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The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has updated South Australia's grain transport mass exemption notice to provide greater clarity for operators ahead of the 2026 harvest season, while maintaining the access arrangements relied on by industry.
Subject to the commencement of the amended Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) on 1 August 2026, the South Australia Class 3 Grain Transport Mass Exemption Notice 2026 (No. 1) will replace the current South Australia Farm Gate Grain Transport Mass Exemption Notice 2025 (No. 1).
NHVR Director of Service Delivery Steven Miller said the notice has been updated to align with the HVNL reforms and in turn would support the safe and efficient movement of grain while helping operators understand their requirements under the amended law.
"South Australia's grain industry produces approximately 7.9 million tonnes of grain each year and contributes around $4 billion to Australia's gross food revenue, making reliable and efficient transport critical to the state's agricultural supply chain," Mr Miller said.
"This update ensures operators have a clearer, easier-to-use notice ahead of harvest, while maintaining the access arrangements that support the movement of grain across South Australia.
"The changes are about improving clarity and usability, not changing the way industry operates, with existing access arrangements and key operational requirements remaining unchanged."
The updated notice includes changes to improve readability and make requirements easier for operators to understand, including:
- specifying mass limits directly in the notice, rather than as percentage increases above prescribed mass limits, supported by mass tables and an axle mass and spacing appendix
- replacing the previous paddock and trip condition with a period of travel condition applying from October to January, aligning with the South Australian grain harvest period.
Mr Miller said maintaining clear and practical guidance was important as industry prepared for the amended HVNL.
"Clear guidance helps operators understand their responsibilities and supports safer, more productive freight movements," he said.
"While the notice has been improved, operators and all parties in the supply chain must continue to meet their obligations under the HVNL, including Chain of Responsibility (CoR) requirements."
The NHVR has commenced consultation with South Australian road managers to seek consent before the notice comes into effect.
The notice maintains existing access arrangements for eligible vehicle combinations as specified in the notice and relevant NHVR network requirements. South Australian commodity routes published in the NHVR National Network Map are not approved for Higher Mass Limits (HML) operation.
The notice does not remove operators’ obligations under the HVNL, including CoR, load restraint, or mass and dimension requirements. Operators should continue to make reasonable efforts during loading to avoid exceeding normal mass limits, noting grain receivers may apply separate receival conditions.