same in QLD - they take it off you and keep it especailly if you have it pulled whilst in court.
drive around without one up here and you get one of two things:
locked up for a few days
further loss for two years or more.
been there done that - not nice. though if you still wish to be an idoit and try - by all means bring a big jar of vaseline. you are going to need it.
further point to all of this, if you fcuk up and damage a car orkill someone whilst driving around up here unlicenced the owness is on you to pay for your fcuk up and not the insurance company.
if you do decide to still do it - stay the hell away from me and my kid.