Three peak heavy vehicle and road freight industry associations have jointly engaged in productive and positive discussions with the Victorian Government and its relevant agencies on behind-the-scenes work to enable easier pathways for innovative heavy vehicles in Victoria.
That work has culminated in the announcement of an automated assessment program for Class 1 and 2 heavy vehicles, expected to be available from January 1, 2026.
The system, known as the Heavy Vehicle Structural Assessment Permit System, will automate up to 85 per cent of structural assessments, significantly reducing assessment and response times, and eliminating all fees for industry.
Those fees and the policy that underpins them have historically been a contentious issue for industry. Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), the Victorian Transport Association (VTA), and NatRoad have long called for their removal, and renewed those calls in recent meetings with the Victorian Government.
The cessation of the fees will result in easier access pathways for many heavy vehicle combinations, including innovative B-doubles, A-doubles, Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles, quad-axle semi-trailers, and combinations featuring next-generation low- and zero-emissions trucks.
Those vehicle combinations have been proven over and over to be safer, more efficient and more productive than many conventional heavy vehicle combinations that do not require access permits.
The peak industry bodies jointly celebrated easier access pathways for safer, more productive and more efficient heavy vehicles, and commended the Victorian Government for its actions.
“The removal of the policy is an absolute win for industry, and also for the wider Victorian community, who will enjoy the benefits of a greater number of safer, more productive and more efficient trucks in the years to come,” said HVIA CEO, Todd Hacking.
VTA thanked the state government for engaging with industry to achieve the milestone outcome.
“Today we celebrate a crucial milestone for Victorian road freight productivity and efficiency. On behalf of all our members, we wholeheartedly thank the Victorian Government for listening and acting on the real needs of the industry,” said VTA CEO, Peter Anderson.
Natroad called the outcome a win for operators struggling with rising costs of transport, also acknowledging the government’s collaboration with industry.
