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

• File
  • Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman submission - HV Charges.pdf
• What are your views on the preferred heavy vehicle charge increase of 6 per cent in 2026–27.

  The ASBFEO supports sustainable funding for Australia’s roads and the goal of modernising road user charging. However, many small businesses operating heavy vehicles continue to face increasing operational costs with limited options to pass these increases onto their customers. While we recognise that the preferred increase of 6 per cent is substantially less than the 19 per cent increase the National Transport Commission estimates would ensure governments can continue to maintain roads for heavy vehicles, we consider that an annual increase linked to the CPI would be more sustainable for the many small businesses who operate heavy vehicles. The ASBFEO therefore recommends that any future heavy-vehicle charge increases be capped at the annual CPI rate until comprehensive road-user charging reform is implemented. This approach would maintain growth in road funding while having less of an impact on small business viability, supply-chain affordability, productivity and resilience.