What is changing with NHVAS?

From mid-2026, the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) will be progressively replaced by the new Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (HVA) scheme. This change is part of the implementation of the 2025 Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill.

NHVAS and HVA will operate in parallel during the transition period, providing operators time to transition to the new scheme until all NHVAS accreditation expiry dates are completed.

Disclaimer: The NHVR is working towards a commencement date of 1 July 2026; however, this timing is indicative only and subject to Ministerial approval of Standards.

Who is managing the transition to the new HVA scheme?

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) will manage the transition through a phased approach of up to three years (maximum accreditation period), allowing operators sufficient time to move from NHVAS to the HVA scheme.

Do operators need to transition to the HVA scheme immediately once the amended law commences?

No, operators will not be required to transition to the new HVA scheme immediately when the amended law commences. The NHVAS and HVA scheme will operate concurrently during the transition period. However, operators can only be accredited in one scheme at a time.

What happens to the NHVAS accreditations?

Existing NHVAS accreditations remain valid until their current expiry date. In some cases, the NHVR may consider extensions on a case-by-case basis where additional time is needed to transition.

Will support be available to help operators transition?

Safety Management System (SMS) tools and guidance material will be made available to support operators transitioning to the new HVA scheme.

What is the purpose of the transition approach?

The transition approach is designed to:

• Give operators adequate time to meet new HVA requirements; and
• Allow operators, where possible, to continue using their NHVAS accreditation while preparing for the new HVA scheme.

What is the transition process for operators whose NHVAS accreditation expires before the amended law commences in mid-2026?

These operators will receive a reminder to complete their compliance audit and submit an NHVAS 'maintain application' at least one month prior to their accreditation expiry or prior to 12 June 2026.

What if an operator’s NHVAS accreditation expires after the amended law commences in mid-2026?

Operators whose accreditation expires before 12 December 2026 will be invited to complete their NHVAS compliance audit and submit a 'maintain application' before 12 June 2026. This aligns with the NHVAS Business Rules and Standards, allowing audits up to six months before accreditation expiry or transition to the new HVA scheme.

What if I have different NHVAS module audit expiry dates?

Several NHVAS operators have modules that do not have the same expiry date, i.e. when a module has been addeda year after their initial accreditation was granted.

For operators with modules expiring on different dates, the first expiry date will trigger the transition approach that is used. The NHVR will be seeking that operators align modules to one common expiry date in preparation for transition to the new HVA scheme.

What if I miss a deadline?

If you miss a deadline or your accreditation expires, your NHVAS accreditation benefits will cease from the expiry date. You will need to contact NHVR as soon as possible to discuss options. Operations relying on accreditation (e.g. HML, PBS) cannot continue without accreditation.

What support is available for operators with accreditations expiring after December 2026?

SMS tools and guidance will be provided to support operators. Where necessary, accreditation extensions may be considered on a case-by-case basis prior to expiry, ensuring sufficient time to meet HVA requirements.

What are the main structural changes under the HVA scheme?

The HVA scheme introduces a tiered accreditation framework:

• General Safety Accreditation (GSA)
  • A Safety Management System audit.
• Alternative Compliance Accreditation (ACA)
  • Mass
  • BFM and AFM are effectively merged into fatigue alternative compliance accreditation.
• Alternative Maintenance accreditation will remain, whereby operators with Maintenance accreditation will be exempt from annual vehicle exemptions in applicable states only. Access to Maintenance will be provided through obtaining GSA and meeting additional maintenance related requirements (similar to an ACA).

How does the HVA scheme differ from NHVAS in terms of audits?

Under NHVAS, audits focus on specific modules (Mass, Fatigue and Maintenance). Under the HVA scheme, operators are audited against a whole-of-business Safety Management System (SMS).

An operator who seeks Alternative Compliance Accreditation - Fatigue will also be audited in relation to how they safely manage their transport activities, including public risks such as maintenance and mass compliance.

What is General Safety Accreditation (GSA)?

