By now, putting a seatbelt on as soon as you get behind the wheel of a car or jump in the passenger seat is an autopilot action. Also, a legal requirement, it’s a habit that can have a big impact.
When worn correctly, seatbelts can reduce the risk of significant injury if you’re involved in an accident and can double your chances of surviving a serious crash.1
Yet, more than 180,000 seatbelt fines for non-compliance were issued across Australia in 2024.2 And failing to wear a seatbelt correctly is not only dangerous, as you’ll read below, it can also be costly – and could even impact your car insurance.
Why do we have seatbelt fines?
Just as Australia’s speed limits and speeding fines are designed to improve road safety,3 the aim of seatbelt fines is to encourage drivers and passengers to “buckle up”, given the critical role wearing a seatbelt plays in driver safety.1
How to use a seatbelt correctly
It’s not just failing to wear a seatbelt altogether that could get you fined; not wearing one correctly can too4 – and for good reason.
“Wearing a seatbelt incorrectly reduces its ability to protect an individual in a motor vehicle crash,” explains Associate Professor Sjaan Koppel of the Monash University Accident Research Centre.
“It can cause serious injuries to the abdomen, chest or spine because the crash forces are not distributed across the body’s strongest areas. For pregnant occupants, incorrect positioning can also increase the risk of placental abruption, preterm delivery or even fetal injury.”
According to Koppel, incorrect seatbelt use is when the belt isn’t flat, snug or properly routed.
“Common errors include the lap belt riding up over the stomach or across the abdomen, instead of low over the hips and thighs,” she says.
“And having the shoulder belt positioned under the arm, behind the back or across the belly instead of across the chest and shoulder.”
Koppel shares this advice on how to use a seatbelt correctly:
- Lap belt – make sure it’s low and snug across your hips and upper thighs, and under your belly if you’re pregnant.
- Shoulder belt – make sure it’s flat across your chest and shoulder. If you’re pregnant, position it between your breasts and to the side of your belly.
- Keep both belts untwisted and avoid using accessories that alter belt tension or routing.
How much might a seatbelt fine cost you?
The fine for not wearing a seatbelt or not wearing one correctly varies across Australia. Here’s a state-by-state rundown on fine amounts, demerit points – including whether double demerits are enforced during certain times of year – and the different types of fines that apply.
Seatbelt fines in NSW
| Offence | Fine | Demerit points* |
| Driving without wearing a seatbelt properly positioned or fastened | $4235 | 35 |
| Driving with a passenger 16 years or older who’s not wearing a seatbelt | $4235 | 35 |
| Driving with two unrestrained passengers | $8445 | 65 |
| Driving with three unrestrained passengers | $1,3615 | 65 |
| Driving with four or more unrestrained passengers | $1,7845 | 65 |
| Passengers aged 16 years and over who aren’t wearing a seatbelt properly can also be fined | $4236 |
*Double demerit points apply.5
Seatbelt fines in Qld
| Offence | Fine | Demerit points* |
| Driving without wearing a seatbelt properly positioned or fastened | $1,2517 | 47 |
| Driving with a passenger 16 years or older who’s not wearing a seatbelt properly | $1,2517 | 47 |
| Failing to wear a seatbelt properly as a passenger who’s at least 16 years old | $1,2517 | 47 |
*Double demerit points apply.8
Seatbelt fines in Victoria
| Offence | Fine | Demerit points |
| Driving without wearing a seatbelt properly positioned or fastened | $4079 | 39 |
| Driving with a passenger who’s not wearing a seatbelt properly | $40710 | 310 |
Passengers aged 16 years and over who aren’t wearing a seatbelt properly may also be fined.11
Seatbelt fines in the ACT
| Offence | Fine | Demerit points* |
| Driving without wearing a seatbelt properly positioned or fastened | $57412 | 312 |
| Driving with a passenger who’s not wearing a seatbelt properly | $57412 | 312 |
| Passengers aged 16 years and over who aren’t wearing a seatbelt properly can also be fined | $57412 |
*Double demerit points may apply.13
Seatbelt fines in Tasmania14
| Offence | Fine | Demerit points |
| Driving without wearing a seatbelt properly positioned or fastened | $41014 | 314 |
| Driving with a passenger aged 16 years or over who’s not wearing a seatbelt properly | $41014 | 314 |
| Driving with a passenger aged under 16 who’s not wearing a seatbelt properly | $461.2514 | 314 |
Seatbelt fines in SA15
| Offence | Fine | Demerit points |
| Driving without wearing a seatbelt properly positioned or fastened | $44815 | 315 |
| Driving with a passenger aged under 16 who’s not wearing a seatbelt properly | $44815 | 315 |
| Driving with more than one passenger aged under 16 not wearing a seatbelt properly | $53015 | 515 |
| Failing to wear a seatbelt properly if you’re a passenger aged 16 years and over | $44815 | 315 |
Seatbelt fines in WA
| Offence | Fine | Demerit points* |
| Driving without wearing a seatbelt properly positioned or fastened – $550 and 4 demerit points | $55016 | 416 |
Driving without wearing a seatbelt properly and with:
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Driving wearing a seatbelt properly and with:
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| Failing to wear a seatbelt properly if you’re a passenger aged 16 years and over | $55016 |
*Double demerit points may apply.17
Seatbelt fines in the NT18
| Offence | Fine | Demerit points* |
| Driving without wearing a seatbelt properly positioned or fastened | $50018 | 318 |
| Driving with a passenger aged under 16 who’s not wearing a seatbelt properly | $50018 | 318 |
| Failing to wear a seatbelt properly if you’re a passenger aged 16 years and over | $50018 |
Are there any exemptions that mean a fine won’t be issued?
