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In August 2025, Australian transport ministers approved the draft Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill (HVNL). It has since passed the Queensland Parliament, as the host jurisdiction for the law.
In May 2026, ministers approved the final legislative package for the updated HVNL, including the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Amendment Regulation 2026 and four Statutory Instruments:
- Ministerial Guidelines for heavy vehicle accreditation,
- Safety Management System (SMS) Standard,
- National Audit Standard, and
- Ministerial Standard for alternative compliance hours.
Together, these instruments complete the legislative framework required to support implementation of the updated law.
The updated HVNL and associated instruments will commence on 1 August 2026.
The NTC extends its thanks to the heavy vehicle industry, Australian governments and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) for their collaborative efforts in improving the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
Recent consultations
MDL Regulation consultation
In December 2025, we released a draft amendment to the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation for public consultation.
We sought feedback on the draft regulation prepared to give effect to agreed policy decisions. These amendments include increases to General Mass Limits (to align with current Concessional Mass Limits) and an increase to the general vehicle length limit (from 19 metres to 20 metres).
In support of this consultation, we developed a consultation overview, to accompany the draft MDL Regulation Amendment and the explanatory document which outlined the proposed changes.
Stakeholder submissions received during consultation helped inform the final regulation agreed by ministers in May 2026.
Statutory Instruments consultation
Alongside the NHVR, we recently sought feedback on consultation drafts of four key statutory instruments supporting implementation of the updated HVNL:
- heavy vehicle accreditation guidelines (consultation draft),
- a safety management system standard (consultation draft),
- a national audit standard (consultation draft), and
- fatigue alternative compliance hours (consultation draft).
Approved by ministers in May 2026, these instruments underpin the updated law and ensure consistent, practical outcomes across HVNL-participating states and territories. The final approved versions are available here.
Draft HVNL Amendment Bill and Regulations
Between 10 October and 21 November 2024, we undertook public consultation on exposure drafts of the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill and Heavy Vehicle National Amendment Regulations.
Throughout this consultation, we engaged with stakeholders through many industry and government-organised meetings, webinars, and in-person presentations.
Feedback received during consultation informed the finalisation of the draft law and regulations before they were presented to ministers for their consideration and approval. Ministers approved this legislative package in August 2025.
Information sessions
In support of these consultations, we hosted a number of public information sessions. You can view the recordings below.
Consultations and submissions
Reforms to Heavy Vehicle National Law Consultation Regulation Impact Statement
The purpose of the C-RIS is to consider options for future improvements to the Heavy Vehicle National Law, in line with the package of reforms agreed by Ministers in August 2022.
Exposure drafts of the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill and Heavy Vehicle National Amendment Regulations
The purpose of this consultation is to seek feedback on the exposure drafts of the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill and Heavy Vehicle National Amendment Regulations.
Heavy Vehicle National Law statutory instruments consultation
This document overviews four statutory instruments that will support the updated Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and invites public consultation on their content.
Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation Amendment consultation
The NTC is consulting on amendments to the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. Amendments include increases to General Mass Limits (to align with current Concessional Mass Limits) and an increase to the general vehicle length limit (from 19 metres to 20 metres).
Key Documents
The Decision Regulation Impact Statement assessed the impact of supported policy changes in fatigue management and to general mass and dimension limits for heavy vehicles.
The D-RIS, endorsed by Australia’s transport ministers, evaluates the impact of legislative reforms aimed at enhancing the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
Consultation RIS outlining proposed HVNL reforms relating to fatigue management, access and accreditation, including options analysis and stakeholder consultation questions.
This document provides a summary of policies agreed by ministers, and how you can provide feedback on the draft amendment bill and regulations to the NTC.
Exposure draft bill proposing amendments to the HVNL to support reforms to fatigue management, accreditation, access and enforcement.
Overview of proposed HVNL legislative reforms and consultation arrangements for the exposure draft amendment bill and regulations.
Summary of proposed changes to HVNL penalties following a comprehensive review to improve proportionality, consistency and risk-based enforcement outcomes.
Current law and regulations (until 1 August 2026)
The current Heavy Vehicle National Law and associated regulations remain in effect until 1 August 2026.
Further information on the Heavy Vehicle National Law is available here.
Moving forward
The NTC, Australian governments and the NHVR will continue working with industry to maintain and improve the HVNL following commencement of the updated law. A forward work program is currently being developed.
Contact us
If you’d like to ask us a question about our work, we’d like to hear from you. You can contact us at hvnlteam@ntc.gov.au.
