The Albanese Government is continuing to crack down on the sale of unsafe e‑bikes to protect consumers and the community.
To further strengthen consumer safety, the Government has directed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to develop a new nationally consistent safety standard under the Australian Consumer Law.
This safety standard will ensure there is consistency in every state and territory when it comes to what battery‑powered devices can be sold.
This will apply to e‑bikes and e‑micromobility devices, including e‑scooters and e‑skateboards, drawing a firm line against high‑powered, high‑speed devices linked to serious injuries and deaths, including children.
This work builds on decisions taken by Australian Transport Ministers to adopt international standard EN‑15194 as the standard guidance for sellers and consumers on what bikes are appropriate for use on Australia roads.
This commitment comes after Commonwealth, State and Territory Consumer Affairs Ministers met on Thursday, 30 July 2026 to discuss work being progressed to ensure consumer protections remain fit for purpose in a modern and changing economy.
This includes:
- Recognising the Albanese Government’s new laws banning unfair trading practices, including subscription traps and drip pricing, from 1 July 2027, and ongoing consideration of reforms to extend these protections to small businesses and franchisees.
- The Albanese Government’s $6.6 million investment to strengthen Australia’s product safety framework, including stronger reporting requirements, more effective recalls, tougher penalties and mandatory safety obligations for online marketplaces, while laying the groundwork for broader product safety reforms.
- Advancing reforms to strengthen consumer guarantees and supplier indemnification arrangements, including the introduction of civil penalties.
- Continuing implementation of the Scam Prevention Framework to better protect Australians from scams and online fraud.
- Exploring additional measures to improve consumer protections in the digital economy and address emerging risks from new technologies and online marketplaces.
The Government will continue working closely with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and State and Territory Consumer Ministers to ensure that Australia’s consumer and product safety system protects Australians.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King MP
“The Albanese Government is continuing to take important steps on cracking down on unsafe and illegal e‑rideables on our roads and in our communities.
“This standard will give Australians the confidence that the products being sold are legal and fit for purpose, and will help keep Australians safe.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, Andrew Leigh MP
“As more Australians choose e‑bikes, it’s important that consumers can have confidence in the safety of the products they buy. Nationally consistent standards will provide clearer expectations for manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike.”