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Australia's National Heavy Vehicle System

Heavy vehicle regulation in Australia is shared between a national law, a national regulator, a reform body and the states. Here's who does what, and where Western Australia and the Northern Territory fit.
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One Law, Several Players

At the centre of the system is the Heavy Vehicle National Law. Queensland hosts it, and it commenced on 10 February 2014 in the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) administers and enforces that law. The National Transport Commission (NTC) develops reforms to it, and transport ministers from the participating governments approve them.

States and territories keep some heavy vehicle roles of their own. Driver licensing is one example, and in New South Wales registration also stayed with Transport for NSW.
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Who Does What

Five groups share the work of keeping the national system running.
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The NHVR

The Brisbane-based regulator set up in 2013 to administer the HVNL, with staff across the six participating jurisdictions.
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The NTC

Develops reform proposals, consults industry and drafts changes, as it did for the amendments that took effect in 2026.
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Transport ministers

Agree reform packages and approve standards and instruments, such as the four instruments approved in May 2026.
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State agencies

Keep functions that weren't handed over. In Queensland, TMR still sells the National Driver Work Diary and looks after vehicles under 4.5 tonnes.
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Police

Enforce heavy vehicle laws alongside the NHVR's own officers in each participating jurisdiction.
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Inside the System and Outside It

Six jurisdictions run under the HVNL. Two others run their own arrangements.

The six participants

The ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria all apply the HVNL, and the NHVR delivers on-road services in each.

Local modifications

Participating jurisdictions adopt the national law, and some apply it with modifications of their own.

Western Australia

WorkSafe WA administers fatigue for commercial vehicle drivers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and Part 4.10 of the general regulations.

WA drivers heading east

WA's Department of Transport says the National Driver Work Diary is needed for heavy vehicles driven outside WA and the NT.

The Northern Territory

The NT hasn't adopted the HVNL and regulates heavy vehicles under its own laws.

Crossing a border

A vehicle from WA or the NT follows the HVNL for as long as it's working in a participating jurisdiction.

Electronic Work Diary vs Paper Logbook

Across the six HVNL jurisdictions, the work diary rules are the same. This is how the two diary types compare.
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
An approved EWD is accepted in every jurisdiction that runs under the HVNL, so one record follows the driver along the whole route.
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How It Works

If your trucks cross jurisdiction lines, a few checks keep you on the right side of each system.
Step 1

Map your routes

Note which runs stay inside one jurisdiction and which cross into or out of WA or the NT.
Step 2

Match rules to routes

Decide which fatigue plan applies on each leg, HVNL or WA, and brief drivers on the switch.
Step 3

Know who enforces where

Expect NHVR officers and police in HVNL jurisdictions, and WA authorities in WA.
Step 4

Keep one record

Use a single diary system that can hold both HVNL and WA plans, so records don't split at the border.
Step 5

Know your local agency

Licensing and, in some places, registration still go through the state or territory.
Step 6

Follow national changes

Watch NHVR and NTC updates, because reforms are agreed nationally and apply across the participating jurisdictions.

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

Operators near a border, and anyone running interstate, feel the edges of the national system most.
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
Logmaster holds HVNL and WA fatigue plans in one app, so the record carries on when a truck crosses into or out of WA.

One App Either Side of the WA Border

Logmaster's NHVR approved EWD is used in the states and territories that run under the HVNL, and the same app includes WA plans: 14 Day Solo, 28 Day Solo, 7 Day 2-Up and 48hr 2-Up. Drivers who move between WA and the eastern states switch plans in the app as they cross, instead of juggling separate records.
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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 One Record Across Every Border?

Book a demo and see how Logmaster keeps HVNL and WA fatigue plans in one app for drivers who cross between them.

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