The Albanese Government and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) have opened Round 11 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), offering $4.4 million in grants to support innovative, industry-led safety projects across Australia’s heavy vehicle sector.
Focus on Technology and Industry Innovation
The funding will target projects that harness new and emerging technologies to enhance compliance, build sector knowledge, and deliver long-term safety benefits for Australia’s transport and logistics network. Industry associations, local councils, innovators, researchers, and businesses nationwide are invited to submit bold, forward-looking ideas.
Previous HVSI rounds have funded AI-based fatigue monitoring systems, heavy vehicle safety simulators, and a range of programs improving internal safety processes. Since its inception, the Albanese Government has invested more than $45 million across 181 HVSI projects.
Government Backing and Industry Support
Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm, said the funding will help the sector respond to evolving risks and technologies.
“Through round 11 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, we’re supporting industry to develop, trial and scale forward-looking solutions that respond to emerging risks, new vehicle technologies and changing road environments,” Chisholm said.
“These projects are about more than improving safety outcomes today; they’re about building the capability, tools and knowledge the sector needs to operate safely, sustainably ,and efficiently as freight continues to evolve.”
NHVR Pushes for Future-Ready Solutions
NHVR Chief Executive Officer Nicole Rosie highlighted the program’s focus on sustainable, future-ready solutions.
“Our freight and logistics sector needs to be positioned at the forefront of global safety and innovation,” Rosie said. “Reducing Australia’s road death toll continues to be the number one priority for the NHVR, and we can collectively achieve this by building a safer, more connected and innovative industry.”
Submissions for round 11 of HVSI are open and close at 5pm AEST on Monday, 16 March 2026. Applicants can view the application form and project guidelines for details on eligibility and the submission process.
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