Road managers
Accessibility tools
The HVA scheme promotes a whole-of-business approach to managing transport safety activities. It supports a shift from prescriptive compliance toward evidence-based safety assurance. The scheme better supports operators to demonstrate how risks are identified, managed and continuously improved across their operations.
A modern approach to accreditation
The scheme introduces a nationally consistent, tiered accreditation framework that supports operators with different levels of safety maturity.
The framework includes:
- General Safety Accreditation (GSA) – the foundational level of accreditation that recognises operators with an effective and compliant Safety Management System (SMS).
- Alternative Compliance Accreditation (ACA) – advanced accreditation pathways that allow eligible operators to access alternative approaches to compliance where they can demonstrate equivalent or improved safety outcomes.
Operators must achieve GSA before accessing ACA pathways.
Safety Management Systems at the centre
At the core of the HVA scheme is the requirement for operators to implement and maintain a Safety Management System (SMS).
Operators are expected to demonstrate that their SMS is embedded in day-to-day operations and is actively monitored, reviewed, and improved over time.
Why become accredited?
Accreditation helps operators demonstrate that safety is key to the way they manage their business.
Benefits may include:
- increased confidence from customers and supply chain partners
- stronger organisational safety performance
- improved internal governance and accountability
- greater transparency and consistency across operations.
