Information as at October 2026
Last reviewed:
General information only, not legal advice. Laws and timelines change; check the official sources linked below.
Status at a glance (October 2026)
Automated vehicles are being trialled in Australia and overseas, but they are not yet available commercially or in general use on public roads in Australia. The Department of Infrastructure explains that current laws assume a human driver is responsible. An overseas passenger service, a proposed Australian depot or a vehicle demonstration does not establish permission for general Australian use.
Source: Department of InfrastructureAustralia is developing a national safety framework alongside state and territory changes. The planned Automated Vehicle Safety Law is not the same thing as a trial approval under an existing state framework. As at October 2026 we could not find an AVSL bill introduced into federal Parliament.
Source: Department of InfrastructureThe agreed pathway is conditional deployment from 2027 in selected locations, depending on state and territory laws and capability, with full national readiness to follow. It is not a launch date for any company or city.
Source: NTC automated vehicle programAre driverless cars legal in Australia?
The Department’s current status information does not describe general commercial or public-road availability of automated vehicles in Australia. Trials operate through state and territory frameworks. The relevant approval process depends on the proposed activity.
Source: Department of InfrastructureOn 21 November 2025, transport ministers agreed to allow conditional deployment from 2027 in selected locations. Timing depends on each state and territory updating its laws and capability. Full national readiness is to follow; the decision does not mean every Australian road will become available to every automated vehicle in 2027.
Source: NTC automated vehicle programDriver assistance must also be distinguished from an automated driving system. Features such as lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise support the driver, who must maintain oversight and remains responsible. A product name or marketing description should not be treated as permission to remove that supervision or as proof of a locally authorised driverless service.
Source: Department of InfrastructureThe national framework: Automated Vehicle Safety Law, ADSE and in-service regulator
The Automated Vehicle Safety Law (AVSL) is a planned new Commonwealth law being developed by the Department with the NTC and states and territories. It follows the NTC’s National in-service safety framework, approved by ministers in early 2022. The framework is planned, not an enacted law or a business approval.
Source: Department of InfrastructureThe framework would place responsibility for an automated driving system’s safety on a corporation called the Automated Driving System Entity (ADSE). That entity would be certified as having the right skills and capability, with oversight by a new automated vehicle regulator.
Source: NTC automated vehicle programThe framework also includes a publicly accessible automated vehicle register and complementary changes to state and territory laws. Changes to the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 would address safety at first supply. The proposed in-service arrangements and first-supply arrangements are related elements, not interchangeable descriptions of one approval.
Source: Department of InfrastructureThe Department and NTC consulted during April–June 2024, receiving 63 submissions, and published a consultation report. As at October 2026 we could not find an AVSL bill introduced into federal Parliament.
Source: Department of InfrastructureThe National Transport Commission’s role
The National Transport Commission leads the national automated vehicle reform program. Its work includes the model Australian Road Rules, which are being updated for SAE Level 3 and above, and complementary state laws.
Source: NTC automated vehicle programThe NTC also publishes the national automated vehicle trial guidelines with Austroads. The current version referenced here is dated 16 May 2025. For someone considering a trial, the guidelines are a reference to read alongside the relevant jurisdiction’s law and application requirements rather than a replacement for them.
Source: NTC and Austroads trial guidelinesVehicle standards: Road Vehicle Standards Act and Australian Design Rules
The Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 is relevant to safety at first supply, while the planned automated vehicle framework also addresses in-service system safety. Readers researching driverless car laws should consider both the national vehicle framework and the proposed system-safety arrangements, rather than assume a trial approval answers every standards question.
Source: Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018In June 2026, the UN World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations agreed a new technical regulation for automated driving systems. Australia is developing a new national road vehicle standard, an Australian Design Rule (ADR), to adopt it. The development of that ADR is not a statement that every vehicle using an automated system is already approved for Australian public-road operation.
Source: Department of InfrastructureNSW: Transport for NSW and the automotive technology trial law
The Transport Legislation Amendment (Automated Vehicle Trials and Innovation) Act 2017, assented to on 14 August 2017, amended the Road Transport Act 2013 to allow trials. The approval powers appear in the Road Transport Act.
Source: NSW Parliament: 2017 trial legislationUnder section 148N, the Minister may approve, by an order published in the Gazette, use of a trial vehicle in circumstances that would otherwise not be lawful for a trial of automotive technology. The approval must specify the trial area and trial period, may carry conditions, and can be suspended or revoked, including where it is not safe or no longer in the public interest.
Source: Road Transport Act 2013, s 148NApplicants work with Transport for NSW and must show compliance with national trial guidelines and NSW law. Requirements include a safety management plan, appropriate insurance and consent to provide certain vehicle data. These requirements are part of considering an application, not a checklist that automatically grants permission once completed.
Source: Transport for NSW: trial enquiriesPast NSW trials include an automated shuttle at Sydney Olympic Park from 2017, regional shuttles in Armidale and Coffs Harbour, and the Dubbo smart ute. These examples describe trial activity, not general driverless ride availability.
