Australia Day: When do double demerits apply and what does it mean for you?

The Australia Day long weekend is upon us and police are warning drivers to play it safe on the roads as harsher penalties for breaking road rules are about to be enforced.

Penalties for poor driver behaviour will vary across states and territories, with double demerits in place in some parts of the country.

Here's what you need to know depending on where you live.

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NEW SOUTH WALES

NSW Police will begin its double demerit operation from midnight tonight, with penalties to remain in place until midnight on January 26.

Anyone caught breaking road rules will face hefty fines and possible loss of licence.

Police officers will target speeding drivers, and perform random breath and drug tests.

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AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Double demerits will be in place from 12am on Friday, January 22 to 11.59pm Tuesday, January, 26.

During this period, all speeding, seatbelt, and mobile phone offences attract double demerit points, as does riding without a helmet.

All other traffic offences will incur one additional demerit point.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Double demerits don't apply over the Australia Day long weekend.

However, they do apply to other holiday periods and public holidays.

Visit WA's Road Safety Commission website to find out more.

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QUEENSLAND

A double demerit system applies all year round in Queensland, not specifically for public holidays.

People who repeatedly commit specific offences will receive double demerit points for the second or subsequent offence, if the later offence was committed within 12 months of an earlier offence.

VICTORIA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, NORTHERN TERRITORY AND TASMANIA

Victoria, South Australia the Northern Territory and Tasmania do not have a double demerits scheme.

However, this should not equal a lack of precaution.

Usual penalties and fines apply to offences committed over the Australia Day long weekend.