Australian Motorcycle Helmet History

1953

The first road motorcycle helmet standard was British Standard 2001: 1953, Protective Helmets for Motor Cyclists and was published.

1959

British Standard 2001: 1953, Protective Helmets for Motor Cyclists was adopted in Australia as Australian Standard E33/1959 - Protective Helmets for Motor Cyclists and remained as the Australian Standard for motorcycle helmets until 1974. During the period 1959 to 1972 there was no requirement to wear a helmet when riding on public roads.

1966

The Standards Association of Australia registered "The Kite Mark" for certification of products to Australian standards. More Info

1968

The Standards Association published AS E33 Second Edition and AS 43 was published.

1972

Wearing a helmet was made mandatory. The regulation stated motorcycle helmets must comply with a recognised standard.

1974

Australia moved to create a standard to be specified and the US Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 (FMVSS 218) commonly called DOT was adopted as AS1698.

The AS1698 standard was published by The Standards Association of Australia and testing and certification of products was done by by the SAA until 2002.

The AS1609 standard "Eye Protection for Motorcyclists" was published by The Standards Association.

1978

The House of Representatives Road Safety Committe released a report on Motorcycle and Bicycle Safety.

AS1698 was mandated under the Trade Practices Act as the Australian Standard for road use. More Info

Customs regulations enacted restricting the importation of motorcycle helmets to AS1698 compliant helmets.

1980

The Standards Association published AS 1698 Second Edition.

1981

AS1609-1981 standard "Eye Protection for Motorcyclists" was published by The Standards Association.

1985

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport Safety released a report on Motorcycle and Bicycle Helmet Safety. The report found problems in the certification of helmets. More Info

1986

Consumer Protection Notice 1986 Product Safety Std: Protective Helmets for Motor Cyclists. More Info

1988

The Standards Association published AS1698-1988 referencing the "Kite Mark" as the Standards Mark.

Under agreement with the Commonwealth the Standards Association agreed to separate their standards setting and conformance assessment divisions. The Standards Association renamed to Standards Australia.

1990

Standards Australia, formed Quality Assurance Services Pty Ltd as a Conformance Assessment Body (CAB).

Under agreement with the Commonwealth the Standards Association allowed the "Kite Mark" certification mark to lapse. It was removed from the trade marks register on 20/6/1991.

ACCC Consumer Protection Notice 9 Product Safety Std: Protective Helmets for Motor Cyclists. More Info

1991

The "kite mark" of the Standards Association was allowed to lapse and the "five ticks" mark was introduced.

1992

Standards Australia released AS1698-1992. The updated standard was then withdrawn.

1996

Customs regulations restricting importation of motorcycle helmets to AS1698 compliant helmets were relaxed.

2003

AS1067 which is referenced by AS1609 is revised and renamed AS/NZS 1067-2003.

2006

AS1698-1988 and NZS5430-1992 were jointly revised and designated as AS/NZS 1698.

Standards Australia published voluntary standard AS/NZS 1698-2006.

2007

Standards Australia published amendment 1 to voluntary standard AS/NZS 1698-2006 in September 2007.

2009

Standards Australia published amendment 2 to voluntary standard AS/NZS 1698-2006 in May 2009.
Standards Australia published amendment 1 to voluntary standard AS/NZS 1067-2003 in June 2009.

2011

Standards Australia published amendment 3 to voluntary standard AS/NZS 1698-2006 in November 2011.

2013

ACCC conducts a review of the mandatory Australian Helmet Standards. The review is not completed by 2015.

2015

Standards Australia holds a seminar on the future of AS1698 in February.
Queensland, Victoria, Northern Territory, NSW and ACT approve the use of UNECE 22.05 Helmets
The Federal Government rescinds ACCC Consumer Protection Notice No 9 as of 28/11/15

2016

Tasmania approved the use of UNECE 22.05 Helmets as of 24 February
Western Australia approved the use of UNECE 22.05 Helmets as of 1 April
South Australia approved UNECE 22.05 Helmets as of 28th April 2016