Long weekends tend to mean more drivers on road trips, and even with the current fuel crisis, this Easter is likely to be no different.
Even the Prime Minister has urged Aussies to “go about your business and your life as normal” during the long weekend in a national address on Wednesday night.
If you are hitting the road this Easter, here are the double-demerit rules for each state and territory.
Double demerits will apply in NSW from Thursday, 2 April to Monday, 6 April 2026.
Offences attracting double demerits are as follows:
Victoria does not enforce double demerits, but Victoria Police has announced an Easter road safety blitz.
"The operation will see every available resource, from general duties to highway patrol and specialist road policing units, deployed over the five-day statewide blitz," a Victoria Police media release stated.
Double demerits do not apply specifically during holiday periods in QLD, but rather at all times for repeat offenders.
"People who repeatedly commit specific offences will receive double demerit points for the second or subsequent offence if the later offence was committed within 12 months of an earlier offence. This doesn’t just apply during holiday periods, but at any time of the year," the Queensland Government website states.
The offences are:
As in Victoria, SA does not have a double-demerit program for long weekends and holidays. South Australia Police is conducting 'Operation Safe Holidays' from Thursday, 2 April to Monday, 6 April, where police will be targeting speeding and other dangerous driving.
WA drivers will be subjected to double demerit points for certain offences from Thursday, 2 April to Monday, 6 April.
The offences are:
Tasmania does not have a double-demerit program, but, like Victoria and SA, there will be a heavy police presence on the roads during the Easter long weekend.
From Thursday, April 2 to Tuesday, April 7, Tasmania Police will run 'Operation Safe Arrival', which "will feature high-visibility roadside activities, mobile patrols and covert policing on Tasmania’s highways, main roads, rural routes and back streets" according to a media statement.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has the same double-demerit program as NSW.
There are no double demerits in the NT, but the Northern Territory Police Force has announced an Easter safety blitz on its social media accounts. "Easter is a busy time on our roads and it’s up to all of us to make good choices and stay safe."
"This long weekend, NT Police will be out in full force, with an increased presence, targeting the Fatal Five to help keep Territorians safe," an NT Police Force Instagram post read.
The 'Fatal Five' were listed as follows:
Jemimah is Drive's Consumer Editor. She has more than a decade of editorial experience and has previously worked in property and lifestyle journalism for Domain, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and REA Group, among many other publications.
