Australia doesn’t get much snow, but the slice of country that does — the NSW Snowy Mountains and the Victorian High Country — has some of the strictest chain rules you’ll meet anywhere. The catch is that the two states play by different books. Rock up to a Victorian resort in a 4WD without chains in the boot and you can be fined, even though the same vehicle is exempt from carrying them under NSW national park regulations. This guide sorts out who needs what, where, and how to fit chains without hurting yourself on an icy road.

Do you legally need snow chains in Australia?

In the declared alpine areas, yes — carrying chains is a legal requirement, not a suggestion, and in some locations driving without them fitted when directed is against the law. Who must carry them depends on the state and the drivetrain. The rules are enforced: NSW Police and authorised officers run regular chain inspections at the NSW resorts, and Victoria Police patrol the resort entry roads. Fit-when-directed is the universal rule — you carry chains so you can fit them the moment variable message signs, an authorised officer or resort staff tell you to.

Where are snow chains required?

The two chain jurisdictions that matter for most Australians are Kosciuszko National Park in NSW and the five declared Victorian alpine resorts. The headline difference: Victoria requires every vehicle to carry chains, while NSW only compels 2WD cars to.

New South Wales: Kosciuszko National Park

Under NSW national park rules, 2WD vehicles entering Kosciuszko must carry snow chains between the June and October long weekends. 4WD and AWD vehicles and those on snow or winter tyres aren’t required to carry chains under the regulations, but the official advice is still to carry them and fit them on ice and snow — conditions turn fast, and a modern AWD on summer rubber is no match for black ice. The chain-required roads are Kosciuszko Road from the park boundary at Thredbo River up to Perisher Valley, the Alpine Way between Thredbo and Tom Groggin, and the full length of Island Bend/Guthega Road.

Victoria: the High Country resorts

Victoria is blunter: all vehicles entering Falls Creek, Mt Baw Baw, Mt Buller, Mt Hotham and Mt Stirling must carry snow chains at all times during the declared snow season, which for 2026 runs 6 June to 6 September. That includes 4WDs. Only diamond-pattern chains are accepted — ladder chains, spider chains and snow socks can’t be used at any resort. Lake Mountain sets its carrying requirement daily based on conditions. Non-compliance can mean an infringement notice or a penalty of 20 penalty units.

Which vehicles must carry chains, and on which wheels?

When you’re directed to fit chains, they go on the drive wheels — the wheels your engine actually turns. For a front-wheel-drive car that’s the front pair; for rear-wheel drive, the rear pair. For a 4WD, Victoria’s rule lets you fit to either the front or rear axle when directed. Not every tyre-and-guard combination can take chains — some low-profile or tightly packaged fitments don’t have the clearance — so check your owner’s manual before you travel. If you’re weighing up tyres for alpine trips more broadly, our guides to the best tyres for alpine driving and whether you need winter tyres in Australia are worth a read before the season.

What type of snow chains do you need?

Chains must suit your tyre size and your vehicle’s clearance, so match them to the exact tyre size printed on your sidewall — if you’re unsure how to read it, see our guide to reading a tyre sidewall. Victoria mandates diamond-pattern chains, which grip and ride better than old ladder-style chains and are the safest bet nationwide. Hire outlets along the resort access roads rent chains and will size them for you, which is the easy option if you only head to the snow once a year.

How do you fit snow chains safely?

Fitting chains on a live, icy road is where people get hurt. Do it in a designated chain bay wherever possible. The official NSW steps are worth memorising:

1. When signs or officers direct, drive safely to the next chain fitting bay rather than stopping in a traffic lane.
2. If you must fit on the roadside, choose a straight, visible stretch with room to park off the carriageway and switch on your hazard lights.
3. Do not jack up the car to fit chains — it’s dangerous on ice. Kneel on a waterproof blanket or groundsheet and work the chain around the tyre.
4. Make sure the chains are tight and secure with no loose ends flapping against the bodywork.
5. Drive on, then retension the chains after about 200 metres — they bed in and loosen as you go.
6. Remove chains as soon as signage says it’s safe; running chains on bare bitumen wrecks them and the road.

Practise fitting your chains in the driveway before you leave home. Doing it for the first time in sleet with numb fingers and a queue building behind you is nobody’s idea of fun. Fit chains after parking too, even if you didn’t need them on the way in, because snow can fall overnight.

How fast can you drive with chains fitted?

Slowly. NSW advises that cars on radial tyres should not exceed 40 km/h with chains fitted. Chains change how the car steers and brakes, and overspeeding snaps links and flicks them into your guards and brake lines. Keep gentle on the throttle and leave big gaps — the same unhurried approach that keeps you out of trouble on soft sand applies on snow. If you’re choosing all-terrain rubber for a vehicle that sees both snow trips and dirt, our all-terrain vs highway-terrain vs mud-terrain comparison explains what the 3PMSF snowflake symbol actually buys you.

Frequently asked questions

Do 4WDs need to carry snow chains in Australia?
In Victoria, yes — all vehicles including 4WDs must carry diamond-pattern chains at the five declared resorts during the snow season. In NSW’s Kosciuszko National Park, 4WDs and AWDs aren’t required to carry chains under park regulations, but it’s strongly recommended and you can still be directed to fit them.

Can I be fined for not carrying snow chains?
Yes. Victoria can issue an infringement notice or a penalty of up to 20 penalty units, and NSW advises that fines apply and that police run regular chain inspections. In some locations it’s an offence to drive without chains fitted when directed.

Which wheels do snow chains go on?
Always the drive wheels — front on a FWD car, rear on a RWD car. On a 4WD in Victoria you may fit to either the front or rear axle when directed.

How fast can I drive with chains on?
On radial tyres, no faster than 40 km/h. Chains alter steering and braking and will self-destruct at speed.

Are snow socks or ladder chains allowed?
Not at the Victorian resorts — only diamond-pattern chains are accepted there. Ladder chains, spider chains and snow socks are banned.

Rules, dates and penalties change each season. Confirm current requirements with the NSW Government’s snow driving advice and the Victorian Alpine Resorts wheel chain requirements before you travel.