Australia’s Heavy Vehicle National Law’s most significant overhaul since 2012 commenced August 1, 2026, and IAM Core Members Management Board member Michael Dunstan of Palmers Relocations says two changes stand out for the removals industry: new work and rest record requirements and broadened “Unfit to Drive” obligations.
For removals operators specifically, Dunstan flags two changes as most relevant: new work and rest record requirements for drivers operating within 100 km of base, and a new “Unfit to Drive” obligation that broadens the focus beyond fatigue alone to a driver’s overall fitness to safely operate a heavy vehicle. The fitness-to-drive duty applies to drivers of all heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes, not just those on fatigue-regulated routes, placing greater weight on operators having proper processes around fitness, fatigue, and rostering.
In practical terms, Dunstan notes this means added compliance work for operators — particularly around record keeping, policies, and driver declarations — and that supervisors and schedulers need to understand their obligations under the expanded Chain of Responsibility framework. Many Australian members may already have this on their radar through local industry associations, but the changes are worth flagging for members without direct access to that information.
The amended HVNL applies to heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT, but not Western Australia or the Northern Territory — putting most furniture removal trucks and linehaul rigs squarely in scope. On mass and dimensions, General Mass Limits have effectively increased too, and the general vehicle and combination length limit has increased from 19 to 20 metres for certain combinations.
IAM Member Impact: Members operating in the affected jurisdictions should review driver fitness and fatigue policies now, confirm work and rest record processes cover drivers working within 100 km of base, and ensure schedulers and supervisors understand their Chain of Responsibility obligations under the amended law.
Source: NHVR — Mass and Dimension | MHD Supply Chain coverage
Member Contribution: Michael Dunstan, Palmers Relocations