The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has announced the details of increases to the cost of access permits, accreditations and work diaries, along with hikes in fines for heavy vehicle drivers and operators.
The increases, which the regulator says are in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), will be effective from July 1, 2024.
Access permits for Class 1, 2 or 3 are set to go up from $83 to $88, as are HML permits.
Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) accreditation application will increase from $153 to $162, and a Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) application will also go up to $107 from $101.
A maintenance accreditation application will now cost $107 as opposed to $101, and vehicles to be nominated or remain in accreditation modules will cost $39 per vehicle (up from $37).
The same goes for mass accreditation, increasing to $107 and $39 per vehicle.
The cost of a work diary will go up from $28 to $30.
Meanwhile Heavy Vehicle National Law infringement penalties are also set to increase – you can find the schedule for the 2024/2025 financial year here.
As an example, the infringement for a driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle not carrying a work diary will increase from $758 to $800.
A spokesperson for the NHVR said it reviews its fees annually in line with CPI increases.
“For services where fees are applied, the NHVR works on a cost remediation model and the fees are designed to cover part of the cost of providing these services to industry,” they said.
“In 2024/25 it has been determined, to help maintain a sustainable business model, that the NHVR will be increasing fees in line with CPI increases.
“The NHVR’s priority remains on ensuring safety and efficiency on Australia’s roads and the adjustment reflects the rising costs of maintaining and improving our services.”
The spokesperson pointed out that in 2020/21, the NHVR implemented a fee freeze to help provide financial relief to the road transport industry during the pandemic.
They added: “Where possible, the NHVR will always support operators by removing cost barriers – we want to encourage heavy vehicle businesses to focus on their safety and that of other road users.”