ANZAC Day long weekend 2026: Double demerit points now in force in NSW, WA, ACT

The ANZAC Day long weekend brings with it the prospect of double demerit points for motorists in a number of states and territories across Australia – but not all.

Double demerit points apply from midnight on Friday, April 24 through to 11:59pm on Monday, April 27, 2026 in New South Wales (NSW), Western Australia (WA) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

The inclusion of double points on the Monday covers the additional public holiday in those states, given ANZAC Day (April 25) falls on a Saturday.

Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory will not have double demerit points in place, and will not observe a public holiday on the Monday.

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Queensland has double demerit points in place year-round, so the ANZAC Day period will not affect penalties for drivers who offend.

Not all offences will attract double demerit points.

In a NSW Government statement, NSW Police said it will target “high risk behaviours including speeding, illegal mobile phone use, improper seatbelt use and motorcycle helmet offences” over the weekend.

“This is a high-visibility operation, and drivers can expect to see police on highways, in regional areas and across our metropolitan road network,” said NSW Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism, Yasmin Catley.

“There is no excuse for speeding, using your mobile phone, or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt. These are not just offences, they are choices – and they could cost you your life.”

Western Australia has not issued a statement ahead of the ANZAC Day weekend, but recently waived more than $1.1 million in fines issued by cameras using artificial intelligence (AI) for similar offences.

It also introduced a fleet of new BMW X5 police vehicles over the Easter long weekend earlier this month.

A total of 175 deaths have been recorded on WA roads in the first three months of 2026, compared to 196 at the same time in 2025.

Australia’s national road toll to the end of March is up 3.0 per cent year-on-year, with 1326 deaths compared to 1287 at the same point in 2025.

Tasmania and Queensland have posted the biggest increases of 29.4 per cent and 11 per cent respectively, while NSW has the highest toll with 365 deaths, up 9.3 per cent on the 334 recorded at the same point last year.

Double demerit points were first introduced in Australia in NSW for the 1997 Easter long weekend. MORE: Australia’s top motoring body slams federal government for road safety failures after death toll rises again