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Advisory speedAustralia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Australia. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Australia

5. Advisory speed

An advisory speed is a recommended speed for a particular road section or hazard rather than a legally imposed maximum speed. It may be shown near bends, junctions, steep gradients, roadworks or other locations where a lower speed can help drivers negotiate the road safely.

Drivers should treat an advisory speed as guidance for safe driving conditions and should travel even more slowly when weather, visibility, traffic or road conditions require it. A separate legally binding speed limit must still be obeyed.

Advisory speed
Warning for a right turn with advisory speed of 55 km/h. (Helensburgh NSW 2508, Australia)
Wikimedia.org • Maksym Kozlenko • CC BY-SA
Are Australian curve advisory speeds the same as legal maxima?

No. For example, the New South Wales standard treats advisory signs for curves, bends, humps and dips as warnings rather than enforceable numerical speed limits. Binding limits and safe-driving duties still apply. Use the rules and signs of the actual state or territory.

🔗 standards.transport.nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — advisory-speed

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, official supporting guidance — advisory-speed

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Transport for NSW — Road User Handbook, relevant topic

Why do New South Wales curve advisory numbers often end in five?

The NSW Speed Zoning Standard recommends that curve advisory speeds end in 5 and use 10 km/h intervals. These are warnings for negotiating a curve in good road and weather conditions, rather than enforceable maximum-speed signs. Read the sign’s form and meaning and obey any lower legal restriction; the final digit alone is not a complete test.

🔗 standards.transport.nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — advisory-speed

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, official supporting guidance — advisory-speed

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Transport for NSW — Road User Handbook, relevant topic

Is an Australian curve’s advisory speed guaranteed to be safe in rain?

No. NSW guidance describes a speed for negotiating the curve in good road and weather conditions. Rain, reduced grip, visibility, traffic or the vehicle can require a lower speed. A recommendation is not a compulsory minimum.

🔗 standards.transport.nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — advisory-speed

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, official supporting guidance — advisory-speed

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Transport for NSW — Road User Handbook, relevant topic

1 Australia 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Speed limit 5 Advisory speed 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian warning 8 Bridge 9 Speed bump 10 Toll road 11 One-way traffic 12 Slope 13 Bus stop 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Pedestrian crossing 18 Railway crossing 19 Mandatory direction 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Crossing animals 23 Slippery road 24 Curve 25 Chevron 26 Wrong-way driving 27 Height limit 28 Radar speed sign 29 Selective barriers 30 Traffic lights 31 Traffic lights warning 32 Pedestrian lights 33 Road markings 34 Left-hand traffic 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Emergency telephone 38 No parking 39 No stopping 40 Disabled parking 41 Traffic management 42 Reversing 43 U-turn 44 Uncontrolled crossroad 45 Oversize load 46 Licence plate 47 Charging station 48 Local traffic 49 Moped 50 Truck 51 Bus 52 Police 53 Ambulance 54 Pothole 55 Path 56 Particulates 57 Air pollution 58 Rush hour 59 Road code 60 Two-way traffic 61 Street gutter 62 Cargo bike 63 Forestry vehicle 64 Construction vehicle 65 Semi-trailer truck 66 Trolleybus 67 Speed pedelec 68 Delivery vehicle 69 Idling 70 Tow truck 71 Four-wheel drive 72 Bicycle 73 Motorcycle equipment 74 Tram 75 Rail track 76 Caravan 77 Trailer 78 Tow hitch 79 Fire truck 80 Siren 81 Convoy 82 Emergency vehicle lighting 83 Agricultural machinery 84 Electric bicycle 85 Electric vehicle 86 Pedelec 87 Quadricycle 88 Microcar 89 All-terrain vehicle 90 Van 91 Recreational vehicle 92 Scooter 93 Trikke 94 Personal mobility device 95 Skateboard 96 Segway 97 Kick scooter 98 Roller skates 99 Mailman 100 Hitchhiker ...