From July 2025, all state government fines in Queensland will rise by 3.5%, affecting speeding tickets, seatbelt violations, mobile phone use, and more.
Dylan Anderson
How Much More You'll Pay
- Speeding up to 10km/h over: $333 (up $11)
- Speeding over 40km/h: $1,918 (up $65)
- Mobile phone use or no seatbelt: $1,250 (up $42)
- Disobeying a stop sign: $500 (up $17)
- Running a red light: $667 (up $22)
These hikes come under the standard penalty increase rate unless adjusted by the state treasurer—which won’t be happening this year.
Revenue on the Rise
Fines and forfeitures are expected to contribute a record $912 million to state revenue in 2025-26. That’s up from $794 million in 2024-25 and $741 million the year before.
Unpaid Fines Still Mounting
Despite increased revenue, Queensland’s SPER is chasing large sums in unpaid penalties:
- $110M in unpaid mobile phone fines
- $51M in unpaid seatbelt fines
- $300M in unpaid speeding fines
While the number of unpaid fines has decreased, the total value has grown significantly due to increased fine amounts and expanded camera enforcement.
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Privacy Concerns Remain
Civil liberties groups have continued to raise concerns over camera technology, particularly around potential privacy violations from mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras. Two government reviews remain unpublished, drawing criticism from privacy advocates.
More Enforcement, More Revenue
Since 2021, high-tech detection systems have drastically increased fine issuance. While authorities say these cameras save lives, critics argue the focus on revenue is growing.
What to Expect Next
The 3.5% increase still needs formal regulation changes later this year but is considered a certainty. With fines projected to generate nearly $1 billion, the government is clearly banking on compliance—and penalty payments—to keep its road safety campaigns and budget in motion.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
