Visor requirements are set in the helmet standard but can be overridden by gazetting a variation. The two helmet standards specified in state and federal regulations, AS1698-1988 & AS/NZS1698-2006 both specify AS1609 as a visor standard.
Since the helmet standards are both later standards than the visor standard it could be argued that "a reasonable person"
would conclude the current AS1609 standard, AS1609-1981 would apply & tinted visors are legal.
The full AS1609 specification cannot be published here so only the relevant extracts are provided
The standard covers attributes like stability at elevated & lower temperatures, mechanical strength, skin irritation, ventilation, ease of operation etc, mostly very dry reading and in some respects outdated in terms of modern attachment methods & coatings.
The helmet standard AS1698-1988 mandated by the ACCC under Consumer Protection Notice 9 states visors fitted to helmets must meet Australian Standard AS1609-1981. This is a variation from the voluntary AS1698-1988 standard which states AS1609.
AS1609-1981 allows the limited use of tinted and graduated visors & does not specify that a "Standards Mark" label be placed on the visor, at the time this standard was written the label was an option which could be licenced for use from Standards Australia. Packaging, Wrapping and Brochures only are required to have informative labelling.
AS1609-1981 requires marking with the manufacturer, model of helmet the visor is designed to fit & embossed clear or tinted.
AS1609-1981 specifies visors as clear or tinted by the following criteria
Clear Lenses are considered "clear" if they have a luminance transmittance of not less than 85%.
Tinted Lenses are permitted if they have a luminance transmittance of not less than 50%.
Gradient-density lenses are permitted if they have a luminance transmittance of not less than 50%
The standard notes, "visors assembled with a tinted strip positioned outside the normal field of view do not require specific labelling. However, the tinted area must comply with the prescribed coloration requirements & optical performance."
AS1609-1981 also states the visor must meet the coloration & luminous density requirements for AS1067, the standard for sun glass lenses. This is where the visor optical properties are really set. AS1067 became AS/NZS1067 in 2003 & updated in 2009.
Only "integral" visors forming "a single congruous whole with a helmet" are required to be clear under AS1609-1981.
The AS1609-1981 standard does not require the Australian Standard No on the visor.
Note
UNECE 22.05 Visor Regulations specify visors as clear if they have a luminance transmittance of 80% or more & allow tinted visors with a luminance transmittance between 50% and 80%. There is no reference to "integral visors".
The regulations have been updated to cover surface treatments & mist retardant treatments unlike AS1609.
In the EU they are suffering problems with non compliant visors in the market place & are acting on it. The proposal includes allowing integral sun screens in helmets & lower luminance transmittance visors.