From 1 December 2026, Queensland will introduce tougher penalties for drink and drug driving as part of a broader effort to reduce the state’s road toll.
While these reforms apply only to people using Queensland roads, they also reinforce an important workplace principle: being fit for duty. Just as on Queensland roads, alcohol and drug impairment significantly increases the risks of operating vehicles, machinery and performing hazardous tasks.
In this blog, we’ll look at the upcoming changes on Queensland roads, as well as the relevance for workplaces.
Tougher penalties coming for failing Queensland roadside drug and alcohol testing
According to the Queensland Government, the roadside reforms are designed to target the behaviours that contribute most to serious crashes and fatalities on Queensland roads. The Government says the changes are intended to strengthen deterrence, increase accountability for dangerous drivers and ultimately save lives.
From 1 December 2026, Queensland will introduce several significant road safety reforms, including:
- Penalties for drink driving and drug driving offences will be doubled.
- Harsher penalties for drivers found to be affected by both alcohol and drugs at the same time.
- Mandatory minimum fines imposed by courts for drink and drug driving offences.
- Immediate six-month licence suspensions for drivers caught travelling more than 40 km/h over the speed limit.
- There are also changes to seatbelt enforcement.
In addition, a second stage of reforms are planned for 2027, including streamlined roadside drug testing processes, mandatory education programs for repeat drug-driving offenders and stronger enforcement of camera-detected seatbelt offences.
“By increasing penalties and prioritising victims, these reforms strike the right balance – holding offenders to account while helping prevent the devastating impacts dangerous driving can have on our families and communities,” says Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington.
“The message is simple but powerful: if you knowingly put lives at risk on Queensland roads, expect serious consequences.”
You can find out more about the roadside drug and alcohol testing changes on the Queensland Government website.
Fit for duty applies both on the road and at work, but the consequences differ
For workplaces, a key takeaway of the upcoming roadside drug and alcohol testing changes is the importance of fit for duty. The dangers of being under the influence in a safety-focused workplace are much the same as on the roads.
But what about the consequences in Queensland workplaces? What happens if an employee fails workplace drug and alcohol testing?
The consequences in a Queensland workplace can be very different. That’s because, unlike road laws, there is no single outcome that applies to every workplace. The consequences depend primarily on the employer’s drug and alcohol policy, as well as the employee’s previous disciplinary history.
In general, workers in industries where high safety risks are involved (such as aviation, transport, rail, mining and other safety-critical industries) may face more serious disciplinary action. This can include possible termination of employment, if they fail or refuse a workplace drug and alcohol test. These industries often have zero-tolerance approaches because workers must be fit for duty whenever they perform safety-critical tasks.
Other workplaces may take a more supportive approach, particularly where it is a first offence. Depending on the employer’s policy, a failed test could result in:
- A formal warning.
- Removal from safety-critical duties until the worker is fit for duty.
- Mandatory education or awareness training.
- Referral to counselling or an employee assistance program.
- Participation in return-to-work programs.
- Ongoing monitoring or follow-up testing.
Every workplace should clearly explain these processes within its workplace drug and alcohol policy and communicate the consequences to employees.
Creating safer Queensland workplaces through fit for duty
Queensland’s new road safety laws reinforce an important principle that also applies in the workplace: people should be fit for duty whenever they perform tasks that could place themselves or others at risk.
In the workplace, clear policies, employee education and professional workplace drug and alcohol testing help organisations reduce risk, meet their legal obligations and support a strong fit for duty culture.
At Integrity Sampling, we help Queensland businesses develop effective fit for duty and workplace drug and alcohol management programs. Through professional testing, policy development and employee education, we help Queensland employers build safer workplaces and reduce the risks associated with alcohol and other drugs.
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Tougher penalties are coming on Queensland roads, particularly for drug and alcohol testing infringements. Does this have any relevance in our workplaces?
