E-bike and e-scooter rules in Australia
Last reviewed 14 Oct 2026 by Grian Myers. This is general information, not legal advice. Check the official sources linked on each page.
An e-bike counts as a bicycle in Australia only if it's a 250 W pedelec whose motor stops helping at 25 km/h (the EN 15194 standard), or a 200 W throttle bike. Anything stronger is a motor vehicle. Private e-scooter rules differ much more by state.
Read the full guide to what counts as an e-bike →
Electric dirt bike or e-moto? Those are motor vehicles, with different rules. Where you can legally ride an e-moto →
Rules by state
- New South WalesIn NSW, e-bikes must be 250 W pedelecs meeting EN 15194, and every e-bike sold since 1 Feb 2026 must be certified.
- VictoriaIn Victoria, private e-scooters have been legal since 4 Oct 2024 at up to 20 km/h, on roads up to 60 km/h but not footpaths.
- QueenslandIn Queensland, devices that can exceed 25 km/h are banned, riders 16+ need a driver licence from 31 Aug 2026, and parents can be fined for under-16s riding illegally..
- South AustraliaIn South Australia, private e-scooters have been legal since July 2025 at 10 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h elsewhere for riders 16+.
- Western AustraliaIn Western Australia, e-bike riders must be 16+ and private e-scooters are legal at 10 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h elsewhere..
- TasmaniaIn Tasmania, private e-scooters are legal at 15 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h elsewhere for riders 16+.
- Australian Capital TerritoryIn the ACT, private e-scooters are legal at 15 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h elsewhere, and under-12s must be supervised.
- Northern TerritoryIn the Northern Territory, private e-scooters are illegal in public; only the shared Beam scheme is allowed, at up to 15 km/h for riders 18+.
Private e-scooters by state
| State | Private e-scooter in public | Speed limits (km/h) | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Illegal (shared trials only; legalisation under review) | 20 road, 10 shared path | 16+ |
| VIC | Legal (permanent since 4 Oct 2024) | 20 | 16+ |
| QLD | Legal | 12 footpath, 25 elsewhere | 16+, licence from 31 Aug 2026 |
| SA | Legal since Jul 2025 | 10 footpath, 25 elsewhere | 16+ |
| WA | Legal | 10 footpath, 25 elsewhere | 16+ |
| TAS | Legal | 15 footpath, 25 elsewhere | 16+ |
| ACT | Legal | 15 footpath, 25 elsewhere | Under-12s supervised |
| NT | Illegal (shared Beam only) | 15 | 18+ |
Shopping? See e-bikes with a stated EN 15194 compliance or compare e-scooters.