Thousands of Australian motorists will hit the roads for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays during a period of increased traffic, stress and heightened awareness of road safety.
New South Wales, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory are the only jurisdictions that enforce double demerits during certain periods, while Queensland has year-round ‘double points’ for certain driving offences.
In NSW and the ACT, double demerits will be enforced from 12:01am Wednesday, December 24, 2025, to 11:59pm Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Western Australia’s enforcement period runs from 12:01am Friday, December 19, 2025, through to 11:59pm Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Double demerits apply to motorists from those three jurisdictions no matter where they’re driving, meaning you won’t escape the heightened penalties if you’re interstate.
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| State or territory | Double demerit points? |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | YES |
| Victoria | NO |
| Queensland | YES* |
| Western Australia | YES |
| South Australia | NO |
| Tasmania | NO |
| Australian Capital Territory | YES |
| Northern Territory | NO |
Which offences attract double demerit points?
New South Wales:In NSW, double demerit points apply for speeding, illegal mobile phone use, failing to wear a seatbelt, and riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Australian Capital Territory:As in NSW, motorists face double demerit point penalties for speeding, illegal mobile phone use, failing to wear a seatbelt, and riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
The ACT also applies an additional single demerit point for all other traffic offences during the double demerits period.
Western Australia:Double demerit points apply for speeding, drink- or drug-driving, running a red light, failing to wear a seatbelt or child restraint, and illegal mobile phone use while driving.
Driving a vehicle fitted with a radar detector, or driving in a manner intended to avoid speed camera detection, attracts a 14-point penalty during the double demerit period.
Queensland:While Queensland does not enforce holiday double demerits, it applies higher penalties year-round for certain offences.
These include driving more than 20km/h over the speed limit, mobile phone offences, driver seatbelt offences, motorcycle helmet offences, and failing to ensure passengers under 16 are properly restrained.
Double demerits apply only if the same type of offence is committed within 12 months, with the second offence attracting double points.
Everywhere else:Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory do not enforce double demerit points at any time of the year.