Wondering if you need a licence to ride an e-bike in Australia? Our state-by-state guide breaks down the power limits, helmet laws, and key rules every rider should know, from NSW's changing regulations to Queensland's footpath riding rules.
E-bikes are booming across Australia. Commuters are swapping car keys for handlebars, and weekend riders are discovering that hills aren't so bad after all. But with growing popularity comes a fair bit of confusion around the rules. Do you actually need a licence? Can you ride on footpaths? And what happens if your e-bike is too powerful?
The good news is that for the vast majority of riders, the answer is simple: no licence, no registration, no worries. But there are some important details worth knowing, especially with significant regulatory changes rolling out in 2025 and 2026.
To be treated as a regular bicycle under Australian law, and not a motor vehicle, your e-bike needs to meet specific criteria. The nationally recognised standard is based on the European EN 15194 specification, and your e-bike must tick these boxes:
The motor must be pedal-assist only (known as an EPAC or pedelec)
Maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts
Motor assistance must cut out at 25 km/h
A throttle is permitted but only up to 6 km/h (walking pace) without pedalling
If your e-bike meets these requirements, it's classified as a bicycle. That means no licence, no registration, and no compulsory third-party insurance is required. You can ride it anywhere a regular bicycle is permitted: bike lanes, shared paths, and roads.
No. If your e-bike is a compliant 250W pedelec or 200W throttle-assist model, you don't need any form of licence or registration to ride it in any Australian state or territory.
However, if your e-bike exceeds these power or speed limits (say it's been modified, or it's a more powerful model imported before the recent crackdowns) it may be classified as a motor vehicle. In that case, you'd need motorcycle registration, a motorcycle licence, and compulsory third-party insurance. You'd also lose the right to ride in bike lanes and on shared paths.
Helmets are mandatory across every Australian state and territory. Your helmet must meet the AS/NZS 2063 standard and be properly fastened. This applies regardless of your age or where you're riding.
The one exception is the Northern Territory, where helmets are not legally required for adult cyclists, though they're still strongly recommended.
Australian e-bike regulations are going through their most significant shift in a decade, and there are a few key changes every rider should be aware of.
Federal import ban on non-compliant e-bikes: As of late 2025, the Australian Government has reinstated e-bike import requirements aligned with the European EN 15194 standard. This means e-bikes over 250W can no longer be legally imported into Australia. The move is designed to clear the market of dangerous, non-compliant devices.
New battery safety standards: From February 2026, e-bikes and their lithium-ion batteries must be tested, certified, and marked before sale in NSW, with other states expected to follow. Non-compliance can carry penalties of up to $825,000 for retailers.
NSW power limit transition: NSW is moving from its historically higher 500W limit down to 250W to align with the rest of the country. This is a big deal for NSW riders who may have purchased higher-powered e-bikes under the old rules.
These changes have divided opinion in the cycling community. Safety advocates, including organisations like Bicycle Queensland, argue that tighter enforcement is overdue, pointing to a rise in incidents involving high-powered, non-compliant devices on shared paths. On the other side, many everyday riders feel the crackdown paints all e-bike owners with the same brush. For commuters who bought a perfectly legal 350W or 500W e-bike in NSW just a year or two ago, being told their ride is now non-compliant is a tough pill to swallow.
Whatever your view, the direction of travel is clear: Australia is tightening up, and understanding where the rules stand today will save you from nasty surprises down the track.
While the core rules are consistent nationally, there are some important differences between states, particularly around footpath riding and enforcement.
NSW has historically been the outlier, allowing e-bikes with up to 500W continuous power. That's now changing, with the state transitioning to the national 250W standard. NSW Police have ramped up enforcement significantly. Operation Kilowatt has seen $818 fines issued for illegal e-bike use, and police now have powers to seize and crush non-compliant devices. From November 2025, converted e-bikes (regular bikes retrofitted with a motor) are banned from Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink, and Metro services. Footpath riding is permitted for children under 16 and accompanying adults.
Victoria follows the national 250W standard. No licence or registration is required for compliant e-bikes. Victoria Police have been actively targeting high-powered scrambler style e-bikes, seizing them as unregistered motor vehicles. Multiple fines can stack up quickly, covering unregistered vehicle, unlicensed driving, and more, easily exceeding $800. Footpath riding is allowed for children under 13 and accompanying adults, as well as riders with a disability.
Queensland sticks to the 250W pedal-assist standard with throttle assist only permitted up to 6 km/h. One notable difference: Queensland allows cyclists of all ages to ride on footpaths, though pedestrians always have right of way. E-bikes are not permitted on trams or buses. Repeated offences (two or more within five years) can result in your e-bike being permanently confiscated and destroyed.
WA follows the national 250W standard and also permits footpath riding for all ages. WA is one of the few states to set an explicit minimum riding age of 16 for e-bikes.
South Australia follows the national standard. Footpath riding is permitted for all ages. Standard bicycle road rules apply.
Tasmania follows the national 250W/25 km/h standard. Footpath riding is permitted for all ages. The state applies standard bicycle regulations to compliant e-bikes.
The ACT follows the national standard. Footpath riding is allowed for all ages. Standard cycling rules apply.
The NT follows the national e-bike standard with one unique distinction: it's the only Australian jurisdiction where bicycle helmets are not mandatory for adults, though they are still strongly recommended.
Riding a non-compliant e-bike isn't just a minor infraction. The consequences can be serious:
Fines in the hundreds of dollars (NSW fines start at $818)
Seizure of your e-bike, with some states having the power to crush non-compliant devices
Insurance implications: if you have an accident on an illegal e-bike, your public liability and personal injury coverage is almost certainly voided
Classification as a motor vehicle, meaning additional charges for riding unregistered and unlicensed
Buy from a reputable dealer. They'll ensure your e-bike meets Australian standards.
Avoid cheap conversion kits. Many exceed legal power limits and void your insurance.
Don't derestrict your e-bike. It might be tempting, but it turns your bicycle into an unregistered motor vehicle.
Check your state's transport website. Regulations are actively evolving, especially in NSW.
Get proper e-bike insurance. While not legally required, dedicated bicycle insurance from Sundays covers theft, accidental damage, and more, giving you peace of mind wherever you ride.
Whether you're commuting through Sydney, cruising the bike paths of Melbourne, or tackling the hills of Brisbane, having the right insurance means you can focus on the ride. Sundays offers dedicated e-bike insurance designed by cyclists, for cyclists, with fixed premiums and cover for theft both at home and away.
Get an e-bike insurance quote now.
No. If your e-bike meets the national standard (250W pedal-assist with a 25 km/h speed cutoff) no licence or registration is required in any Australian state or territory.
The national limit is 250 watts continuous power for pedal-assist e-bikes (pedelecs) and 200 watts for throttle-only e-bikes. NSW is transitioning from its previous 500W limit to match the national standard.
This varies by state. Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, and the NT allow footpath riding for all ages. Victoria permits it for children under 13 and accompanying adults, while NSW permits it for children under 16 and accompanying adults.
Yes, helmets meeting AS/NZS 2063 are mandatory in every state and territory except the Northern Territory, where they are not required for adults but are strongly recommended.
NSW E-bike Regulation Bill 2025
parliament.nsw.gov.au
Queensland Electric Bicycle Rules
qld.gov.au
Bicycle NSW
bicyclensw.org.au
