Thousands of Australian drivers will take to the roads over the Christmas and New Year holidays at a time of increased traffic, stress and heightened awareness of road safety.
New South Wales, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory are the only jurisdictions to impose double penalty points during certain periods, while Queensland applies “double penalty points” for certain traffic offenses throughout the year.
In NSW and the ACT, double faults will be enforced from 12:01am on Wednesday 24 December 2025 until 11:59 pm on Sunday 4 January 2026.
The enforcement period for Western Australia runs from 12:01 a.m. Friday 19 December 2025 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday 4 January 2026.
Drivers from these three jurisdictions will face double penalties regardless of where they drive. This means that you cannot escape increased penalties when driving on the highway.
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| 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 |
Which crimes result in double demerit points?
New South Wales: In NSW there are double penalty points for speeding, illegal cell phone use, not wearing a seat belt and riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Australian Capital Territory: As in NSW, drivers face double penalty points for speeding, illegal cell phone use, not wearing a seatbelt and riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
The ACT also applies an additional single demerit point to all other traffic offenses during the double offense period.
Western Australia: There are double penalty points for speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, running a red light, not wearing a seat belt or child restraint system, and illegal use of cell phones while driving.
Driving a vehicle equipped with a radar detector or driving in a manner designed to avoid detecting the speed camera will result in a penalty of 14 points during double the penalty period.
Queensland: While Queensland does not enforce double penalties on public holidays, higher penalties are imposed for certain offenses throughout the year.
These include exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 km/h, cell phone violations, driver seat belt violations, motorcycle helmet violations, and failure to ensure that passengers under the age of 16 are properly restrained.
Double offenses only apply if the same type of offense is committed within 12 months and the second offense carries double points.
Everywhere else: Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory Do not force double demerit points at any time of the year.
