E-bike laws in Australia, state by state

What counts as a legal e-bike

Australian law recognises two kinds of electric bicycle. A power-assisted pedal cycle has a motor of no more than 200 W. An EPAC (electrically power-assisted cycle) has a motor of up to 250 W continuous power that only helps while you pedal and cuts out at 25 km/h. The European standard for EPACs is EN 15194.

Since 24 December 2025, e-bikes can only be imported without road vehicle approval if they meet EN 15194. But importing is a federal matter, and where you can ride is up to each state. The Department of Infrastructure puts it plainly: even if your e-bike meets import rules, you still need to follow the laws where you ride.

Two points apply almost everywhere. A bike whose hardware exceeds the limits is illegal even if an app or switch restricts it. And a bike outside the limits is not a bicycle at all in law: it is an unregistered, uninsured motor vehicle, which is where the big fines come from.

State by state at a glance

Helmets are compulsory in every state and territory, except that riders over 17 in the Northern Territory need one only on the road.

New South Wales

• Legal e-bikes: since 27 March 2026 an e-bike must meet EN 15194. Until the end of 28 February 2029 two older kinds also stay legal: bikes that meet the national power-assisted pedal cycle definition, and bikes of up to 500 W continuous power that stop assisting at 25 km/h. From 1 March 2029 only EN 15194 e-bikes are legal.
• Throttles: a throttle-only function must cut out at 6 km/h. Transport for NSW says a bike that exceeds any limit is illegal even if its power or speed is restricted by an app, switch or code.
• Where to ride: roads, bike lanes, shared paths and bicycle paths unless signed otherwise. Footpaths only for riders under 16 and adults riding with them. There is no special e-bike speed limit on shared paths, but you must give way to pedestrians.
• Age, licence and helmets: no minimum age yet (the government has said one is coming) and no licence, registration or insurance. Helmets are compulsory, and passengers only on bikes built to carry them.
• Illegal e-bikes: since 21 August 2026 police can seize and crush illegal e-bikes, and a seized bike is not returned if the owner or a member of their immediate family rode it in public. Riding one can also bring fines of $818 for an unregistered vehicle plus $818 for an uninsured one.
• Buying: since 1 February 2026, e-bikes, batteries and chargers sold by a business in NSW must be certified and carry a safety approval mark, and every e-bike for sale must be tagged as EN 15194 compliant or not compliant.

Victoria

• Legal e-bikes: two kinds. An EPAC of up to 250 W continuous power that assists only while you pedal, stops at 25 km/h and has a throttle only up to 6 km/h; or a power-assisted pedal cycle of up to 200 W, which may have a throttle. EN 15194 is recommended rather than required.
• Where to ride: roads, bike lanes and shared paths. Footpaths only for riders under 13, and riders 13 or older supervising a child under 13.
• Age, licence and helmets: no minimum age, no licence and no registration. Helmets are compulsory.
• Illegal e-bikes: a bike outside those limits is treated as an unregistered motor vehicle, and Transport Victoria says fines of over $1,000 apply. Switches that override the limits are banned, and converted e-bikes are not allowed on trains.

Queensland

• Legal e-bikes: since 1 July 2026 an e-bike must have no more than 250 W continuous power, assist only up to 25 km/h, have a throttle only up to 6 km/h, and meet EN 15194 with a permanent compliance label. Aftermarket conversion kits make a bike illegal.
• Older bikes: a bike made before 1 July 2026 without EN 15194 or a label can be ridden until 28 February 2027 if it is 250 W or less with assistance to 25 km/h. From 1 March 2027 it needs a verification label, under a scheme proposed to start in November 2026.
• Age and licence: since 31 August 2026 you must be 16 or older and hold a driver licence (at least a learner licence) to ride an e-bike. Exemptions cover 12 to 17-year-olds riding with a parent, grandparent, guardian or carer; designated rail trails, mountain bike trails and bike parks; and people 16 or older with a medical or disability certificate. From 30 November 2026, unlicensed riders need a medical or disability exemption.
• Where to ride: roads and most paths unless signed. On footpaths the limit is 12 km/h; on shared paths keep to the signed limit and slow to 12 km/h when passing pedestrians.
• Helmets and alcohol: helmets are compulsory, passengers only on bikes built for them, and the 0.05 blood alcohol limit applies.
• Illegal e-bikes: police can seize and destroy illegal devices, and parents can be fined. Fixed fines of $518 apply for riding without a licence or exemption, a parent letting a child under 16 ride, passing pedestrians above 12 km/h, and not wearing a helmet.

Western Australia

• Legal e-bikes: a pedalec meeting EN 15194, of up to 250 W, that stops assisting at 25 km/h; otherwise a bike with a motor of up to 200 W. WA says an e-bike is not meant to be ridden using the motor alone.
• Where to ride: any road except freeways, and any path unless a sign or marking says no bicycles, at any age. Slow to 10 km/h or less at pedestrian crossings.
• Age: a rider under 16 must not ride a power-assisted pedal cycle with the power assistance switched on.
• Helmets: compulsory, with a $50 fine.
• Illegal e-bikes: a non-compliant e-bike is treated as an unlicensed motor vehicle, may be seized and disposed of by police, and can bring a $500 fine.

