What is the Consumer Safety Standard (Quad Bikes) 2019 and how does it affect the sale of a quad bike in Australia?

The Consumer Safety Standard (Quad Bikes) 2019 is a mandatory consumer product safety standard made under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) by the Australian Government. It applies to quad bikes (also known as ATVs) supplied in Australia — whether new or second-hand — by suppliers in trade or commerce. The standard requires that quad bikes meet minimum performance requirements for stability, and that either the quad bike passes a specified lateral static stability test or is fitted with a compliant Operator Protection Device (OPD), which is a crush-protection device designed to reduce the risk of fatality or serious injury if the bike rolls over. The OPD requirements were phased in progressively from October 2021. Where a quad bike is sold in trade or commerce (for example, by a dealer or a business regularly selling quad bikes), the supplier must comply with the standard. Buyers and sellers of quad bikes in private transactions should be aware of the standard and consider whether compliance or an OPD is required before the bike can be safely and legally used.

Do I need to register a quad bike or ATV in Australia?

Registration requirements for quad bikes and ATVs in Australia vary by state and territory and by how the vehicle is used. In all states and territories, quad bikes and ATVs that are ridden on public roads must be registered with the relevant roads authority and the rider must hold an appropriate licence. In most states, quad bikes used exclusively on private land (such as a farm or private property) are not required to be registered for road use. However, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and other states have specific rules about farm vehicles travelling on roads even for short distances (for example, crossing a public road between paddocks). Some states also have specific requirements for quad bikes used on pastoral and agricultural properties. When selling a road-registered quad bike, the seller must provide all registration documents to the buyer and the buyer is responsible for transferring the registration into their own name with the relevant roads authority within the prescribed period and paying any applicable transfer fees. The Bill of Sale should accurately record the registration details to facilitate the transfer.

Should I search the PPSR before buying a second-hand quad bike in Australia?

Yes. A PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) search is strongly recommended before purchasing any second-hand quad bike or ATV in Australia. The PPSR is maintained under the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) and records security interests held by finance companies, banks, and other creditors over personal property (including quad bikes and ATVs). Common security interests over quad bikes include chattel mortgages (taken out when the bike was originally financed), hire purchase agreements, and retention of title arrangements. If a registered security interest exists and the seller has not arranged for it to be discharged before the sale, the buyer may take the quad bike subject to the security interest. This means the finance company could potentially repossess the quad bike even after the buyer has paid for it. A PPSR search can be conducted at ppsr.gov.au by the vehicle's VIN for a small fee. Buyers should conduct the search immediately before completing the purchase and ensure the seller provides a clear title.

What safety obligations apply to quad bike users in Australia?

Quad bike safety is a significant concern in Australia, which has one of the highest rates of quad bike-related fatalities and serious injuries per capita in the world. Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and its state and territory equivalents, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) — such as farmers and agricultural employers — have a primary duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others who may be affected by the use of quad bikes at the workplace. This includes providing training, helmets and appropriate personal protective equipment, restricting use by age and licence category, and considering whether quad bikes are the most appropriate vehicle for the task or whether a side-by-side (SxS) vehicle would provide greater occupant protection. Safe Work Australia has published guidance on managing the risks of quad bike use at workplaces. Buyers who intend to use quad bikes in a workplace context should review the applicable WHS requirements in their state or territory before placing the vehicle into service.

How does the Australian Consumer Law apply to the sale of a quad bike?

The Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which forms Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), applies to the supply of goods in trade or commerce in Australia. Where a quad bike or ATV is sold by a supplier in trade or commerce (for example, a dealer, a manufacturer, or a business that regularly sells vehicles), the Buyer may be entitled to statutory consumer guarantees under the ACL, including guarantees that the goods are of acceptable quality, match any description given, and are fit for any disclosed purpose. The ACL prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct and false or misleading representations about goods. Sellers who misrepresent the condition, age, engine hours, or safety compliance status of a quad bike may be liable under the ACL. Buyers are also entitled to remedies (repair, replacement, or refund) if the goods fail to comply with a consumer guarantee. Private sales of used goods between individuals who are not carrying on a business are generally not subject to the same ACL consumer guarantee obligations.

Bill of Sale — ATV / Quad Bike / Side-by-Side (Australia) — Australia

Create an Australian Bill of Sale for the private or commercial sale of an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle), quad bike, or side-by-side / UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle). Covers VIN, engine number, engine displacement, Consumer Safety Standard (Quad Bikes) 2019 compliance and Operator Protection Device (OPD) status, road registration transfer (if applicable), PPSR search and PPSA retention of title, GST treatment, and Australian Consumer Law guarantees. Suitable for all makes including Honda, Yamaha, Polaris, Can-Am, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and CF Moto.