Source: Transport for NSW: trial projectsThe Sydney Morning Herald reported in November 2025 that Waymo had contacted Transport for NSW about potential testing in Sydney. This is a media report only, not an approval. We are not aware of an approved robotaxi trial in NSW as at October 2026. That statement does not assert that no automated vehicle trials of any kind exist.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald: potential Sydney testing (November 2025 media report)NSW taxi and rideshare services are regulated by the Point to Point Transport Commissioner. How passenger-transport rules would apply to driverless services is a matter for the NSW Government.
Source: Point to Point Transport CommissionerOther states and territories
Victoria requires an automated driving system (ADS) permit under Part 3A of the Road Safety Act 1986 to operate an automated vehicle in automated mode in a trial. Applications need a safety management plan and public liability insurance. These are trial requirements, not a statement of general commercial robotaxi availability.
Source: Transport Victoria: ADS permitsQueensland trials must meet the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ Automated Vehicle Trial Permit Framework. The official Queensland automated vehicle information is the starting point for the trial-permit pathway. A proposal described for another state should not be assumed to satisfy the Queensland framework.
Source: Business Queensland: AV trial permitsSouth Australian trials are enabled under the Motor Vehicles Act, amended in 2016 for trials of automotive technologies. They need a Ministerial authorisation published in the Gazette. The official driverless vehicles information is linked here so readers can distinguish the authorisation pathway from announcements about technology.
Source: SA Department for Infrastructure and TransportWestern Australian legislation does not allow vehicles without a driver in full control. Limited trials can be enabled through exemptions and a Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) permit for each automated vehicle. This is a limited trial pathway, not permission for unrestricted driverless use.
Source: Transport WATimeline
The entries below separate historical trial legislation, national framework development and a conditional future pathway. They are not a timetable for a T Cab launch or a prediction that a particular company will receive approval. Read the 2027 entry together with its state and territory conditions.
Source: NTC automated vehicle program2017 — NSW automotive technology trial law
Source: NSW Parliament: 2017 trial legislation2018 — Victorian ADS permit scheme
Source: Transport Victoria: ADS permitsEarly 2022 — Ministers approve the National in-service safety framework
Source: NTC automated vehicle programApril–June 2024 — Department and NTC consultation
Source: Department of Infrastructure21 November 2025 — Ministers agree the conditional-deployment pathway
Source: NTC automated vehicle programJune 2026 — UN automated driving system technical regulation agreed
Source: Department of Infrastructure2027 (conditional) — Deployment pathway begins in selected locations, subject to state and territory laws and capability
Source: NTC automated vehicle program
What this means for robotaxi fleet operations in Sydney
For prospective Sydney fleet operations, regulation and practical vehicle care need to be considered separately. A hub, charging plan or maintenance workflow cannot substitute for approval of a proposed activity. Fleet-readiness discussions should preserve the difference between planning local support and claiming authority to operate driverless passenger services.
Source: NTC automated vehicle programT Cab Mobility is independent and AV-agnostic: a prospective Sydney fleet-operations, hub, charging and fleet-care partner for EV and autonomous fleets. Planning locations are Ashfield HQ at 534 Parramatta Road, Ashfield NSW 2131, a Kingswood hub described by suburb only, and a Marrickville service centre. Enquiries on (02) 5301 6057 concern prospective ground operations, not taxi or robotaxi bookings.
Official sources & legislation
Use the official policy, legislation and trial sources below to check the statements in this reference. They cover different functions: framework development, standards at first supply, trial approvals and existing passenger-transport regulation. A linked document should be read in its own context, not treated as approval of an unrelated proposal.
Federal
- Automated vehicles
Issuing body: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
Overview of the planned Automated Vehicle Safety Law, ADSE and AV regulator.
Checked October 2026
- Automated vehicle safety reforms (2024 consultation)
Issuing body: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
Consultation papers on the proposed AV regulatory framework.
Checked October 2026
- Automated vehicle safety reforms: consultation report (PDF)
Issuing body: Department of Infrastructure and NTC
Key themes from the 2024 consultation.
Checked October 2026
- 2024-27 National Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Action Plan
Issuing body: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
National workplan including AVSL and regulator milestones.
Checked October 2026
- Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018
Issuing body: Federal Register of Legislation
Commonwealth law for vehicles first supplied in Australia, which the AV framework builds on.
Checked October 2026
- Australian Design Rules
Issuing body: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
National vehicle design standards; a new ADR for automated driving systems is being developed.
Checked October 2026
- Bills and Legislation
Issuing body: Parliament of Australia
Where a federal AVSL bill and explanatory memorandum would appear once introduced (none found as at October 2026).
Checked October 2026
NTC & Austroads
- Automated vehicle program
Issuing body: National Transport Commission
NTC's national AV reform program and the 2027 conditional deployment decision.
Checked October 2026
- Establishing an in-service safety regulatory regime for automated vehicles
Issuing body: NTC
The ministers-approved in-service safety framework behind the AVSL.
