First supply
The Department, through Vehicle Safety Standards, regulates the first supply of all vehicles to the Australian market (i.e. when vehicles enter the Australian market). The Australian Design Rules are national standards for vehicle safety, anti-theft and emissions, which all vehicles in Australia must comply with when they first enter the Australian market. The Department has, in collaboration with the National Transport Commission, drafted an Australian Design Rule (referred to as ADR90/01) for vehicles with an automated steering system. Public consultation on ADR90/01 is currently closed. More information on ADR90/01 is available at the links below:
In-service safety law
Infrastructure and transport ministers, through the biannual Infrastructure and Transport Ministers’ Meeting, have agreed on a national approach to regulating automated vehicles. In line with the National in-service safety framework for automated vehicles developed by the National Transport Commission, this will involve the development of a new Commonwealth law, the Automated Vehicle Safety Law. The law will deliver a nationally consistent regulatory approach to enable the safe operation of automated vehicles when they are deployed on Australian roads. More information about previous work on in-service safety for automated vehicles can be found on the National Transport Commission’s website.
The department will work with the National Transport Commission and state and territory governments to progress this work. The Automated Vehicle Safety Law is anticipated to commence by 2026.
Infrastructure and transport ministers will make further decisions about this program of work through future Infrastructure and Transport Ministers’ Meetings.