In April last year (2024) the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) assumed responsibility for heavy vehicle safety services in Queensland, marking the start of a significant transformation to regulation across the state.
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NHVR director Kelli Ready says since the completion of the National Services Transition program last year, the progress made to heavy vehicle regulation right across Australia, has been substantial.
“From April 2024 to April 2025, the NHVR’s new team of Safety and Compliance Officers (SCOs) conducted more than 18,600 heavy vehicle intercepts in Queensland, evidence of our strengthened compliance and enforcement efforts and commitment to enhancing road safety across the state,” she says.
“During this same timeframe, Queensland SCOs provided more than 800 hours of education to drivers and operators, ensuring they understood how to comply with their safety obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).”
Ready says the NHVR’s newly established Northern Region team has undertaken a significant amount of work to address the greatest safety risks on Queensland roads.
“Following the transition, we have worked collaboratively with our partner agencies, undertaking numerous operations in Queensland which target key focus areas such as livestock transport, bus safety and compliance, and the mechanical condition of heavy vehicles,” she says.
“Our hardworking team of SCOs have also supported industry through major flooding and extreme weather events, assisting drivers and operators in making safe decisions on the roads.
“It’s safe to say the integration of Queensland into the NHVR is already resulting in safer, more consistent regulation of heavy vehicle movements across Australia.”
NHVR Acting Queensland stakeholder engagement officer Sarah Wilkie says the NHVR now has a national process in place, so industry will experience consistent information no matter which state they are travelling through.
“An additional positive for industry is that the implementation of the NHVR’s national policies and core values – which are customer focused – are now reflected across the country, including our beautiful state of Queensland,” she says.
The NHVR has continued to undertake the Programmed Vehicle Inspection function, and the SCO teams inspect heavy vehicles every day across all areas of the state, ensuring fleets are free of defects and are safe on roads.
“However, the work of our on-roads team extends far beyond the roadside – with officers actively working with all levels of industry by attending industry forms, meetings and Toolbox Talks right across Queensland, providing education and information so by the time drivers are in the cab, they understand their obligations under the HVNL and the role they play in road safety,” NHVR operations manager Jarrod Wilson says.
“The work of the NHVR’s Operational Support Officers is also crucial, supporting our on-road teams every day to ensure they can function effectively and that our customers’ needs are met.
“Every time I attend an industry event, I am told about stories from the road where our team were professional, knowledgeable, and got drivers back on the road with minimal delays – a true testament to the impact the NHVR is already having on heavy vehicle safety in the Sunshine State.”
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