Adjust font size:

Regulatory Impact Statement into a National Framework for Regulation, Registration and Licensing of Heavy Vehicles

In July 2009 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed that a single national heavy vehicle regulator will be established at the end of 2012 to regulate all vehicles over 4.5 gross tonnes, ending the separate and at times conflicting regulatory imposts on the heavy vehicle industry. The COAG's agreement followed the Australian Transport Council's (ATC) endorsement of the reform proposal in May 2009.

COAG's decision followed a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) process that investigated a framework for a single national system for heavy vehicle regulation consisting of:

• a single regulation entity to administer a body of national heavy vehicle laws;
• a national heavy vehicle registration scheme;
• a consistent approach to minimum standards for heavy vehicle driver competency and testing and to heavy vehicle driver training school recognition;
• a single physical national heavy vehicle driver license; and
• a body of national heavy vehicle laws that would be an aggregate of existing heavy vehicle laws.

The RIS process also included public consultation from December 2008 to February 2009 and again in April 2009. That consultation informed the final RIS which was completed in May 2009. It includes a summary of the key issues raised and commentary provided through the public/industry consultation process.

Download a copy of the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) [PDF: 1477 KB]

The RIS COAG considered does not necessarily represent the final outcomes that will be developed and agreed as Governments progress the reform process.

Since COAG's agreement to proceed with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, governments have been working together on a range of key governance matters that will support the operation of the new national system which is to be in place at the end of 2012.

Importantly, they have also been working on the development of a communications strategy that will provide a strong platform for industry engagement. The whole of industry is encouraged to be involved in and have input into these reforms and all governments will be talking to industry commencing in 2010 and continuing throughout the reforms as they progress.

Information on the reforms can be gained through the road or transport agency in each state and territory or by contacting:

Tanya Cullen
Director, Regulatory Reform
02 6274 6503
Tanya.Cullen@infrastructure.gov.au