Mobile Phone Detection Cameras in Australia: Which States Operate Them (2026)

Mobile phone detection cameras now operate in seven of Australia's eight jurisdictions. The Northern Territory is the only one with none. Fine amounts range from $500 flat in the NT to $1,295 in Queensland for FY2026-27, and enforcement start dates differ by years between states.

Jurisdiction scope: This page covers hand-held mobile phone use while driving and the detection camera networks that enforce it, across all eight Australian states and territories, verified 20 July 2026. It does not cover hands-free or in-vehicle system use, which is treated differently under most jurisdictions' road rules. This is general legal information, not legal advice about a specific infringement.

Mobile Phone Enforcement by Jurisdiction (FY2026-27)

Northern Territory: The Only Jurisdiction With No Cameras

Every other Australian state and territory has deployed mobile phone detection camera technology in some form; the Northern Territory has not. NT enforcement of its hand-held mobile phone rule relies on police observation rather than automated camera detection. The flat fine is $500 with 3 demerit points, applying whether the phone was being used to call, text or otherwise operate. Unlike several other jurisdictions, the Northern Territory does not run a double-demerit-point scheme for any offence category, including mobile phone use.

NSW: The National Pioneer, With an Unverified Demerit Count

NSW operates the country's largest fixed mobile-phone-detection camera network. The current fine for illegal mobile phone use is $434, rising to $577 if detected in a school zone, both confirmed FY2026-27 figures from Transport for NSW. Widely reported figures put the demerit point count at 5, doubling to 10 during a double-demerit period, and mobile phone offences are confirmed to be on the list of offences subject to NSW's holiday-period doubling. However, the authoritative NSW demerit point schedule could not be accessed directly to verify the exact point count at the time of writing, so this page states the fine with confidence but does not assert a specific demerit figure as verified.

Victoria: Fine and Demerit Figure Confirmed for FY2026-27

Victoria's mobile phone detection cameras have operated since 1 April 2023, with camera locations published monthly. The current fine is $627 plus 4 demerit points, confirmed as at 1 July 2026 from vic.gov.au's official fine-amounts page. Readers should be aware that some older secondary sources still display stale FY2025-26 figures; the vic.gov.au camera-fines page explicitly dated "as at 1 July 2026" is the authoritative current source.

Queensland: The Highest Flat Fine, and a Different Doubling Rule

Queensland's mobile phone fine is $1,295 plus 4 demerit points for FY2026-27, reflecting the penalty unit's rise from $166.90 to $172.70 on 1 July 2026, a 3.5% increase. This FY2026-27 figure should not be quoted against 2025 dates; the FY2025-26 equivalent was approximately $1,251. Queensland's double-demerit rule for mobile phone offences works differently from the holiday-period doubling used in NSW and Western Australia: in Queensland, doubling applies to a second or subsequent mobile phone offence committed within 12 months of an earlier one, regardless of whether either offence occurred over a public holiday period.

Western Australia: Two Fine Tiers by What the Driver Was Doing

Western Australia enforces mobile phone detection cameras in two phases: a caution-only period that began 26 January 2025, followed by full fine enforcement from 8 October 2025. WA's fine structure is unusual in explicitly tying the penalty to what the driver was doing with the phone: holding it to make or receive a call carries a $500 fine and 3 demerit points, while creating or viewing a text or video, video chatting or using another app carries a higher $1,000 fine and 4 demerit points. WA also applies holiday-period double-demerit points, consistent with its approach to other offence categories.

South Australia: Camera Enforcement Since June 2024

South Australian mobile phone detection cameras have operated since June 2024 from a small number of high-risk fixed locations, expanding over time, according to SAPOL. The FY2026-27 fine in the SAPOL schedule is $592, plus a $108 Victims of Crime Levy for an adult, bringing the effective total to roughly $700, alongside 3 demerit points. Both figures come from the SAPOL expiation schedules stamped effective 1 July 2026. SAPOL's camera locations and current fine figures are published on its official expiations and news pages.

ACT: Two Fine Tiers, Fixed and Portable Cameras

The ACT operates both fixed mobile-phone-detection cameras, whose locations are published, and portable units, whose locations are not disclosed. As with Western Australia, the ACT's penalty depends on the type of use: holding or otherwise using a device for a reason other than messaging carries a $615 fine and 3 demerit points, while messaging, social networking, or accessing apps or the internet carries a higher $745 fine and 4 demerit points, both current City Services ACT figures.

Tasmania: Cameras Operate, but Current Figures Are Unverified

Tasmania has deployed Sensys Gatso mobile-phone and seatbelt detection units since 2022, including portable detection trailers, and does not publish specific camera locations. This page cannot confirm Tasmania's current mobile-phone fine amount or demerit point count from a reliable, accessible primary source; secondary sources conflict on whether the demerit count is 3 or 4. A reader needing the current Tasmanian figures should check directly with transport.tas.gov.au rather than rely on a figure quoted here.

Mobile phone offences interact directly with each jurisdiction's demerit scheme; see demerit points explained across Australia and the full Australia driving laws hub. For related enforcement categories, see speeding fines in Australia and state pages for New South Wales demerit points, Queensland demerit points and Western Australia demerit points.

This page provides general legal information about mobile phone detection camera enforcement across Australia, verified 20 July 2026. It is not legal advice about a specific infringement notice. Fine and demerit figures re-index in most jurisdictions on 1 July each year; confirm the current figure with the relevant transport authority before relying on it in a later financial year. For advice about a specific notice, consult a legal practitioner admitted in the relevant Australian state or territory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Australian state or territory has no mobile phone detection cameras?

The Northern Territory. Every other jurisdiction, NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT, now operates some form of mobile phone detection camera enforcement.

What is the mobile phone fine in Queensland for FY2026-27?

$1,295 plus 4 demerit points, reflecting the penalty unit's rise to $172.70 on 1 July 2026. This figure applies to the 2026-27 financial year only; the FY2025-26 equivalent was approximately $1,251.

Does Western Australia fine texting more than making a call?

Yes. Holding a phone to make or receive a call carries a $500 fine and 3 demerit points, while texting, using social media, email or another app carries a $1,000 fine and 4 demerit points.

Is Queensland's double demerit rule for mobile phones tied to holiday periods?

No. Queensland doubles demerit points for a second or subsequent mobile phone offence committed within 12 months of an earlier one, year-round, unlike NSW's and WA's holiday-period doubling.

How much is the NSW mobile phone fine?

$434, rising to $577 if detected in a school zone, both confirmed FY2026-27 figures. This page does not state a verified demerit point count for NSW mobile phone offences.

What is Tasmania's current mobile phone fine?

This page cannot confirm Tasmania's current fine or demerit point figure from a verified primary source. Check directly with transport.tas.gov.au for the current figure.

Since when has Western Australia issued mobile phone camera fines?

WA ran a caution-only period from 26 January 2025 before moving to full fine enforcement from 8 October 2025.

Does the Northern Territory use double demerit points for mobile phone offences?

No. The Northern Territory does not operate a double-demerit-point scheme for any offence category.