Electric scooters are not always legal, making it tricky for you to know if its the right purchase, especially if you are buying one as a gift. We are here to help, with our guide that tells you if electric scooters are legal in Australia, and the requirements you must meet to legally and safely ride your scooter.
Are Electric Scooters Legal?
Electric scooters are legal in Australia, providing you meet the regulations of your state or territory. Generally, your e-scooter will need to be designed for single use, unable to go faster than 25 km/h, and can only be used on approved roads or paths. To help you figure out what scooter is suitable and where you can use it, we have listed each territory and their specific laws and regulations below. Once you know what scooter is legal in your state, you can check out deals on electric scooters to find your new e-scooter!
E-Scooter Laws New South Wales
In New South Wales, e-scooters are currently allowed in the following locations:
- Albury
- Forster-Tuncurry
- Kogarah
- Wollongong
The scooters must be hired from approved providers and be fitted with front and rear lights, and you should wear reflectors after dark to ensure you are visible to other road users and to keep you safe. A helmet must also be worn, ensuring it fits securely to prevent any head injuries if you fall off.
You have to be sixteen or older to ride an e-scooter and must adhere to speed limits on the roads. You cannot go faster than 10 km/h on shared paths and In New South Wales, you must be at least 16 years or older to ride an e-scooter, and 20 km/h on roads. The use of electric scooters is banned on roads with speed limits above 50 km/h, too.
You cannot use your phone while riding and have a BAC higher than 0.05.
E-Scooter Laws Victoria
Victoria has more relaxed rules about where you can use your e-scooter. They can be ridden on any shared path, bike path, and roads slower than 60 km/h. You can only hire e-scooters from a state-approved provider, and it must not be able to travel faster than 25 km/h.
The scooter must have front and rear lights that can be used in low light or at night and a helmet must be worn at all times. Sixteen year olds and older can ride an e-scooter, providing they do not go faster than 20 km/h on any road.
It is also illegal to use your mobile phone while riding the scooter, and your BAC must not be higher than 0.05.
E-Scooter Laws Queensland
Queensland allows you to ride your electric scooter on several roads. You can use them on:
- Footpaths
- Shared paths
- Bike lanes on roads with a maximum speed of 50 km/h
- Separate bike lanes
- Local streets without dividing lanes and speeds less than 50 km/h
The electric scooter must have at least one wheel, be powered by an electric motor, and should not weigh more than 60 kg without a rider. Your scooter should also be designed for one person and not exceed the dimensions of 70 x 125 x 135 cm. You are also required to wear a helmet that meets Australian safety standards unless you are exempt.
Queensland allows younger riders to use an electric scooter, with 12 to 15-year-olds permitted to ride with adult supervision. Anyone over 16 can also use an e-scooter without adult supervision.
You are limited to 12 km/h speeds on shared paths and footpaths and 25 km/h on bike, separated paths, and local roads. Any roads with speed limits less than 25 km/h should be obeyed, too.
Your phone is not allowed to be in your sight on the scooter, even if it’s turned off, but you can mount it to the scooter handlebar. This allows you to use it as a GPS or speedometer.
E-Scooter Laws Western Australia
In Western Australia, anyone over the age of 16 can use an e-scooter on roads with dividing lines and speeds of 50 km/h or less. You can also ride in bike lanes on roads with 50 km/h or less speeds. The scooter you ride must not exceed speeds of 25 km/h and should only be designed for one person. It should not weigh more than 25 kg, have at least one wheel, and meet the dimensions of 125 x 70 x 135 cm or less.
An Australian standards-approved helmet must be worn, and you cannot hold your mobile phone. You can mount it to your scooter and use it as a driving aid or to answer hands-free calls. The scooter cannot go faster than 10 km/h on footpaths or pedestrian crossings and 25 km/h on bike paths, lanes, local roads, or shared paths.
E-Scooter Laws South Australia
In South Australia, electric scooters are currently only allowed in trial locations. You can only use an e-scooter that is hired from a state-approved provider. You need to wear a helmet, and the scooter must have a flashing or steady front-mounted white light and a rear red reflector or steady light. These lights are to be used in low vision conditions and at night.
You have to be at least 18 to use an e-scooter in South Australia, and you cannot travel faster than 15 km/h. You cannot use your mobile phone, exceed 0.05 BAC or have MDMA, THC, or Methamphetamine in your possession or in your body.
E-Scooter Laws Tasmania
Tasmania allows e-scooters on local roads, bike paths, shared paths, and footpaths without dividing lines, a median strip, or speeds above 50 km/h. You cannot ride your scooter in multiple lanes on one-way streets.
Your scooter must be designed for one person only and cannot travel faster than 25 km/h. It also cannot weigh more than 45 kg, and must meet the dimensions of 25 x 70 x 30 or less. A helmet that meets Australian safety standards must also work, along with a white front light, red back light, and red reflector that should be used when you ride at night.
Tasmania allows anyone under 16 to ride an e-scooter, but it cannot have a motor more powerful than 200 watts and cannot go faster than 10 km/h. This does not apply to anyone over 16. You must not exceed the speed limits regardless of your age, within 15 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h on bike paths, shared paths, and roads.
E-Scooter Laws Australian Capital Territory
In Australian Capital Territory, you can use an electric scooter on footpaths, shared, and bike paths. The scooter must only carry one person, a brake system, at least one wheel, an electric motor, and weigh no more than 60 kg. It must also meet or be less than 125 x 70 x 135.
You must also follow some safety requirements in ACT, wearing a helmet at all times. A warning device and reflectors or lights should be on the scooter or yourself when riding at night or in hazardous weather. Children under twelve can use electric scooters in ACT, but they must be supervised at all times. You must not go faster than 15 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h on bike paths, shared, or separate paths. You cannot use your phone while riding or be under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
E-Scooter Laws Northern Territory
E-scooters can be ridden on shared paths, footpaths, and bike lanes in the Northern Territory. Your scooter must be from Beam Mobility Australia to legally ride it in NT. You will need to be eighteen or older and wear a securely fitted helmet. You also need an electric warning light and lights on the front and rear of your scooter.
Your scooter cannot go faster than 15 km/h and you cannot use your phone at any time while riding the scooter.
Electric Scooters Regulations
While there are many overlapping regulations across Australia, some states have specific regulations that restrict where you can use your scooter and where it can be purchased from. We recommend that you check the regulations carefully before purchasing your scooter and check them again before using your e-scooter in a different territory to where you live.
