The Federal election was called on 28 March 2025. As this website is hosted by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, the site will only be updated with material in line with the Caretaker Conventions. Please note that the content of this site relates to the Australian Government’s existing policy.

Road Vehicle Standards legislation

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About the RVS legislation

The Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA) replaced the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (MVSA). The operational aspects of the RVSA are contained in the Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019 (the Rules). The RVSA, the Rules and other related legislation are collectively referred to as the Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) legislation.

The RVS legislation and its regulatory framework was implemented on 1 July 2021. It sets nationally consistent standards for the safety, environmental and anti-theft performance of all road vehicles being provided to the Australian market for the first time. This includes both new and used vehicles.

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Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019

On 13 February 2019, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, made the Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019 (the Rules), under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA).

The Rules are available on the Federal Register of Legislation and cover the operational aspects of the RVSA, including:

  • the information to be entered on the Register of Approved Vehicles (the RAV)
  • the requirements of the two entry pathways—vehicle type approval and concessional RAV entry approval
  • granting approvals for each pathway
  • granting registered automotive workshop approvals
  • granting Model Report approvals
  • granting authorised vehicle verifier approvals
  • granting testing facility approvals
  • entering vehicles on the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles Register
  • granting approvals to permit road vehicles to be imported into Australia
  • granting road vehicle component type approvals
  • detailing powers to vary, suspend or revoke approvals
  • establishing the framework for road vehicle and approved road vehicle component recalls
  • publishing approvals and their variation, suspension or revocation.

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Road Vehicle Standards package of legislation

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Road Vehicle Standards Determinations

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