Minister for Housing and Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar made the announcement which he said will reduce the frequency of rollovers and provide increased protection to operators.

Since 2011, on average 16 people a year are killed in a quad bike accident, and an estimated six people a day present to an emergency hospital department with at least two of these admitted with serious injuries.

"Quad bikes are the leading cause of fatalities in Australia of all consumer products that aren't regulated," Mr Sukkar said.

"This safety standard aims to address the high risk of rollovers, which is especially important for many of our farmers and their families who use these vehicles daily."

Within 12 months, all new quad bikes will be required to:

Within 24 months, all new general use model (utility) quad bikes will be required to:

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will also work alongside Standards Australia as industry develops their own specifications for the safety of rollbars.

The ACCC has undertaken extensive consultation including with farmers, consumer groups, retailers, manufacturers, health and medical experts. The majority of stakeholders who made submissions supported a new mandatory safety standard.

"Importantly, these requirements will put the onus on foreign manufacturers to supply safer quad bikes into Australia, and protect Australian farmers and others who use them."

Further information about the new standard will be available on the Product Safety Australia website.