Timeframes and penalties

The NHVAS imposes strict timeframes on Scheme members in relation to the lodgement of audits and applications to maintain accreditation.

Adherence to these timeframes is a requirement of ongoing accreditation. If you are unable to meet the specified timeframes, we may (at our discretion) grant short-term extensions under extenuating circumstances. However, if you do not qualify for such extensions, you may have your accreditation suspended or cancelled.
If you fail to meet Scheme requirements, we may take one of the following actions:

Suspension

If suspended, you are not eligible to receive the regulatory and concessional benefits of Scheme membership. This means that during the suspension period, loads will revert to the general regulatory limits for the Mass Management module and vehicles previously exempt under the Maintenance Management module may require a certificate of inspection from their relevant jurisdictional road authority before they are permitted to be used on the road.

Note: While the matter that triggers a suspension is being addressed, you may still display the NHVAS labels.

Cancellation

If cancelled, you are no longer eligible for the regulatory and concessional benefits of being in the Scheme. All labels must be removed from vehicles and destroyed immediately.

If cancelled from the Mass Management module, all vehicles must comply with general mass limits and are no longer eligible to carry concessional or higher mass limits.

If cancelled from the Maintenance Management module, you must ensure you meet your state or territory road transport authority’s vehicle inspection or Certificate of Inspection requirements before you can use any of the vehicles on a road. All labels must be removed from the vehicle and destroyed immediately.

Reminders

As a courtesy, we send out reminder emails reminding you to maintain accreditation 3 months prior to the expiry date. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of the NHVAS requirements, including the expiry date of your accreditation, so it can be processed without delay.

Please ensure that your contact details and postal addresses are current in NHVR Go.

Audit timing

When first granted accreditation, your management system must undergo a scheduled audit (initial compliance audit) of each module between six and seven months after the effective date of the accreditation.

A second audit is undertaken within the nine months prior to the expiry of the accreditation period.

It is your responsibility to submit a copy of a completed initial compliance audit summary report to us no later than 14 days after completing the audit.

For subsequent periods of accreditation, where an application to maintain the accreditation is to be lodged, each module must be audited between nine and one month prior to expiry of your accreditation.

Audit validity

An audit report is valid for 9 months from the date the audit is completed unless changes have been made to relevant management systems because of findings from a quarterly compliance statement or annual internal review.

Compliance Audit Notification (CAN)

When you are arranging to have a compliance audit done, you must submit a CAN application no later than 28 days before the intended audit date. Approval of the nominated date, address and auditor is at our discretion.

Maintain Accreditation Applications

If we do not receive and maintain an accreditation application, your accreditation will automatically expire at midnight on the accreditation expiry date. You and any associated vehicles will not be eligible to receive any concession past the expiry date.