New rules came into effect for quad bikes last Friday.
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Within 12 months, all quad bikes are required to have a visible and legible rollover warning label; information must be provided in the owner's manual or information handbook about the risk of rollover, and; quad bikes must be tested for stability with the results displayed at the point of sale.
Quad bikes will also have to meet US and European standards for equipment, speed capability, and brake performance.
In two years, all new general use quad bikes must be fitted with an operator protection device, such as a quad bar or lifeguard. The new requirements will also mean quad bikes must meet minimum stability requirements.
The safety standard does not apply to second-hand quad bikes, other than those imported into Australia after the commencement of the safety standard.
The decision was announced by the federal government's assistant treasurer Michael Sukkar on October 10.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission commissioner Mick Keogh said that rollover protection bars will improve the safety of quad bikes and protect the operator.
"We know that around 60 per cent of quad bike fatalities are caused by rollovers, and the operator dies from asphyxia in around half of these," Mr Keogh said.
There have been at least 128 fatalities during 2011-18 and it is estimated that six people present to an emergency department each day, of which two are admitted to hospital with serious injuries. Around 15 per cent of deaths involve children.
"Research indicates that roughly 50pc of these operators would have survived the crash had they not been crushed or pinned by the quad bike."
The chair of the Yass Branch of NSW Farmers, Carolina Merriman, supported safety outcomes for farmers but was disappointed by the new standards.
Ms Merriman said research into the safety of operator protection devices, or roll bars, is incomplete.
"It depends on how the quad bike falls as to whether the roll bar saves the rider," she said. "If a roll bar comes into effect, there may be an inexperienced driver on the quad bike."
She said encouraging farmers to use alternatives and teaching safer practices would benefit the industry.
"There could be other focuses on providing safety measures."
Safework NSW includes one drone rebate per eligible business in the quad bike safety rebate package and "helmets are necessary," she said.
"A driver needs the training to be able to ride a quad bike and there need to be more grants for quad bike safety training for farm vehicle usage so that there are safer outcomes."
She also encouraged farmers and families to keep children under 15 years' old off quad bikes.
"It's great that the government is looking for new solutions to farm safety, but to control the agricultural companies and suppliers to install roll bars isn't the best way," Ms Merriman said.
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