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Average-speed cameras became a permanent fixture in Australia since they were first trialled in Victoria in 1985.
Since then, Australian states have slowly been rolling them out across the country in a bid to reduce speed-related accidents, mostly on highways and freeways.
However, there can be some confusion about how they work and whether they detect cars travelling past them.
While it may seem like there is blanket enforcement, the answer to the question, 'Do average-speed cameras apply to cars?' may surprise you.
How do average-speed cameras work?
Average-speed cameras, also known as 'point-to-point cameras', are set up along a long stretch of road.
Rather than fining you for your speed in one location, they will calculate your speed across a distance and fine you if you exceed the pre-calibrated amount.
According to the Victorian Government: "Two or more point-to-point cameras work together as a system. They are placed at individual points along a stretch of road. They calculate the average speed of vehicles travelling between two or more points along a section of road".
In-road sensors capture a vehicle passing through a section of road, while a camera captures their speed and takes a time-stamped digital image of the vehicle in order to match the number plates to follow-up images if required.
"If the time a vehicle takes is shorter than that time, the system calculates the average speed of the vehicle was over the speed limit. It flags the incident for review and verification," the Victorian Government's site states.
Do average-speed cameras apply to cars?
Some states have average-speed cameras, but they do not apply to cars. Here's what you need to know.
Victoria has point-to-point speed cameras along the Hume Freeway and Peninsula Link, and they apply to all vehicles travelling through.
The zones are not specifically signposted, but you will approach a sign saying, "Road safety cameras operate in this area", before entering an average-speed camera zone.
It needs to be noted that the point-to-point speed cameras in Victoria can also fine you for entering the section at a high speed. So you cannot exceed the speed limit while passing the camera and then slow down dramatically between the two to avoid a fine.
The fine you receive from a point-to-point speed camera is the same as your usual speeding fine.
The approach taken in New South Wales is interesting because the state has multiple average-speed cameras that only apply to heavy vehicles and not cars.
The state has 35 average-speed camera locations. Still, they have historically only been switched on for heavy vehicles, meaning that speeding motorists in light vehicles could theoretically exceed the limit while passing through without any penalty.
However, as of September 2024, the NSW Government has begun trialling the average-speed cameras for light vehicles on the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai and the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes.
The trial, which was set for six months starting from September 2024, means that light vehicles speeding through this section will receive a warning letter but no fine or demerits.
If the trial succeeds, the average-speed cameras could be switched on in all 35 locations for all vehicles.
Queensland uses multiple point-to-point speed cameras that detect all vehicles travelling through that zone.
There are 14 fixed average-speed cameras located between Brisbane, Toowoomba and Sunshine Coast that you can view here.
The locations are also signposted, so you know when you are approaching a monitored stretch of road.
It has not been specified if the point-to-point cameras in Queensland will fine you for your entry and exit speed, so it's a great idea to exercise caution when approaching one.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory has just one average-speed camera location, and it monitors all traffic passing through.
"There is currently a one-point-to-point camera system in the ACT. It's located on Hindmarsh Drive between Yamba Drive and Dalrymple Street. There is a sign 100 metres before each detection point. There is also a sign at the midpoint of the shortest practicable route between the two points," as stated on the Access Canberra website.
It has not been specified if the point-to-point cameras in the ACT will fine you for your entry and exit speed, so it's a good idea to exercise caution when approaching one here too.
Tasmania currently has no point-to-point cameras, but it plans to start a trial using its existing network of 16 mobile speed cameras.
The trial was initially supposed to start in late 2024, but no announcement has been made signalling its commencement.
South Australia has eight average-speed camera locations that detect the speed of all traffic travelling through them.
The zones are signposted with a warning when entering and exiting them to ensure drivers exercise extra caution while travelling through them.
While some sources claim that cameras do not give a fine for exceeding the speed of entry into an average-speed camera zone, this has not been officially confirmed nor denied by the SA Government.
You can find the average-speed cameras in the following locations:
Western Australia has just two average-speed camera locations, Forrest Highway south and northbound (between Lake Clifton and Binningup), but they capture all vehicles travelling through.
These locations are signposted to notify motorists that they are entering an average-speed zone.
The interesting thing about Western Australia is that it is confirmed that you can receive a fine for entry and exit speed, not just average speed.
However, the WA Government website states: "If you are caught speeding in the zone, you will receive at least one infringement. However, a decision on enforcement will be made by WA Police based on the nature of the speeding offence".
This means that if you are captured over the speed limit on both cameras and your average speed, you will likely receive just one fine for your speed. But there is a chance you could receive more if WA Police deems it necessary.
The Northern Territory does not have any average-speed camera locations.
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
