Reform Tracker
Every bill, review and announcement that changes where prescribed drivers stand — newest first. Each post links to the affected state page.
SA's Tasmania-style driving recommendation is still waiting for a government response
· South Australia page — Recommendation 1 of the SA Joint Committee's interim report (tabled 25 September 2024) asked the Transport Minister to draft Road Traffic Act amendments so unimpaired prescribed patients commit no offence. No government response has been identified.
NSW introduces the Medical Cannabis and Driving Offences Bill 2026
· New South Wales page — The Minns Government's Road Transport Legislation Amendment (Medical Cannabis and Driving Offences) Bill 2026 is before Parliament — a voluntary registration scheme with warning letters for a first and second THC detection.
Queensland is 'carefully considering' its drug-driving review — what's actually on the table
· Queensland page — TMR's 'Cannabis and driving in Queensland' review has been handed to government, which says it is carefully considering the recommendations. A proposed s79(2AB) defence and an active e-petition are in the mix.
Victoria's closed-track driving trial: recruitment complete, results due mid-2026
· Victoria page — Swinburne's world-first closed-circuit trial of medicinal cannabis patients' driving performance has finished recruiting patients; the Government says results are expected mid-2026 and will inform broader reform.
Current reform status by state
- New South Wales: Road Transport Amendment (Medical Cannabis and Driving Offences) Bill 2026 — introduced by the NSW Government; registration/education/warning-letter model. Limited to unrestricted licence holders. (Before Parliament as of research date)
- New South Wales: Road Transport Amendment (Medicinal Cannabis) Bill 2025 (Greenwich, introduced November 2025) — withdrawn 14 May 2026. (Withdrawn)
- New South Wales: Road Transport Amendment (Medicinal Cannabis—Exemptions from Offences) Bill 2025 (Faehrmann) — debate adjourned after second reading in the Legislative Council. (Adjourned)
- Victoria: Section 50(1F) licence discretion for prescribed patients — commenced 1 March 2025 via Roads and Road Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (Vic). (In force)
- Victoria: 18-month closed-circuit medicinal cannabis driving trial (began September 2024) — outcome/report expected mid-2026. (Awaiting report — update this entry on publication)
- Queensland: TMR 'Cannabis and driving in Queensland' community consultation and subsequent review handed to government; range of options tabled. (Government 'carefully considering recommendations' (TMR statement reported June 2026))
- Queensland: Proposed amendment inserting s79(2AB) into the TORUM Act — a defence where THC was legally obtained and administered per prescription and the driver was not under the influence. (Proposed amendment before Parliament — NOT law.)
- Queensland: Parliamentary e-petition calling for a statutory medical defence for prescribed, unimpaired drivers. (Active as of research date)
- Western Australia: WA medicinal cannabis and safe driving working group considering evidence and potential reform; Legalise Cannabis WA campaigning. (No reform passed as of research date.)
- South Australia: Joint Committee on the Legalisation of Medicinal Cannabis — interim report (tabled 25 September 2024, 13 recommendations). Recommendation 1: Minister for Infrastructure and Transport to draft Road Traffic Act amendments so it is not an offence for a prescribed patient using THC medicine per prescription to drive with THC present (Tasmanian model), with community consultation on the draft. (Committee recommendation only — no government response or bill identified.)
- Tasmania: No reform currently on foot — Medical defence available if not impaired.
- Australian Capital Territory: Community e-petition for drug-driving law reform for medicinal cannabis patients — government response maintained current law. (No change enacted)
- Northern Territory: No reform currently on foot — Strict presence offence — no reform bill identified.