There are some situations where it may be acceptable for drivers or passengers not to wear a seatbelt. These may include when you’re reversing your vehicle, if you have a relevant medical condition, or if you’re a passenger administering urgent medical treatment to another passenger.4
You can read more about the seatbelt exemptions that apply in:
Remember though, exemptions to wearing a seatbelt are very limited – so if you’re caught not wearing one or not wearing one correctly, you’ll likely be fined.4 In Australia, fines can be issued by police or after an offence has been detected by a seatbelt camera.2
How do seatbelt cameras work in Australia?
Just like mobile phone detection cameras, seatbelt cameras capture images of passing vehicles in all types of traffic and weather conditions. They can be fixed or transportable and they’re capable of operating day and night.6,19
Software using artificial intelligence (AI) automatically reviews these images, saving those that are likely to show that someone’s not wearing a seatbelt or not wearing one correctly.6,19
Trained personnel then check the images to verify whether a seatbelt offence has or hasn’t occurred.6,19
Are seatbelt cameras used everywhere in Australia?
No. Cameras aren’t currently used to detect seatbelt offences in the NT20 or SA.21 Every other state and territory does use seatbelt detection cameras.6,22-26
Generally speaking, seatbelt cameras tend to be located in places where road crash injuries or fatalities have occurred and where not wearing a seatbelt was a contributing factor.24 Other criteria for site selection include high traffic volumes and advice from police and transport authorities.20,26
Who do seatbelt fines impact the most?
Seatbelt fines are not only expensive, but they typically also come with hefty demerit points. The impact of this can depend on the demerit points balance on your driver’s licence – for example, in NSW, if you reach your demerit point limit your licence could be suspended.27
Learner and provisional licence holders have lower demerit point limits and, in some states, and territories, a seatbelt fine might account for the whole points limit.27
For example, in NSW, P2 licence holders have a demerit point limit of 7 points.27 If you get caught driving without a seatbelt and two of your passengers are also unrestrained,9 demerit points will be added to your driver’s record.5
Can fines affect your insurance?
Wearing your seat-belt correctly isn’t just about safety, it could also help keep your insurance costs down. Avoiding seat-belt related fines and demerit points may work in your favour, as some insurers take your driving record into account when they calculate car insurance premiums.28
“We look at every policy application individually, and your driving record is part of that assessment,” says Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle and Lifestyle.
According to Jackson, higher demerit point totals can signal a pattern of risky behaviour, which may increase the cost of providing insurance. “However, demerit points are just one part of the puzzle – your premium is shaped by various factors,” she notes.
Seatbelts – and knowing how to wear one correctly – can help protect you and your passengers in a car accident, and Youi is here to help cover your car. Explore our range of car insurance options to see if there’s a policy that suits your needs.
Note: Information in this article is relevant as of October 2025 and by its nature will change over time. Check relevant Government websites for updates if this information is important to you
1 Source: NSW Government – Buckle up: NSW seatbelt offences slashed under Minns Labor Government safety drive, July 2025
2 Source: Australian Government – Police enforcement, August 2025
3 Source: Transport Victoria – Speed limits
4 Source: NSW Government – Seatbelts
5 Source: NSW Government – Search offences and penalties
6 Source: NSW Centre for Road Safety – Seatbelts
7 Source: Qld Government – Demerit points schedule
8 Source: Qld Government – Double demerit points
9 Source: Fines Victoria – Fine amounts and demerit points
10 Source: Transport Accident Commission – Seatbelts
11 Source: Transport Victoria – Seat belts
12 Source: ACT Government – Road Transport (Offences) Regulation 2005, July 2025
13 Source: ACT Policing – Double demerit reminder following disappointing Easter period, October 2024
14 Source: Tas Government – Penalties and Infringements
15 Source: SA Government – Offences and Penalties
16 Source: WA Government – Seatbelts
17 Source: WA Government – Double demerits, September 2025
18 Source: NT Government – Traffic offence fines and demerit points
19 Source: Vic Government – Mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras, August 2025
20 Source: Drive – What does a seatbelt-detection camera capture?, December 2024
21 Source: The University of Adelaide – Mobile phone detection cameras in South Australia, January 2024
22 Source: Premier of Victoria – Victorians Buckle Up And Ditch Devices Behind The Wheel, August 2025
23 Source: ACT Government – Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Amendments Bill 2025
24 Source: Qld Government – Mobile phone and seatbelt cameras, September 2024
25 Source: Tas Government – Mobile phone and seatbelt detection
26 Source: WA Government – Safety cameras
27 Source: NSW Government – How demerit points work
28 Source: Canstar – Do demerit points affect your car insurance premiums?, April 2025
