South Australia Just Slashed Red Tape for Heavy Vehicle Operators — Here’s What It Means
For years, South Australian operators have been stuck in the slow lane — buried under paperwork, permits, and approvals just to move freight from A to B. That changes now. The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA DIT), and local governments have teamed up to roll out major […]
$27.4 Million Cooper Creek Barge Restores Vital Access for South Australian Livestock Transport
A major win for South Australia’s freight and livestock industries — the new Cooper Creek Barge is now officially open, restoring access along one of the state’s most critical outback transport routes. The $27.4 million barge, jointly funded by the state and federal governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, provides a safe, reliable crossing […]
Have Your Say on the Updated Heavy Vehicle National Law
Australia’s Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) is undergoing one of its biggest updates in years — and now is the time for drivers, operators, and industry professionals to have their say. Public consultation is now open on four key areas of the updated HVNL currently before the Queensland Parliament: These proposed updates are designed to […]
Drivers Raise Serious Concerns Over Proposed New ‘Fit to Drive’ Laws
The heavy vehicle industry is voicing strong concerns over proposed amendments to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) that introduce a new “fit to drive” duty — a change many believe could create serious uncertainty and added pressure for drivers already operating under strict compliance obligations. Under the draft amendments, drivers would be required to […]
$10,000 Fines for Ignoring Road Closures: Why “Closed Means Closed”
Western Australia has drawn a hard line — and it’s about time. Access a closed road or mess with a “Road Closed” sign, and you could cop a fine of up to $10,000. That’s not a typo. Ten. Thousand. Dollars. The announcement came from Main Roads Western Australia, following a string of incidents where drivers […]
WA Rolls Out New Label Rules for EVs, Hybrids & Hydrogen Vehicles — Here’s What You Need to Know
Western Australia just plugged into the national standard for vehicle labelling — and if you drive an electric, hybrid, or hydrogen vehicle, you’ll want to pay attention. Starting January 1, 2026, all EV, hybrid, and hydrogen vehicles manufactured or modified on or after January 1, 2019 will need to display new front and rear labels […]
HVIA Appoints New Chief Engineer — and It’s a Win for the Industry
The Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) has made a powerhouse move — announcing Rachel Michaud as its new Chief Engineer. And if you’ve been watching the evolution of Australia’s heavy vehicle sector, you know this is a big deal. Rachel isn’t new to the game. She’s got over a decade of experience with Knorr-Bremse, where […]
Tackling the Heavy Vehicle Driver Shortage: Why Australia’s Supply Chains Depend on It
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Australia doesn’t have enough truck drivers.And the problem isn’t on the horizon — it’s already here. Heavy vehicles are sitting idle because there’s no one to drive them. Freight demand is rising. Passenger transport is stretched thin. Regional communities are feeling the pinch. And unless something changes fast, this shortage will […]
Road Freight Industry’s Best Recognised in Melbourne
The freight industry doesn’t often stop to pat itself on the back. Why? Because most of the time we’re too busy keeping Australia moving. But over the weekend, hundreds of heavyweights and rising stars gathered at Crown Palladium Melbourne for the 35th Australian Freight Industry Awards (AFIA) — and it was a reminder of just […]
Sham Contracting in Trucking: Why the ATO Can’t Afford to Keep Looking the Other Way
Here’s the ugly truth about a growing cancer in our industry: sham contracting is ripping off drivers and giving dodgy operators a massive cost advantage. It’s not new. But it’s getting worse. And now, the boss of the South Australian Road Transport Association, Steve Shearer, is calling out the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to actually […]