GSA is achieved through a successful whole-of-business SMS audit. It is a prerequisite for accessing alternative compliance options, but does not provide regulatory concessions on its own. GSA will audit all safety aspects, including elements of maintenance, mass and fatigue management, as well as other transport operations, regardless of which alternative compliance accreditation options the operator is in.

What are the Standards for GSA?

The Standards that will apply for GSA are set out in the ministerially approved Safety Management System Standard 2026, which has five broad categories, including:

• Leadership and Commitment
• Risk Management
• People
• Assurance, Monitoring and Improvement
• Safety Systems.

How do operators access Alternative Compliance Accreditation (ACA) under the HVA scheme?

To access alternative compliance arrangements, operators must:

• Hold GSA, which they must submit at the same time, or prior to, seeking ACA, and
• Meet and be audited against additional requirements relevant to the alternative compliance sought.

What does the change mean for Mass Management accreditation?

• General Mass Limits (GML) will increase to align with Concessional Mass Limits (CML). CML will be discontinued.
• Accreditation will no longer be required to access current CML weights.
• Alternative Compliance Accreditation – Mass will still be required for certain notices and schemes, such as Higher Mass Limits (HML) and Performance Based Standards (PBS). Operators requiring these will need to transition to HVA in line with the transition approach.

What does the change mean for Maintenance Management accreditation?

Alternative Maintenance accreditation will remain, whereby operators with Maintenance accreditation will be exempt from annual vehicle exemptions in applicable states only. Access to Maintenance will be provided through obtaining GSA and meeting additional maintenance related requirements (similar to an ACA).

What does the change mean for Fatigue Management (BFM and AFM)?

BFM and AFM will transition to a single, performance-based fatigue accreditation model (Alternative Compliance Accreditation for Fatigue). Operators can select work and rest hours that suit their operations within outer limits.

Templated work and rest tables, including BFM equivalent and common AFM work and rest hour options will be available. Templated work and rest hours have been based on schedules that industry has used successfully for years; they reflect real operating conditions that have been shown to effectively manage fatigue.

The templates provide operators with safe and reliable pathways to fatigue alternative compliance accreditation, reducing the time and effort required for operators to develop bespoke work and rest hours.

What will happen to my NHVAS accreditation labels?

Operators transitioning from NHVAS to the HVA schemewill receive new HVA labels when their accreditation is granted. Accreditation labels are only issued for vehicles participating in Mass and Maintenance accreditation.

Will the Police be trained on the new HVA to support consistent enforcement?

NHVR will provide training for all police agencies on the new HVA and the transition arrangements to ensure consistent and informed enforcement as far as possible.

Will Auditors be retrained and accredited to handle the HVA?

Yes. All approved auditors will be required to complete training in the new HVA scheme and SMS framework so they can confidently apply the new audit requirements. The intent is to ensure a consistent standard of practice across the auditor workforce.

Does the NHVR have enough Approved Auditors?

We currently have sufficient auditors to manage existing demand; however, modelling shows we may need to grow the auditor pool to manage the uplift expected under the HVA reforms. The NHVR is addressing this through attraction initiatives, updated onboarding processes, and targeted support for new and transitioning auditors.

Will the NHVR approve the allocation of Auditors to undertake operators’ audits?

As part of the ‘Establish GSA’ application process, the operator will nominate an auditor, date and location/s. Once the auditor accepts the request, the NHVR will assess, and where approved, a notification will be provided to both the operator and auditor. The NHVR may request the operator to select another auditor or nominate an auditor as part of the HVA assurance program.

When will operators start receiving communications about the transition?

Direct communication with affected NHVAS operators will commence in late February, using multiple channels including NHVR Go, newsletters, the NHVR website, industry associations and social media.

Where can operators get more information or ask questions?

Operators can contact the NHVR Contact Centre on 13 NHVR (13 64 87).

Additional guidance materials and an HVA guide will be released in the coming weeks.