Regulatory changes in Australia’s heavy vehicle industry in 2025 will focus on safety, driver training, and modernization, leading to restructuring of licensing and mass limits. These regulations will fundamentally change the operations of drivers and operators in heavy vehicles throughout the nation. As of 2023, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has released a Radically re-designed Master Code of Practice signifying the primary safety changes to heavy vehicles since 2018. Moving the code to an activity based approach instead of role based is a sweeping change to how the industry tackles safety management.
Master Code will now go over and beyond what was covered in the initial four primary risk areas of speed, driver fatigue, vehicle safety, and mass dimension loading. There will now be 46 transport activities with 524 safety controls. This approach now incorporates emergent risks that haven’t historically been associated with the Chain of Responsibility, such as workplace behavior, criminal infiltration, pest contamination, and many others.
Euro VI Compliance Added Mass Limits Enhances Cleaner Operations in Australia
A new regulation active from November 1, 2024, aims to address the productivity problems caused by emission control technologies by increasing compliance limits for Euro VI emission heavy vehicles. The Heavy Vehicle Mass, Dimension and Loading National Amendment Regulation 2024 now offers 500kg additional Mass for vehicles complying to ADR 80/04 Euro VI standard.
The regulation also benefits single and twin steer axle vehicles. These vehicle classifications will have the new limits increased to 7 tonnes and 11.5 tonnes respectively, subject to some operational criteria. The revised limits for newer vehicles ensure that operators will not have to forgo freight productivity due to the adoption of quieter and cleaner vehicles which is likely to encourage the adoption of newer cleaner technologies.
Reform On Licensing Set To Target Set Standards For International Drivers
International heavy vehicle licensing changes, especially for overseas operators, came into effect in 2025. This also had a bearing on foreign operators who want to hold Australian qualifications. The state of South Australia spearheaded the new law with a Multi-Combination (MC) Licence structured and employer sponsored application along with compulsory assessment-based training through RTOs for the approved courses.
The conversion of overseas licenses under the Experienced Driver Recognition policy is actively being phased out, with most regions set to remove the policy by April 30, 2025. Drivers from 16 countries including South Korea, South Africa, and other European countries are impacted by this policy.