Telematics and intelligent access programs

This page provides information to operators about enrolment in various intelligent access programs, when it is a condition of a permit or notice.

On this page:

What are intelligent access programs?

An intelligent access program, as defined under Chapter 7, section 401 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), is a program allowing heavy vehicles to have access, or improved access, to the road network in return for monitoring by an approved intelligent transport system, of their compliance with stated access conditions. This is achieved through the integrated use of information and communication technologies to transmit, store and receive data.

Telematics is a method of monitoring vehicles by using GPS technology and on-board diagnostics to plot the vehicle’s movements. 

Developed in partnership with all Australian road agencies, these technologies allow participating operators access – or improved access – to the road network, in return for monitoring and compliance with road manager access conditions.

In line with their powers under the HVNL, Transport Certification Australia (TCA) approves intelligent transport systems for the following intelligent access programs: 

  1. Intelligent Access Program (IAP) 
  2. Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) with optional Smart On-Board Mass 
  3. Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) applications

Intelligent access programs enable operators to access roads or bridges, operate at greater masses, or use larger and heavier vehicles than would otherwise be available. They provide road managers with the confidence and assurance that heavy vehicles are complying with their road access conditions.

Please note: If IAP is required as a condition under an access permit or notice, operators must be enrolled in IAP, and have an In-Vehicle Unit (IVU) fitted and operational, before travel. It is an offence to operate a vehicle that does not comply with an IAP condition of a permit or notice. This applies to jurisdictions under the authority of the NHVR. For other jurisdictions (Northern Territory and Western Australia), please contact the relevant state or territory road transport authority.

For more information visit Transport Certification Australia (TCA) - Intelligent Access Program.

Intelligent Access Program (IAP)

The Intelligent Access Program is an application that manages higher risk vehicles and loads on the road network. It monitors heavy vehicle operations against conditions of access set by road managers or regulators.

Location, time and identity are remotely monitored using satellite tracking and wireless communication technology via the In-Vehicle Unit (IVU). An optional feature is the self-declaration of data through a user interface. Road agencies receive this data when a vehicle operates outside the permitted access networks or conditions, and a Non-compliance Report (NCR) is issued. NCRs are reviewed and, if validated, may result in further action taken in line with the Intelligent Transport System Compliance Framework.

Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA)

Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) is offered in New South Wales and Victoria as an alternative to IAP for some vehicle types, and in Queensland as a requirement for eligible Class 2 and some specified Class 3 heavy vehicles.

Visit TCA - Telematics Monitoring Application for further information about eligible vehicles and applying for TMA.

Smart On-Board Mass (Smart OBM)

Smart On-Board Mass (OBM) may only be operated in conjunction with the TMA.

Smart OBM is a requirement for:

  • high-productivity freight vehicles operating in Victoria
  • some Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles operating in New South Wales
  • eligible Class 2 and some specified Class 3 heavy vehicles operating in Queensland.

Please check the relevant notice for your vehicle type to confirm the requirements for Smart OBM.

Visit TCA - Smart OBM for more information and to apply for Smart OBM

Road Infrastructure Management (RIM)

RIM is an application that collects data on location, time and identity from enrolled vehicles, then monitors road asset utilisation for asset planning and network management.

Analysis and reports will include aggregated and de-identified data and show trends across a network.

Note: Some vehicles may also be enrolled in other schemes of telematics applications. Enrolment in a RIM PBS scheme does not supersede enrolment in other schemes when required by a gazette or permit.

Visit TCA -  Road Infrastructure Management for more information and to apply for RIM.

Intelligent Transport System Compliance Framework

The Intelligent Transport System Compliance Framework (PDF, 985 KB) is a regulatory national framework, aiming to provide transparency to industry on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) approach to obtaining and using data from intelligent access programs.

What are the levels of assurance?

TCA supports three broad levels of assurance to cater for the different needs of stakeholders in digital technology and data.

