We have developed a framework to ensure the safe operation of automated vehicles while they are on the road (or ‘in service’).
The design of this framework is a major milestone on the road towards national reforms for automated vehicles in Australia. It was developed in collaboration with governments and industry.
In early 2022, transport and infrastructure ministers approved the national in-service safety framework for automated vehicles in Australia.
The framework strikes a balance between aligning with international standards and addressing Australia’s unique conditions.
We consulted with stakeholders to understand:
Feedback from governments and industry was considered and incorporated the final framework. Now it's been approved, we’ll work with the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications to turn it into a national law.
In 2020, ministers agreed to work towards establishing a national approach to regulating automated vehicles when they are commercially deployed on our roads.
Ministers agreed the approach will include a national regulator and a national law, supported by a general safety duty. Our work since then has further developed the approach to establish the detailed content of the national law.
We held an online information session on 1 April 2022 to do a deep dive into:
If you have any further questions on the content within the session, or the framework more generally please contact the project team.
The purpose of this paper is to present the end-to-end regulatory framework for the commercial deployment of automated vehicles in Australia.