Trial details – highways, duration and fines
Motorists in New South Wales will soon be subject to average speed camera fines on two major highways. The initiative will see fines introduced in two locations: a 15km stretch of the Pacific Highway between Kew and Port Macquarie and a 16km section of the Hume Highway between Gundagai and Coolac.
Formal notice from the government of New South Wales for the trial.
The state government is set to enforce speed penalties for all vehicles as part of a new road safety trial that will run until June 30, 2026. It will start with a two-month adaptation phase (May-June 2025) with warnings for those exceeding the speed limit by 30km/h or less, but fines will be issued for those going quicker. The full enforcement of fines during this trial is set to commence from July 2025.
| Speeding Offence | Light vehicles – maximum fine | Heavy vehicles – maximum fine | Licence disqualification |
| Not more than 10km/h | $2200 | $2200 | – |
| More than 10km/h but not more than 20km/h | $2200 | $2200 | – |
| More than 20km/h but not more than 30km/h | $2200 | $2200 | – |
| More than 30km/h but not more than 45km/h | $2200 | $2200 | 3 months (minimum) |
| More than 45km/h | $3300 | $5500 | 6 months (minimum) |
Learn more about the Demerit Point System in Australia.
The trial will run until June 30, 2026, after which its effectiveness will be reviewed and reported to Parliament.
What are average speed cameras?
Unlike fixed speed cameras that measure vehicle speeds at a single location, average speed cameras calculate a vehicle’s speed over a set distance. This system is designed to discourage prolonged speeding rather than momentary bursts of excessive speed. It also makes it harder for speedsters to escape penalties by simply slowing down in areas with fixed speed cameras.
Currently, New South Wales has 31 average speed camera zones, but since their introduction in 2010, they have only been used to monitor heavy vehicles.
How do speed cameras work in New South Wales?
Speeding penalties and enforcement
Drivers caught exceeding the speed limit in the trial zones will face the same penalties as those detected by conventional speed cameras. The fines include:
- 31-44km/h over the limit: $1097 fine and five demerit points
- 45km/h or more over the limit: $2959 fine, six demerit points, and immediate six-month licence suspension
The state government has justified the move by citing safety concerns. Between 2018 and 2022, six motorists lost their lives on the two highways where the trial is being implemented.
Additionally, almost 80 per cent of fatalities in existing average speed camera zones occurred in incidents not involving heavy vehicles.
Government and community response
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, emphasised that the trial aims to reduce road trauma, particularly in regional areas where the majority of road deaths occur.
“With the majority of road trauma occurring in our regions, we have chosen two regional locations to test the impact these cameras could have on road safety for all road users,” Aitchison stated.
She added that extensive community awareness efforts would accompany the trial, including print, radio, social media campaigns, mobile billboards, and variable message signs. Additionally, clear warning signs will be installed before the enforcement sites, ensuring motorists are informed.
The NRMA, Australia’s largest motoring club, will also be involved in assessing the trial to ensure driver concerns are considered.
While the impact of this initiative will be assessed in mid-2026, for now, NSW drivers should be prepared for increased speed enforcement on these major highways.
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