Audit framework and requirements

The updated Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and new Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (HVA) scheme took effect on 1 August 2026. No new NHVAS accreditation is being granted, but existing NHVAS operators can continue to operate under the NHVAS until the expiry of their NHVAS accreditation. To continue your accreditation under HVA please see NHVAS transition to HVA scheme.

Successful audits of an operator’s compliance with the relevant module standards are critical for establishing and maintaining NHVAS accreditation. Audits certify that a management system for accreditation is in place, is being used, and adheres to the Scheme standards before accreditation is granted and/or maintained.

For more information on maintaining your accreditation, see Audits.

Under the NHVAS Business Rules and Standards and an independent Audit Framework, all audits are to be conducted by an approved independent auditor. These auditors must be registered or recognised by the NHVR as an NHVAS Approved Auditor.

Auditors carrying out audits on Basic and Advanced Fatigue Management (BFM or AFM) modules must have a Fatigue scope.

The Audit Framework and Auditor Code of Conduct applies a common set of principles, processes and audit methodologies, documentation and reporting of NHVAS audits. It also provides guidance relation to the conduct of an NHVAS Approved Auditor registered with the NHVR.

Two consecutive audit rule

When an auditor has carried out two consecutive audits of a module for an operator, a different auditor must conduct the next audit of that module.

In this example, as of 1 July 2025, there have been two consecutive audits for both Mass and Maintenance modules conducted by Auditor A; the next audit for these modules will need to be completed by a different auditor (Auditor B). The Fatigue (Basic) module can be audited by Auditor A one more time.  

Audit process flow

See an Example of an NHVAS Audit Report (PDF, 340KB).