Accreditation transition case studies

The NHVR will manage a phased transition approach to ensure existing NHVAS operators have time to prepare for the new HVA scheme.

This will allow industry to either

• maintain their NHVAS accreditation (dependent on expiry)
• exit
• request extensions where required to support transition (accreditation period can be a maximum of three years).

The case studies below outline the options operators will have depending on the expiry date of their NHVAS modules.

Case study W

Operator W currently holds NHVAS Mass and Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) accreditation. Their accreditation expires on 30 May 2026. Operator W requires Mass Management accreditation to continue to use Higher Mass Limits in Victoria.

Operator W can continue to operate under the NHVAS as their accreditation expiry is prior to 1 July 2026. To do this, they will need to comply with the current requirements to maintain NHVAS accreditation. Operator W will complete a compliance audit and submit an NHVAS maintain application to the NHVR no later than 1 month prior to their accreditation expiry, which for Operator W would be 30 April 2026.

During this time, Operator W can prepare to transition to the new Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (HVA) scheme.

Case study X

Operator X holds NHVAS Mass Management accreditation for the purpose of accessing Concessional Mass Limits (CML) only. Their accreditation expires on 20 June 2026. When the new Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) commences on 1 July 2026 (date is subject to ministerial approval), the General Mass Limits (GML) will be increased to match current CML weights.

This means that Operator X will no longer require accreditation to access the CML weights after 1 July 2026.

Operator X will be required to submit an Exit mass management application in NHVRGo. At the same time, Operator X can also apply to the NHVR to request an extension to their mass management accreditation to cover the period between when Operator X’s accreditation expires and the new law takes effect.

Case study Y

Operator Y has NHVAS Mass and Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) accreditation that expires on 15 January 2027. They have decided to move to the new HVA scheme when their current accreditation expires, but only for Alternative Compliance Accreditation (ACA) - Fatigue because they do not require mass management accreditation for any notices or permits.

Operator Y will apply for GSA and ACA - Fatigue at the same time. They select the most suitable BFM-equivalent work and rest template from NHVRGo, which provides pre-defined work and rest hours.

Operator Y commenced the transition process early (prior to expiry) but identified that they needed additional time to finalise the process. Operator Y can apply to the NHVR to request an extension to their NHVAS BFM management accreditation and ensure that they still retain their existing concessions until they have been granted HVA scheme accreditation.

Operator Y creates an establish accreditation application in NHVRGo and completes the auditor request, which includes selecting an HVA Approved Auditor, audit date and audit location/s. Once the audit date and location/s are accepted by the auditor the application is reviewed and approved by the NHVR, the audit then proceeds. The completed audit report, including a statement from the auditor confirming the Safety Management System (SMS) complies with the SMS Standard, is uploaded to the application in NHVRGo. The application is then submitted for assessment by the NHVR.

Note: the HVA statutory instruments are currently being finalised ahead of seeking ministerial approval. The NHVR will provide further details on audit timings and transition options that seek to reduce audit burden for NHVAS operators.

Case Study Z

Operator Z currently holds NHVAS Maintenance accreditation. Their accreditation expires on 3 August 2026.

Operator Z would have received notification from the NHVR that they could elect to maintain their NHVAS accreditation as their accreditation expires prior to 12 December 2026. To maintain their accreditation, Operator Z will need to complete a compliance audit and submit an NHVAS maintain application prior to 12 June 2026.

Once their maintain application has been assessed and approved, their NHVAS accreditation will be maintained. During this time, Operator Z can prepare to transition to the new HVA Scheme prior to the expiry of their NHVAS accreditation.

Case Study U

Operator U has NHVAS Maintenance and Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) accreditation. Their maintenance accreditation expires on 23 September 2026 and BFM expires on 15 January 2027.

Operator U would have received notification from the NHVR with the option to  maintain their NHVAS accreditation as their maintenance accreditation expires prior to 12 December 2026. In this situation where the current NHVAS accreditation modules have different expiry dates, the operator has 2 options:

Option 1: Move the BFM accreditation expiry date to align with the maintenance accreditation and maintain NHVAS

Operator U can contact the NHVR to request the alignment of their Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) accreditation to the expiry date of their maintenance management accreditation expiring 23 September 2026. Once the request has been assessed and approved, Operator U will complete a compliance audit and submit an NHVAS maintain application prior to 12 June 2026.

Option 2: Maintain the maintenance accreditation until the BFM expires, then transition HVA

To maintain their maintenance accreditation, Operator U can complete a compliance audit application and submit an NHVAS maintain application prior to 12 June 2026.

Prior to the expiry of their NHVAS BFM accreditation, which expires on 15 January 2027, Operator U can prepare to transition to the new HVA scheme. Note that both maintenance and BFM management accreditation will need to be transitioned to the new HVA scheme on expiry of their BFM accreditation expiry.