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The Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Act 2025

A wide-ranging set of changes to the HVNL came through a single Queensland Act. Here's how the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Act 2025 was put together and what it contains.
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Why a Queensland Act Changes a National Law

The HVNL is a schedule to Queensland's Heavy Vehicle National Law Act 2012. Because Queensland hosts the law, changes passed by its parliament carry through to the other jurisdictions that apply the HVNL.

The Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Act 2025 is Act No. 26 of 2025. It received assent on 24 November 2025, and its first part commenced that day.

The parts that change the law itself, Parts 2 and 3, commenced on 1 August 2026. That's the date operators saw the new accreditation scheme, the revised fatigue arrangements and the other changes take effect.
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How the Package Was Made

The Act was the last step in several years of national work, led by the National Transport Commission (NTC) with transport ministers making the key decisions.
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August 2022: reforms agreed

Ministers agreed the package of reforms the NTC would turn into draft law.
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Late 2024: drafts released

The NTC released exposure drafts of the bill and regulations for public consultation between October and November 2024.
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August 2025: bill introduced

Ministers approved the draft bill and legislative package, and Queensland's Minister for Transport and Main Roads introduced it on 26 August 2025.
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October 2025: committee report

The State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee tabled its report on 17 October 2025 and recommended the bill be passed.
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November 2025: passed

The Queensland Parliament passed the bill without amendment on 18 November 2025, and it became law with assent six days later.
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What the Act Contains

The committee's report set out the bill's main measures. These are the ones operators notice most.

Accreditation built on an SMS

A revised accreditation scheme that requires operators to have a safety management system, assessed against a national standard.

Fit to drive, not fatigued

A combined duty for drivers to be fit to drive and not to drive while fatigued, known as the Unfit to Drive duty.

Easier codes of practice

A simpler process for developing industry codes of practice.

Ministers and the Board

New powers for ministers and changes to how the Regulator's Board is governed.

Enforcement and penalties

Updated enforcement provisions and revised penalty amounts.

Detail moved to instruments

Some matters moved out of the Act and into regulations. Ministers approved four statutory instruments in May 2026, covering accreditation guidelines, the SMS Standard, the National Audit Standard and alternative compliance hours.

Electronic Work Diary vs Paper Logbook

The Act didn't change the basic choice of work diary. Drivers who need one can still choose between these two.
Electronic Work Diary
Paper Logbook
One minute accuracy
Fifteen minute blocks
Automatic syncing
Manual entries
Easy to read and access
Handwriting varies
Real time operator visibility
No live oversight
Secure cloud storage
Can be lost or damaged
Faster audits and reporting
Time consuming
What did change on the written diary was the detail drivers have to fill in, with several fields becoming optional.
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How It Works

If you want to read the amendments for yourself, this order makes them easier to follow.
Step 1

Start with summaries

The NHVR and the NTC have published plain-language guides to the changes, which give the overall picture first.
Step 2

Read the law as in force

Look up the current version of the HVNL on the Queensland legislation website, not the amending Act, which only lists changes.
Step 3

Check the regulations

Detail on fatigue, mass and other topics sits in the national regulations, several of which were updated too.
Step 4

Read the instruments you need

Operators seeking accreditation should read the SMS Standard and the National Audit Standard.
Step 5

Note local differences

Some jurisdictions apply the HVNL with their own modifications, so check yours.
Step 6

Ask when unsure

For your own situation, the NHVR or a transport lawyer can confirm how a change applies.

Features at a Glance

1. Accurate one minute recording
2. Offline functionality for uninterrupted use
3. Live visibility for fleet managers
4. Fatigue reminders and breach alerts
5. Driver declarations and vehicle checks
6. Secure cloud storage
7. Multi company support for contractors
8. Fast export for audits and reporting
9. Fatigue rule sets including Standard Hours, BFM, AFM, WA plans and bus rules
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Who It's Built For

The Act reaches drivers, schedulers, accreditation holders and company officers in different ways.
User Type
Benefit
Truck drivers
Easier logging and clear alerts
Transport operators
Real time visibility and compliance
Compliance managers
Reliable logs for inspections
Owner drivers
No paperwork and simple routines
Subcontractors
Easy switching between employers
What doesn't change is the need for accurate hours records, and Logmaster provides them for each role.

Fatigue Records Under the Amended Law

One of the Act's biggest shifts was how alternative hours are approved. Under ACA-Fatigue, an operator's own certificate approves its hours, and Logmaster then builds and tests that table and applies to the NHVR to add it to its approved EWD. Standard Hours, BFM, AFM, exemption hours and WA plans are already in the app.
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Hear from Our Users

Ray A.

First day with Logmaster was to my surprise was user friendly. Josh was very thorough in taking me through all the steps in setting up the Logmaster app. I would recommend Logmaster to all drivers regardless of age. Never have to worry about making a mistake as it tells you if you are. Great customer service after hours support is second to none.

Mike H.

Have started using Logmaster after trying 3 other models. I actually enjoy using it. Very easy to use and follow and the help if you need it is top notch by the developer. Does everything by the minute and works when no service is available. My system is customised for me and fits well with my system (I’m WA). Cost is on par with two of the other ones looked at.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready for Hours Records That Fit the Amended Law?

Book a demo and see how Logmaster records driver hours under the amended HVNL, from Standard Hours to approved ACA-Fatigue tables.

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