement and supervision for younger riders.
Table: E-Scooter Law Snapshot
| State | Min Age | Max Speed | Where Legal |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 16 | 20 km/h | Roads ≤50km/h, paths |
| Victoria | 16 | 25 km/h | Roads ≤60km/h, paths |
| S. Australia | 16 | 25 km/h | Roads ≤60km/h, paths |
| QLD / WA | 12-16 | 25 km/h | Roads ≤50km/h, paths |
| ACT / TAS | No Min* | 25 km/h | Shared paths, roads |
Education and Enforcement
The implementation includes safety and compliance educated campaigns and safety reviews through 2026. People will receive on-the-spot fines and loss of demerit points for intoxication, speeding, and disobeying the law. Rental e-scooter companies will have to keep their licenses and local councils will control the parking and storage to limit disorder.
The Future of Urban Mobility
We hope the changes will improve sustainable urban mobility, cut back on congestion, and help provide a low-emission alternative to cars for short-distance trips. Still, authorities say user caution and courtesy toward other road and footpath users remain critical for the reforms to be effective and for the law to ‘bed-in’.
FAQs
1. From 2025 in Australia will e-scooters need to be registered or insured?
In July 2025, and for other states, there are still no registration or compulsory insurance requirements for compliant PMDs.
2. Are e-scooter riders required to wear a helmet?
Yes helmets are required, and for PMDs other than e-scooter.
3. Are e-scooters allowed to be used on any road?
No, e-scooters are only allowed on roads that are 50-60 km/h or less, depending on the state.