  • Level 3 assurance can be relied upon for enforcement purposes. It is prima facie evidence for the purposes of enforcement of the HVNL.
  • Level 2 assurance can be relied upon for enforcement purposes if it is supported by other corroborating data. 
  • Level 1 assurance is de-identified data and can be used for intelligence and planning purposes.
Table 1: Assurance levels of information disclosed from telematics programs
Information disclosed to the NHVR
Intelligent access transport system Location  Time Identity of enrolled vehicle Level 3 assurance Weight of vehicle Level 2 assurance Level 1 assurance
Intelligent Access Program (IAP) Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No
TMAs with Smart On-Board Mass (Smart OBM) Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No
Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) Yes Yes No No No No Yes

Telematics requirements

Information on telematics requirements for different vehicles within a state or territory of travel can be found at:

In certain circumstances – such as, for certain heavy loads operating on certain infrastructure, or at the direction of a road authority or road manager – the NHVR may wait for the operator to enrol in an approved intelligent access program and request verification of enrolment before issuing the permit.

Authorised compliance and enforcement officers may ask operators for evidence of compliance – for example, presenting the permit and/or IAP certificate.

If a road manager receives a new permit application and imposes IAP or TMA as a condition of their consent, or if the NHVR is aware that IAP is a condition of access – for example, for an existing permit-based scheme – the NHVR will notify you. You can then choose whether you wish to proceed with, or continue, using this route.

If you are unsure whether IAP is required for your vehicle and route, please contact the NHVR or the relevant state or territory road transport authority.

Operating at Higher Mass Limits (HML)

New South Wales

Vehicles operating at Higher Mass Limits (HML) in New South Wales, including Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles, are required to be enrolled in either IAP or Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA).

Queensland

All operators operating at HML in Queensland must be enrolled in TMA as of 1 June 2024. 

For more information visit Queensland's transition to Smart On-Board Mass and Telematics Monitoring Application.

South Australia

There are no telematics requirements at this stage in South Australia.

For more information visit South Australia Intelligent Access Program.

Victoria

Certain vehicles travelling at HML in Victoria, including Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles, are required to be enrolled in either IAP or Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA). For more information, visit Transport Victoria - Regulatory telematics and smart on-board mass.

Self-declarations 

When operating at HML in New South Wales, Queensland or Victoria, and utilising IAP,  operators must self-declare details relating to their vehicle. This will be prompted by the IVU immediately after it or the ignition is turned on and will be repeated as a minimum once every 24 hours. The prompt will read ‘Please confirm relevant IAP data’. 

In these conditions, self-declarations must be made:

  • at the start of the trip
  • when the vehicle configuration changes
  • when TCM (total combined mass) changes a minimum of once every 24 hours.

Enrolment and application process

Enrollment IAP

Enrolment must be completed for each state or territory where travel is intended and where IAP is a condition of access.

Operators enrolling in IAP for New South Wales, Queensland or Victoria should complete an IAP application form.

Once enrolled, an IAP certificate is issued by TCA on behalf of the NHVR.

The transport operator is responsible for advising their drivers that a vehicle is being monitored in the IAP. A driver needs to be aware of the IAP certificate and approved access conditions and produce it when requested by an authorised officer.

An IAP certificate does not expire but is only valid while the vehicle is enrolled in the IAP, and the details remain accurate.

Installation

Operators are responsible for contacting a TCA-certified IAP service provider and organising installation of an IVU. Service providers and IVUs must be certified by TCA.

IAP service providers are easily recognised as they are the only suppliers permitted to display the TCA Certified for IAP symbol.

Amendment 

If you choose to change Service Providers, or a vehicle has had a change in registration plate details, request an amendment by completing an IAP application form.

Cancellation

If you choose to stop participating in IAP, you need to cancel your enrolment by completing an IAP application form.

You will also need to cancel any permits that require IAP as a condition through the NHVR Portal.

It is an offence to operate a vehicle that cannot comply with an IAP condition of a notice or permit.

Enrolment: TMA and RIM 

TCA handle all enrolments, amendments and cancellations for TMA and RIM. Please see the below for further details:

Telematics service providers

Please see TCA – Choosing a service provider.