View the feedback we have received on the Heavy Vehicle Charges Consultation report 2026-27 paper.

• File
  • ALRTA submission - heavy vehicle charges 2026-27.pdf
• What are your views on the preferred heavy vehicle charge increase of 6 per cent in 2026–27.

  ALRTA does not support a 6 per cent increase in heavy vehicle charges in 2026–27. It would be a fourth steep rise under PAYGO on top of three consecutive 6 per cent increases, landing in the middle of a solvency and closure problem for small and medium operators, especially rural and livestock carriers. Many of our members and their customers are price takers with very limited capacity to pass on higher costs. Another 6 per cent risks pushing otherwise viable businesses out of the market, stripping specialist freight capacity out of regional communities and putting additional pressure on food and fibre supply chains. If ministers decide to increase charges in 2026–27, ALRTA could support an increase of no more than 3 per cent as a transitional step only. A 3 per cent cap is broadly in line with long-term average CPI, better reflects operators’ capacity to pay, and leaves room to move to a fair Forward-Looking Cost Base that links charges to service levels, avoids price shocks and is more transparent about how road funding is spent.