Checked October 2026
- Keeping the Automated Driving System safe when it is on-road
Issuing body: NTC
NTC explainer on in-service ADS safety.
Checked October 2026
- Automated vehicle trial guidelines
Issuing body: NTC with Austroads
How AV trials are approved, with links to each state's agency.
Checked October 2026
- Guidelines for Trials of Automated Vehicles in Australia (PDF)
Issuing body: NTC and Austroads
The national trial guidelines document.
Checked October 2026
- Australian Road Rules
Issuing body: NTC
Model road rules adopted by each state, being updated for automated vehicles.
Checked October 2026
- Guidelines for the Evaluation and Reporting of Automated Vehicle Trials (AP-G102-23)
Issuing body: Austroads
How AV trials should be evaluated and reported.
Checked October 2026
NSW
- Road Transport Act 2013 No 18 (Part 5.6, incl. s 148N)
Issuing body: NSW Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel's Office)
NSW law allowing Ministerial approval of automotive technology trials.
Checked October 2026
- Transport Legislation Amendment (Automated Vehicle Trials and Innovation) Bill 2017
Issuing body: Parliament of NSW
Passed and assented 14 August 2017 (Act No 41 of 2017); inserted the trial provisions.
Checked October 2026
- Future Mobility: Partner with us
Issuing body: Transport for NSW
TfNSW entry point for connected and automated vehicle trial and partnership enquiries.
Checked October 2026
- Future Mobility: Our projects
Issuing body: Transport for NSW
NSW CAV trials such as automated shuttles and the Dubbo smart ute.
Checked October 2026
- Automated Vehicle Legislation case study
Issuing body: Transport for NSW
TfNSW summary of the 2017 trial legislation.
Checked October 2026
- NSW Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Readiness Strategy (PDF, 2022)
Issuing body: Transport for NSW
NSW's CAV readiness priorities.
Checked October 2026
- Point to Point Transport Commissioner
Issuing body: NSW Government
Regulator of NSW taxi and rideshare services.
Checked October 2026
Other states & territories
- VIC: Testing of automated vehicles (ADS permit)
Issuing body: Transport Victoria (Department of Transport and Planning)
Victoria's ADS permit scheme for AV trials.
Checked October 2026
- VIC: Road Safety Act 1986
Issuing body: Victorian Legislation
Part 3A sets out ADS permits.
Checked October 2026
- QLD: Trialling an automated vehicle in Queensland
Issuing body: Business Queensland (Department of Transport and Main Roads)
How to apply under TMR's AV Trial Permit Framework.
Checked October 2026
- QLD: Cooperative and Automated Vehicle Initiative
Issuing body: Department of Transport and Main Roads
Queensland's CAV pilot program.
Checked October 2026
- SA: Driverless Vehicles
Issuing body: Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA)
SA trial authorisations under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Checked October 2026
- WA: Automated vehicles
Issuing body: Transport WA (Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure)
WA trial guidelines, process map and permits.
Checked October 2026
- ACT: Road Transport (General) Act 1999
Issuing body: ACT Legislation Register
Exemption powers used for a 2019 ACT autonomous vehicle trial declaration; trial enquiries go to Transport Canberra and City Services.
Checked October 2026
- TAS: Transport Tasmania
Issuing body: Department of State Growth
Tasmania's road transport agency for trial enquiries (no dedicated AV trial page found).
Checked October 2026
- NT
No dedicated Northern Territory AV trial page was found as at October 2026; the NTC trial guidelines page lists the NT contact agency.
Checked October 2026
FAQ
- When will driverless cars be legal in Australia?
- Ministers agreed on 21 November 2025 to allow conditional deployment from 2027 in selected locations, depending on state and territory laws and capability. This is not a national unrestricted-use date or a launch date for any company or city.
- Can I trial an automated vehicle in NSW?
- There is a trial application pathway through Transport for NSW and the Road Transport Act 2013. Approval is not automatic: applicants must address national trial guidelines, NSW law, a safety management plan, appropriate insurance and required vehicle data.
- What is the Automated Vehicle Safety Law?
- It is a planned Commonwealth law being developed with the NTC and states and territories. The framework would make an ADSE responsible for driving-system safety under a new regulator. As at October 2026 we could not find an AVSL bill introduced into federal Parliament.
- Who regulates robotaxis in NSW?
- Transport for NSW administers the trial pathway and the Minister has trial approval powers. The Point to Point Transport Commissioner regulates NSW taxi and rideshare services; how passenger-transport rules would apply to driverless services is a matter for the NSW Government.
- Are Tesla FSD or similar features “driverless”?
- A product name alone does not establish driverless capability. Driver-assistance features require a human driver to maintain supervision and remain responsible. This is a generic distinction, not an assessment or claim about a particular product.
- Does T Cab have an approved robotaxi service?
- No such approval or service is claimed. T Cab is an independent, AV-agnostic prospective fleet-ground-operations partner and does not run driverless rides, a taxi service or passenger bookings.