National Legal Notice

Electric Scooters – Public Use Laws for Children

State and Territory Guide for Parents and Guardians

Title

Last updated: 6th of February 2026

Important Legal Notice - Please Read

🟦 New South Wales (NSW) and Northern Territory (NT)

🟦 Queensland (QLD)

🟦 Victoria (VIC)

🟦 Western Australia (WA)

🟦 South Australia (SA)

🟦 Tasmania (TAS)

🟦 Australian Capital Territory (ACT / Canberra)

FINAL SUMMARY FOR PARENTS

important legal notice - please read

Electric scooter laws in Australia are set by individual States and Territories, not by a single national rule.


This means that:

  • whether a child may lawfully ride an electric scooter;
  • where it may be ridden (for example, footpaths or other public areas); and
  • how fast it may be ridden,

depends on where you live.


Some electric scooters designed for children are capable of travelling at speeds that exceed what is permitted for use in public areas in certain States and Territories.


This page is provided to:

  • place parents and guardians on formal notice of the applicable laws;
  • assist families to check how the law applies in their State or Territory; and
  • provide direct links to official government legislation and guidance so the position can be independently verified.

 

This information is general in nature. If you are unsure how the law applies to your circumstances, you should seek independent legal advice.

consolidated jurisdictions – public use prohibited

(Privately Owned Electric Scooters)


The following jurisdictions have the same legal outcome for privately owned electric scooters.

🟦 new south wales (nsw) and northern territory (nt)

Legal position

 

In NSW and the NT, privately owned electric scooters are not permitted to be used in public places.

This includes:

  • roads;
  • footpaths;
  • shared paths;
  • parks; and
  • other public areas.

 

Children under 16

 

Children under 16 cannot legally ride a privately owned electric scooter in public places in these jurisdictions.

 

Private property

 

✅ Permitted

Privately owned electric scooters may be used on private property only, such as:

  • at home;
  • in a backyard;
  • on private land; or
  • on other property not open to the public.

Official sources

individual jurisdictions

Each of the following jurisdictions has materially different rules and must be considered separately.

🟦 queensland (qld)

Children under 12

 

Children under 12 may only use a very low-powered electric scooter in public places if the scooter:

  • has a motor output of 200 watts or less; and
  • cannot exceed 10 km/h when propelled by the motor.

 

Children aged 12 to 15

 

Children aged 12–15 may:

  • use the same low-powered scooters described above; or
  • use higher-powered electric scooters only where permitted under Queensland law, with adult supervision, and subject to all applicable road rules.

 

Roads

 

Children are not permitted to ride electric scooters on roads.

 

Private property

 

✅ Permitted
Electric scooters may be used on private property regardless of speed.

 

Official sources

🟦 victoria (vic)

Minimum age

  • Minimum age: 16 years

Children under 16 cannot legally ride electric scooters in public places in Victoria.

 

Public places

 

Prohibited for under-16s:

  • footpaths;
  • shared paths;
  • roads;
  • parks and public areas.

Private property

 

✅ Permitted
Electric scooters may be used on private property only.

 

Official sources

🟦 western australia (wa)

Two different categories (important)

WA law distinguishes between:

  • eRideables (regular e-scooters); and
  • motorised scooters (low-powered scooters).

Children under 16 – what is allowed

 

❌ eRideables
Children under 16 cannot ride eRideables in public places.

 

✅ Motorised scooters (low-powered only)
Children under 16 may ride a motorised scooter in public places only if it:

  • has a maximum motor output of 200 watts; and
  • cannot exceed 10 km/h.

Helmet and footpath rules apply.

 

Private property

 

✅ Permitted
All electric scooters may be used on private property.

 

Official sources

🟦 south australia (sa)

Minimum age

  • Minimum age: 16 years

There is no low-powered or toy scooter exception in South Australia.

 

Children under 16

 

Children under 16 cannot legally ride electric scooters in public places, regardless of speed or power.

 

Private property

 

✅ Permitted
Electric scooters may be used on private property only.

 

Official sources

🟦 Tasmania (TAS)

Children under 16 – limited exception

 

Children under 16 may ride a motorised scooter in public places only if the scooter:

  • has a maximum motor output of 200 watts; and
  • cannot exceed 10 km/h.

Higher-powered scooters

If the scooter exceeds these limits, it is treated as a motor vehicle, and children under 16 cannot ride it in public places.

 

Private property

 

✅ Permitted
Electric scooters may be used on private property.

 

Official sources

🟦 australian capital territory (act / canberra)

Different approach

The ACT permits children to ride electric scooters in public places, subject to supervision and general speed rules.

 

Children under 12

  • May ride only with adult supervision.

Children aged 12 to 15

  • May ride without supervision.

Speed limits (all ages)

  • Footpaths: 15 km/h
  • Shared paths / cycle paths: 25 km/h
  • Crossings: slow to 10 km/h

Private property

 

✅ Permitted
Electric scooters may be used on private property.

 

Official sources

FINAL SUMMARY FOR PARENTS

  • Laws differ significantly between States and Territories.
  • In many jurisdictions, children cannot legally ride electric scooters in public places, particularly where the scooter exceeds 10 km/h.
  • In all jurisdictions, electric scooters may be used on private property.
  • Parents should carefully check the rules that apply where they live and consider whether a scooter’s speed capability is appropriate for their child.

This information is general in nature. If you are unsure how the law applies to your circumstances, you should seek independent legal advice.