Helmet Laws Explained by M Stuff 

Changes to the laws relating to the use of European standard helmets are now consistent across Australia.

Here’s some useful information regarding the recent changes to use of motorcycle helmets and relevant Australian Standards in all Australian States and Territories.

It is now standard across Australia with changes to all States Road Traffic Acts allowing the use of ECE22.05 standard helmets in all States and Territories of Australia.

This brings an end to the inconsistencies that have been present throughout Australia since Queensland legalised the use of European helmets in February 2015.

Manufacturers and importers will now be able to bring models in directly from Europe without having to go through the Australian testing and approval process.

For you the motorcyclist the obvious benefits are in three areas – a wider range of helmets available, cheaper prices and an end to the massive confusion that has surrounded helmets for well over twelve months.

The standards and types of helmets approved for use in Australia include:

• Australian Standard (AS) 1698:1988, Protective helmets for vehicle users;
• Australian Standard /New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS) 1698: 2006, Protective helmets for vehicle users;
• United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) 22.05, Uniform provisions concerning the approval of protective helmets and their visors for drivers and passengers of motorcycles and mopeds.  

To ensure that your protective helmet is compliant with the Australian legal standards and types, look for identifying marks on the helmet, such as a sewn-in label and, on 2010 or later helmets, a compliance sticker. All helmets must be marked to show that they comply with the relevant Australian Standard (i.e. AS 1698:1988 or AS/NZS 1698:2006) or UN ECE 22.05.  

 

For helmets that comply with UN ECE 22.05, the helmet must bear a label displaying an international approval mark. Look for a label sewn into the retention system of the helmet.

The mark is in a form of a circle surrounding the letter ‘E’, followed by the distinguishing number of the country in which the testing and certification were approved.  The number on the right of the ‘E’, therefore, may vary from one model of the helmet to another (e.g. 2=France, 3=Italy).   

The mark must also have information concerning the actual standard to which it applies (i.e. 05 is the ECE 22.05 standard and is followed by the approval number issued in the respective country), the type of helmet (i.e. P is ‘protective’ and J signifies ‘Jet’ style open face approval) and its production serial number.  Examples are:

We only stock and sell helmets that meet all Australian laws and regulations.

If you have any questions regarding the certification of your helmet please call our friendly team, and we'll be happy to assist.

Can I wear a tinted visor?

WARNING: Tint Iridium and Photo-chromatic shields may not be legal for ROAD use in all States or Territories, Check your road transport authority user law for compliance before using this type of shield for street use within Australia.