Double demerit points now apply in several Australian states and territories for the Easter long weekend.
At midnight on Thursday April 2, five days of double faults began in New South Wales, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
They run over the Easter holidays, including the four consecutive bank holidays from Friday 3rd April to 11.59pm on Monday 6th April.
If you live in one of these three jurisdictions and travel interstate, double penalties will still apply.
Double offenses also apply to certain offenses throughout the year in Queensland, although South Australia, Victoria, the Northern Territory and Tasmania do not have double offense regulations.
With Daily Sparkz you can save thousands on a new car. Click Here to get a great deal.
| State or territory | Double minus points? |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | YES |
| Victoria | NO |
| Queensland | YES* |
| Western Australia | YES |
| South Australia | NO |
| Tasmania | NO |
| Australian Capital Territory | YES |
| Northern Territory | NO |
In NSW and the ACT, double penalty points apply for speeding, illegal mobile phone use, failure to wear a seatbelt and riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
In WA they also apply for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and running a red light.
NSW Police will conduct Operation Easter, with general duties and specialist officers targeting speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt compliance and helmet use by motorcyclists and cyclists.
The number of road deaths in NSW has risen to 88 since the start of the year, which is 11 more than at the same time last year, according to Transport for NSW.
“This Easter we are asking drivers to think about the people who matter most to them, slow down, drive according to conditions and make smart decisions,” said NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley.
“Police will aggressively crack down on illegal, reckless behavior because we all want the same thing: to prevent another avoidable tragedy and ensure our loved ones come home alive.”
Western Australia recorded 45 deaths as of March 31, 2026, compared to 53 at the same time last year.
Washington police will target the Easter long weekend with a new fleet of BMW X5 SUVs, the state government announced this week.
Officers will focus on the “fatal five” causes of traffic trauma: speeding, seat belts, fatigue, distraction and drugs and alcohol.
“As we approach the Easter long weekend and school holidays, I would like to remind all road users to keep themselves and others safe on the road,” said Police and Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby.
“Incorrectly wearing seat belts, distraction from cell phones, speeding, fatigue, and drugs and alcohol are all preventable causes of fatal accidents.”
Adrian Warner, WA’s road safety commissioner, added: “The risk of losing your license should not be the reason for changing your behavior behind the wheel. Instead, the risk of losing your life or killing or injuring someone else, such as a loved one, should be the focus.”
Although there is no double fault system, Victoria Police have begun Operation Nexus, where officers intentionally remain highly visible while they focus on enforcing speed limits.
“We know this is a weekend that attracts a lot of travel across the state, so we’re not going to take any chances – and neither should you,” said Justin Goldsmith, acting deputy commissioner of the Road Policing Command.
“Motorists can expect a large police presence on the state’s roads this weekend and can expect to be tested for alcohol and drugs anywhere, at any time.”
Road tolls in Australia have risen 18.7 per cent in the past 12 months, with the total in 2025 increasing by 1.7 per cent, or 22 more deaths, than the previous year.
The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has criticized the federal government’s road safety strategy after 2025 recorded a fifth consecutive year of increase in road deaths – a trend it says has not been seen since 1952.
