National Regulatory Framework for Automated Vehicles

Category

Connected and Automated Vehicle Award

Submitting Organisation

National Transport Commission

Collaborating Partners

Department of Infrastructure, Transport Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Government of Australia

Transport for NSW

Department of Transport and Main Roads

Queensland

Department for Infrastructure and Transport

South Australia

Department of State Growth Tasmania

Department of Transport Victoria

Department of Transport Western Australia

Transport Canberra

Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics

Northern Territory

Automated vehicles – sometimes known as autonomous vehicles or “driverless cars” –offer the possibility of fundamentally changing transport and society by improving road safety, mobility, freight productivity and by reducing road congestion. An NTC commissioned study found up to $64 million dollars in annual benefits once AV technology is widely adopted. However, current laws do not support their use on public roads. We need nationally consistent reforms that support innovation and safety. This will allow Australians to access the benefits of this technology.

The NTC has collaborated across government, industry and community to design an endto-end regulatory framework to support the safe commercial deployment and operation of automated vehicles at all levels of automation in Australia. This is underpinned by four important principles:

• Outcome based reform with safety as a key priority

• Technology, applications and business model neutrality

• National consistency and international alignment

• Commencement of framework in 2026

In February 2022, Australian transport ministers agreed on the foundational elements of that regulatory framework – first supply rules using exiting Commonwealth vehicle standards legislation along with a new Australian Design Rule; a new Commonwealth in-service safety law including a general safety duty and a new Commonwealth regulator; and complementary state and territory laws to support licensing, registration, and on road enforcement.

Now the NTC, along with our partners in the state, territory, and Commonwealth governments, move into implementation – reviewing and drafting new and amending legislation, developing operational policy and procedures, and ensuring the readiness of other supporting aspects of Australia’s transport system.