What Is a Bill of Sale — ATV / Quad Bike / Side-by-Side (Australia)?

An Australian ATV / Quad Bike / Side-by-Side Bill of Sale is a written legal document that records the sale and transfer of ownership of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), quad bike, or side-by-side utility terrain vehicle (UTV) from a Seller to a Buyer in Australia. The document captures all essential details of the transaction: the full identities of both parties, a precise description of the vehicle (including type, make, model, year, VIN, engine number, engine displacement, and colour), the Consumer Safety Standard (Quad Bikes) 2019 compliance status and OPD (Operator Protection Device) status, any road registration details (if the vehicle is registered for road use), the purchase price and GST treatment, the condition of the vehicle at the date of sale, PPSR disclosure, and the moment at which title and risk of loss transfer from the Seller to the Buyer.

Quad bikes and ATVs are widely used on Australian farms, stations, and rural properties for mustering, fencing, crop inspection, and general utility tasks. Side-by-side vehicles (SxS / UTVs) are increasingly popular in both agricultural and recreational contexts due to their improved occupant protection. In Australia, quad bike safety has attracted significant legislative and regulatory attention following many years of high rates of quad bike fatalities and serious injuries.

The Consumer Safety Standard (Quad Bikes) 2019, made under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), is a mandatory Australian government safety standard that applies to quad bikes supplied in Australia and requires compliance with specified stability and OPD requirements. The Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) governs security interests in ATVs and quad bikes, and a PPSR search by VIN before purchase is strongly recommended to protect the buyer from undisclosed finance. The Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)) applies mandatory statutory guarantees to commercial sales of goods. Road registration requirements apply where the vehicle is used on public roads, and these vary by state and territory.

When Do You Need a Bill of Sale — ATV / Quad Bike / Side-by-Side (Australia)?

An Australian ATV / Quad Bike / Side-by-Side Bill of Sale is needed whenever one of these vehicles changes hands between a private seller and buyer, or in a commercial sale, and the parties want a written record of the transaction and the transfer of title. Common situations where this document is important include:

Farm and station sales. When a farmer or station manager sells a quad bike or SxS vehicle that has been used for mustering, property inspection, or farm maintenance, a Bill of Sale records the transaction and protects both parties if a dispute arises about the vehicle's condition or the inclusions.

Private sales (Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace). When quad bikes are sold privately online, a written Bill of Sale protects both parties by recording the agreed price, the VIN and engine number, the condition, the PPSR status, and the transfer of risk and ownership on the agreed date.

Dealer and commercial sales. Where a quad bike or SxS is sold by a dealer or business, the Bill of Sale supports compliance with the Australian Consumer Law, the Consumer Safety Standard (Quad Bikes) 2019, and GST obligations.

Estate and deceased estate sales. When a quad bike forms part of a deceased estate being wound up, a Bill of Sale documents the transfer of the asset and provides evidence for estate administration and accounting purposes.

Financed purchases. Where the buyer is purchasing the quad bike on terms (i.e. deferred payment or instalments), a retention of title clause combined with PPSR registration protects the seller's security interest until the purchase price is paid in full.

What to Include in Your Bill of Sale — ATV / Quad Bike / Side-by-Side (Australia)

A well-drafted Australian ATV / Quad Bike / Side-by-Side Bill of Sale should include the following key elements:

Vehicle identification. The quad bike or SxS should be identified by its type (ATV, SxS/UTV, or three-wheeled ATV), make, model, year of manufacture, VIN, engine number, engine displacement (cc), and colour. The VIN is the primary identifier for PPSR search and registration transfer purposes.

Consumer Safety Standard (Quad Bikes) 2019 compliance. The Bill of Sale should record the safety standard compliance status of the vehicle and whether a compliant OPD (Operator Protection Device) has been fitted. This protects the seller from later claims that the vehicle did not comply with mandatory safety requirements at the time of sale.

Road registration details. If the vehicle is registered for road use, the registration number, expiry date, and state of registration should be recorded, along with the buyer's obligation to transfer registration promptly.

Purchase price and GST treatment. The price must be stated in Australian Dollars (AUD) and the GST treatment clearly specified.

Condition and defect disclosure. The condition of the vehicle at the time of sale should be recorded, and any known defects or issues disclosed.

PPSR acknowledgement. The Bill of Sale should record that a PPSR search was conducted (or that the buyer was given the opportunity to conduct one) and should include a retention of title and PPSA security interest clause where payment is deferred.

What Is a Bill of Sale — ATV / Quad Bike / Side-by-Side (Australia)?

When Do You Need a Bill of Sale — ATV / Quad Bike / Side-by-Side (Australia)?

What to Include in Your Bill of Sale — ATV / Quad Bike / Side-by-Side (Australia)

Frequently Asked Questions

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