South Australia

• Legal e-bikes: a power-assisted pedal cycle of up to 200 W (under 50 kg, with an adjustable seat) or a 250 W EPAC that stops assisting at 25 km/h. A 200 W bike must be pedalled; an EPAC's motor may work without pedalling only up to 6 km/h. Bikes with a petrol engine are not legal e-bikes.
• Where to ride: roads, bike lanes, shared paths and footpaths, at any age.
• Age, licence and helmets: no minimum age, and no licence, registration or compulsory third-party insurance. Helmets are required.
• Illegal e-bikes: riding one can mean offences for riding unlicensed and for an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle, with court fines of up to $7,500 and $10,000.
• Coming: a review that closed on 16 August 2026 considered requiring EN 15194, a minimum age, footpath speed limits and police powers to seize and destroy illegal e-bikes. No decisions have been announced.

Tasmania

• Legal e-bikes: a bike of up to 200 W, which may have a throttle, or a 250 W EPAC that stops assisting at 25 km/h and can run without pedalling only up to 6 km/h. Since 1 July 2024, petrol-powered bicycles are treated like motorcycles.
• Where to ride: roads, bike lanes and footpaths unless signed otherwise, at any age.
• Licence and helmets: a legal e-bike needs no registration and its rider needs no licence. An approved helmet, securely fastened, is compulsory. We found no minimum age.
• Illegal e-bikes: e-bikes that do not meet the requirements must not be used on public roads.
• Coming: a review of Tasmania's e-bike rules is still with the government. It has said there is no proposal to make a currently legal e-bike illegal.

Australian Capital Territory

• Legal e-bikes: a power-assisted pedal cycle of up to 200 W (under 50 kg, with an adjustable seat), which must be pedalled at any speed, or an EPAC of up to 250 W, which must be pedalled above 6 km/h and stops assisting at 25 km/h. A bike with an engine is not a legal e-bike.
• Where to ride: roads, on-road bike lanes, shared paths and footpaths, at any age. Keep left, give way to pedestrians, and slow to 10 km/h or less at pedestrian crossings.
• Licence and helmets: a legal e-bike has the same rights as a bicycle, with no licence or registration. Helmets are compulsory at all times, with a $218 fine. The road rules set no minimum age.
• Illegal e-bikes: a non-compliant bike may be classed as a motor vehicle; if it cannot be registered it may only be used on private property. Using an unregistered vehicle is a $750 on-the-spot fine.

Northern Territory

• Legal e-bikes: an EPAC meeting EN 15194 (250 W, assisting up to 25 km/h) or a 200 W power-assisted bicycle. Legal e-bikes follow the rules for bicycles and need no registration.
• Where to ride: roads, paths and footpaths, at any age, unless "No Bicycles" signs are displayed.
• Helmets: the NT is the exception. Riders over 17 do not have to wear a helmet in a public place or on a footpath, only on the road. Riders under 17 must, with a $25 fine.
• Illegal e-bikes: a non-compliant bike is a non-complying motor vehicle, and its rider can face fines for unregistered, uninsured or unlicensed driving, demerit points and licence cancellation.

Common e-bike myths

• "Throttles are banned everywhere." Victoria and Tasmania allow 200 W bikes with a throttle. On a 250 W pedal-assist bike, a throttle may only work up to 6 km/h.
• "NSW is 250 W now." EN 15194 bikes are required, but older 500 W bikes that stop assisting at 25 km/h stay legal until the end of 28 February 2029.
• "NSW shared paths have a 10 km/h e-bike limit." They do not. Riders must give way to pedestrians; 10 km/h is the limit in shared zones.
• "Queensland has banned under-16s." Riders aged 12 to 17 may ride with a parent, grandparent, guardian or carer, and anyone may ride on designated trails and in bike parks.
• "It is legal because the app limits it." NSW, Queensland and Victoria all say a bike whose motor exceeds the limits is illegal, whatever its software says.
• "EN 15194 is now the national law." It is the rule for importing e-bikes. Where and how you can ride is set by each state, and several still allow 200 W bikes.

Buying an e-bike that will stay legal

• Look for EN 15194 on the bike's label or paperwork. It is now required in NSW and Queensland, and the national direction of travel.
• Be wary of bikes sold with "unlocked", "off-road" or "private property" modes, throttles that work above 6 km/h, or motors above 250 W. They are the bikes being seized.
• Do not fit a conversion kit to a bike you plan to ride on roads or paths.
• Buying used? Our used bike checklist covers what to check on a second-hand e-bike, and e-bike battery safety covers batteries and chargers.
• More change is coming. The federal government has directed the ACCC to develop a national safety standard for e-bikes sold here, a national e-mobility framework is due to transport ministers before the end of 2026, and South Australia and Tasmania are reviewing their rules. We will update this guide as rules change.

Common questions