Public consultation on four key areas of the updated Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) currently before the Queensland Parliament is now open for submissions.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) said the statutory instruments, covering accreditation guidelines, a safety management system standard, a national audit standard and fatigue alternative compliance hours, will underpin the updated law and ensure consistent, practical outcomes across HVNL-participating states and territories.
“These instruments will provide clarity to the NHVR about ministers’ expectations and requirements, and enable the NHVR to finalise operational detail that will provide clarity and certainty for heavy-vehicle businesses of all sizes,” said NTC’s Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner, Michael Hopkins.
NHVR Chief Executive Officer Nicole Rosie said this represents an important milestone for heavy vehicle safety as the industry moves away from a compliance focused approach to improved risk-based safety management outcomes.
“The National Audit Standard was identified by industry as a key outcome of the HVNL review that will deliver national consistency and provide the basis for future streamlining of audits,” Rosie said.
Feedback is invited on the clarity of requirements, suitability for operators of different size and complexity, and any technical or administrative issues that may affect implementation of the laws.
“As we move to a more flexible, risk-based framework, it’s important that the requirements are achievable and that the system continues to encourage both innovation and safety,” Hopkins said.
Following consultation, the NTC and NHVR will review submissions and work with governments to finalise the laws for ministerial approval.
The instruments will be ready to support commencement of the updated HVNL, anticipated for mid-2026.
Stakeholders can read the draft standards and guidelines and have their say by clicking here. Consultation closes on Monday, December 1, with the updated HVNL expected to be ready for commencement by mid-2026.
The NTC is also hosting two hour-long information webinars. The first on November 10 covers the Safety Management System Standard and the National Audit Standard.
The second on November 20 is focused on Heavy Vehicle Accreditation and Fatigue Alternative Compliance Hours.
Both sessions will be recorded and made available here shortly after for anyone unable to attend live.
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