Australia’s roads feature a plethora of speed and red-light cameras as part of efforts to curb hazardous driving practices. According to a report published in the Sydney Morning Herald in November 2026, which cited figures from Revenue NSW, the state’s speed and red-light cameras yielded approximately $324 million in revenue from over 928,000 fines during the 2025-26 financial year. Notably, the majority of the top-earning road cameras in the state are situated within Sydney’s tunnel networks.
Tunnel systems yield substantial revenue
The Southbound Rozelle interchange recorded the highest number of fines, with 27,643 infringements resulting in around $10 million in revenue. The Westbound Cross City Tunnel in East Sydney generated the most revenue for the NSW state government, with this location accruing an estimated $11 million through 23,548 infringements in the 2025-26 financial year.
Speed camera penalties totalled more than $204 million through 779,405 fines, with 60% of these penalties issued in NSW for exceeding the speed limit by less than 10km/h. Additionally, red-light offences contributed more than $119 million to state revenue, arising from 203,351 infringements.
Locations generating the most revenue
The Gold Coast Highway in Tweed Heads generated approximately $5.5 million from 26,202 fines. The NorthConnex Tunnel in Normanhurst followed with 19,782 infringements totaling $5.2 million.
Effectiveness and challenges of speed cameras
Emeritus Professor Raphael Grzebieta of UNSW’s Transport and Road Safety Research Centre (TARS) noted that road cameras and monetary fines serve as effective enforcement tools, though the current system has its drawbacks. He explained that the certainty of detection drives behavioral change, with drivers slowing down to protect their driving records, licenses, and demerit points. However, warning signs before cameras lead to only temporary speed reductions, as drivers resume previous speeds after passing the cameras.
Professor Grzebieta referenced Finland’s speed penalty system as a potential deterrent, where fines are calculated based on a motorist’s income and tax records. For example, a wealthy Finnish businessman named Anders Wiklöf was fined €121,000 after driving 82km/h in a 50km/h zone.
NSW to extend average speed camera trial
NSW is poised to extend its average speed camera trial, which will penalise speeding motorists detected by the 32 cameras along 800km of road on the Hume and Pacific freeways. Initially limited to heavy truck drivers, the trial expanded to private motorists in mid-2025. Since enforcement began, authorities have issued 29,790 speeding fines to motorists over the past 12 months, as reported in October 2026.
