Motorcycle helmets and licences in Australia (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: Motorcycle rules and licensing in Australia are set by each state and territory. No national rule is given here; the individual jurisdictions have not yet been checked.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Helmet required for the riderRiding a motorcycle; Motorcycle | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Helmet required for a passengerRiding a motorcycle; Motorcycle | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum age, category A1 (light motorcycle)Riding a motorcycle; Category A1 (light motorcycle) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum age, category A2Riding a motorcycle; Category A2 (medium motorcycle) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum age, category A (direct access)Riding a motorcycle; Category A (unrestricted motorcycle) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum age, category A (after two years on A2)Riding a motorcycle; Category A (unrestricted motorcycle) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Dipped beam or daytime running light required by dayRiding a motorcycle; Motorcycle | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- Road rules and driver licensing are state and territory law. The Australian Road Rules are a model that each jurisdiction adopts, with variations, but no official source confirming the helmet rule in every jurisdiction could be read, so no national value is given.
- Motorcycle licensing in Australia is graduated and run by each state and territory, and does not use the European A1, A2 and A categories. No national figure is given.
Related pages
Australia: rules by state or province
| Country | Helmet required for the rider | Helmet required for a passenger | Minimum age, category A1 (light motorcycle) | Minimum age, category A2 | Minimum age, category A (direct access) | Dipped beam or daytime running light required by day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Category A1 (light motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A2 (medium motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A (unrestricted motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Victoria | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Category A1 (light motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A2 (medium motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A (unrestricted motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Queensland | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Category A1 (light motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A2 (medium motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A (unrestricted motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Western Australia | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Category A1 (light motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A2 (medium motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A (unrestricted motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: ⚠ Not yet verified |
| South Australia | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Category A1 (light motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A2 (medium motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A (unrestricted motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Australian Capital Territory | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Category A1 (light motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A2 (medium motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A (unrestricted motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Northern Territory | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: Yes | Riding a motorcycle, Category A1 (light motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A2 (medium motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Category A (unrestricted motorcycle): ⚠ Not yet verified | Riding a motorcycle, Motorcycle: ⚠ Not yet verified |
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.