The rules for riding a legal eBike (EPAC) vary across Australian jurisdictions. Here's the complete comparison — national standard first, then where each state diverges.
Unlike generic national eBike guides, this page tracks the actual differences between every state — including Queensland's major 2026 rule changes, now rolling out.
Most states and territories align with the international EPAC standard (EN 15194). These rules apply in every jurisdiction:
The motor's maximum continuous rated power must not exceed 250 watts. A bike exceeding this is legally a motorbike, requiring registration and a licence to ride.
Motor assistance must cut out automatically once you reach 25 km/h. Above that you're pedalling under your own power. No assisted speed higher than 25 km/h is legal on any public road or path.
Wearing an approved bicycle helmet is mandatory for eBike riders in every state and territory. No exceptions. Riding without one is a fineable offence in every jurisdiction.
Throttle-only operation (motor running without pedalling) is limited to walk-assist speeds — ≤ 6 km/h — in most states. A bike that runs throttle-only at higher speeds is not an eBike in law.
A compliant EPAC does not require registration or a licence to ride in most of Australia. Queensland is the exception from 31 August 2026 — see the table below.
Every eBike ridden on a public road or path must have a working bell or other audible warning device. This is consistent across all jurisdictions.
Queensland is making the most significant eBike regulation changes nationally, in two stages:
Most rules are consistent nationally. Where a state differs, the cell is highlighted in amber.
| Rule | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | TAS | NT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max motor power | 250 W Legacy 500 W bikes legal until 1 Mar 2029 | 250 W (EPAC) or 200 W (throttle PAC) | 250 W | 250 W (EPAC) or 200 W (throttle PAC) | 250 W | 250 W (EPAC) or 200 W (throttle PAC) | 250 W | 200 W Under ARR; 250 W EPAC de facto accepted on road |
| Motor cut-out speed | 25 km/h | 25 km/h | 25 km/h | 25 km/h | 25 km/h | 25 km/h | 25 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Throttle allowed? | Walk-assist only ≤ 6 km/h | Walk-assist ≤ 6 km/h (EPAC); throttle-only PAC (≤ 200 W) permitted | Walk-assist only ≤ 6 km/h | Walk-assist ≤ 6 km/h (EPAC); throttle-only PAC (≤ 200 W) permitted | Walk-assist only ≤ 6 km/h | Walk-assist ≤ 6 km/h (EPAC); throttle-only PAC (≤ 200 W) permitted | Walk-assist only ≤ 6 km/h | Walk-assist only ≤ 6 km/h |
| Footpath access | Under 16 only Adults may accompany a child riding | Under 12/13 only Adults may accompany; disability exemption | All ages (12 km/h cap) 12 km/h footpath cap in force since 1 Jul 2026. From 31 Aug 2026: under-16s banned from public roads and paths (supervised 12–17 exemption being finalised) | All ages — give way to pedestrians | All ages — give way to pedestrians | All ages | All ages | All ages — give way to pedestrians |
| Minimum age to ride | None currently Age minimum (12–16) expected by end 2026 | No minimum | No minimum for EPACs From 31 Aug 2026: minimum age 16 on public roads/paths (supervised 12–17 exemption being finalised) | No minimum | No minimum | No minimum | No minimum | No minimum |
| Helmet mandatory? | Yes — all riders | Yes — all riders | Yes — all riders | Yes — all riders | Yes — all riders | Yes — all riders | Yes Under-17: on all surfaces. 17+: roads & bike lanes only (not footpaths) | Yes — all riders |
| Accepted helmet standards | AS/NZS 2063, EN 1078, US CPSC, ASTM F1447, Snell B-95 Most permissive nationally (expanded Jul 2024) | AS/NZS 2063 or equivalent | AS/NZS 2063 or equivalent | AS/NZS 2063 or equivalent | AS/NZS 2063 or equivalent | AS/NZS 2063 only Only state not accepting EN 1078 certification | AS/NZS 2063 or equivalent | AS/NZS 2063:2008 |
| Licence / registration | Not required | Not required | Not required currently From 31 Aug 2026: learner licence required for riders 16+ ($77.55 for 3 years) | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Lights at night | White front + red rear (200 m), red rear reflector | White front + red rear (200 m), red rear reflector | White front + red rear light required | White front + red rear (200 m) | White front + red rear + reflectors | Required | Required at night / low visibility | Required at night |
| Bell / audible warning | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Compliance standard | EN 15194 Required for all new bikes from Mar 2026; road use from Mar 2029 | EN 15194:2017 / AS 15194 | EN 15194 | EN 15194 / AS 15194 | AS EN 15194 | EN 15194 / AS 15194 | EN 15194 / AS 15194 | Pre-dates EN 15194 200 W ARR threshold is the older definition |
NSW and VIC restrict adult footpath riding — NSW to under-16s only, VIC to under-12/13. WA, SA, NT, ACT, and TAS allow all ages on footpaths. QLD currently allows all ages, and a 12 km/h footpath speed cap has applied since 1 July 2026. From 31 August 2026, under-16s are banned from public roads and paths (a supervised 12–17 exemption is being finalised).
From 31 August 2026, riders aged 16+ in Queensland must hold at least a learner licence to ride a legal EPAC on public roads and paths. No other state currently requires this. Cost: $77.55 for 3 years.
The ACT's Australian Road Rules formally define a bicycle as having a motor ≤ 200 W. A 250 W EPAC is de facto accepted on roads and paths, but strictly speaking sits outside the formal definition. A 250 W bike is only explicitly on-road legal in the ACT's nature reserves. This is an active grey area.
TAS is the only state that does not accept European EN 1078 helmet certification. Only AS/NZS 2063 helmets are recognised. If you're riding in Tasmania, check your helmet has the AS/NZS 2063 mark.
In the NT, riders under 17 must wear a helmet on any surface. Riders 17 and older must wear a helmet on roads and bike lanes but not technically on footpaths. This is unique nationally.
NSW was the only state to previously allow 500 W motors. Since 1 March 2026, all new eBike sales must comply with 250 W / EN 15194. Existing 500 W bikes can still be ridden until 1 March 2029, after which all road-legal eBikes must be 250 W.
eBikeSafe covers the national rules that apply across every state, and clearly flags where your state differs. Buy it for your teen (no account needed — the code is emailed to you) or take it yourself.
Information current as at July 2026. Road rules and fine amounts are subject to change — always verify with your state's transport authority before riding. Sources include Transport for NSW, Transport Victoria, Queensland Government, SA.gov.au, WA Road Safety Commission, Transport Tasmania, NT Government, and ACT Climate Choices.
