Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI)

Purpose and Program Overview

The Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) is a national funding program administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to support industry‑led projects that improve safety outcomes across Australia’s heavy vehicle sector. It targets practical, forward‑looking solutions that reduce heavy vehicle crashes and incidents, improve compliance, and protect both heavy vehicle operators and other road users.​

HVSI Round 11 offers a funding pool of approximately $4.4 million for projects commencing in the 2026–27 financial year. Since 2016, the Australian Government has invested more than $45 million across 181 HVSI projects, reflecting the program’s ongoing role in lifting safety performance and resilience in the freight and logistics network. The program encourages the use of emerging technologies, data‑driven tools and applied research to future‑proof freight operations and support safer, smarter and more sustainable heavy vehicle movements nationwide.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: Total funding pool of about $4.4 million in 2026–27; individual grant sizes are merit‑based and not fixed, with projects often funded as partial or full contributions depending on scope and value for money.​
• Application open date: 27 January 2026 (Round 11 opens).​
• Application close date: 5:00 pm AEST, 16 March 2026.
• Eligible industries or business types: Participants and stakeholders in the Australian heavy vehicle industry, including industry associations, peak bodies, operators, technology providers, researchers, innovators, local councils and other organisations that can deliver projects with sector‑wide safety benefits.​
• Required co‑contributions: No strict matched funding; applicants must demonstrate some financial or in‑kind contribution (e.g. staff time, equipment, cash) and detail these in the budget.​
• Location/state/territory applicability: Applicant and project activities must be located in Australia; projects may be local, regional, cross‑jurisdictional or national, but should aim for broader industry benefit where possible.​

Priority Sectors

• The program focuses on the Australian heavy vehicle, freight and logistics sector, including road freight operators, supply chain participants and related safety, technology and infrastructure partners.
• Within this, Round 11 places emphasis on projects involving technology providers, research institutions, fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure owners and peak bodies that can demonstrate industry‑wide impact.
• The guidelines do not limit eligibility to specific ANZSIC industries; the grant is open to a broad range of sectors connected to heavy vehicle operations and road freight safety.​

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts: The guidelines do not specify a fixed minimum or maximum per project; funding is allocated competitively from the approximate $4.4 million pool based on merit, scope and value for money, and projects may receive part‑funding.
• Funding nature: Discretionary, merit‑based funding program; applications may be fully funded, part‑funded, or not funded at all.​
• Timing and duration:
  • Projects must commence in the 2026–27 financial year.
  • All funded projects must be delivered within a two‑year timeframe.​
• Key thematic streams (not formal “streams” but practical focus areas described in guidelines):
  • Vehicle safety and technology integration (e.g. advanced driver‑assist systems, EV safety systems, predictive maintenance, retrofitted safety technology).
  • Future‑focused road environment solutions (e.g. C‑ITS, roadside sensors, EV freight route planning, infrastructure modelling and simulations).
  • Pilot programs and scalable innovation (real‑world trials, applied research embedded in pilots, multi‑stakeholder innovation projects).
  • Industry‑led safety culture and knowledge sharing (training, guidelines, safety tools, analytics platforms, workforce capability uplift).

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant type and structure:
  • Open to organisations that are participants or stakeholders in the Australian heavy vehicle industry (e.g. companies, incorporated associations, local governments, research organisations, industry peak bodies).
  • Individuals, unincorporated associations and overseas organisations are not eligible.
• Registration and compliance:
  • Must have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
  • Must be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST).
  • Must hold an account with an Australian financial institution.
  • Must not be listed as an institution that has not joined or signified intent to join the National Redress Scheme.
• Location:​
  • The organisation and project activities must be located in Australia.
  • Applicants must hold the necessary approvals and capability to operate nationally where relevant (e.g. multi‑jurisdictional projects).
• Insurance requirements (for successful applicants):
  • Public liability insurance of at least $20,000,000 per claim.
  • Professional indemnity insurance of at least $5,000,000 per claim and in the aggregate.
  • Workers’ compensation insurance in accordance with applicable legislation.
• Other requirements:
  • Ability to demonstrate industry support and collaboration (e.g. letters of support from peak bodies or partners).
  • Capacity and capability to deliver the project within the specified timeframe.
  • Willingness to make research and results publicly accessible to benefit the wider industry.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The program funds projects that develop, trial or scale practical safety solutions, particularly where they are innovative, evidence‑based and scalable:

• Vehicle safety and technology:
  • Advanced driver‑assistance systems, collision avoidance, blind‑spot detection and other driver‑assist technologies.
  • Safety technologies for electric and alternative‑fuel heavy vehicles, including fire mitigation, energy management and safe charging procedures.
  • Predictive maintenance and diagnostics platforms using telematics, sensors and real‑time analytics.
  • Retrofitting legacy vehicles with new safety features or zero‑emission systems (with appropriate trials and validation).
• Road environment and infrastructure:
  • Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C‑ITS), smart signage and roadside sensors supporting real‑time data exchange.
  • Modelling and simulation of future mixed‑traffic environments and infrastructure needs.
  • Urban freight and last‑mile safety initiatives, including safer interactions with micromobility and vulnerable road users.
• Pilot programs and applied research (where linked to implementation):
  • Pilot projects with clear KPIs, evaluation plans and pathways to full deployment.
  • Applied research that directly supports or evaluates trials and is intended for broad sector dissemination.
  • Tools, frameworks and standards developed with cross‑sector support, including digital compliance tools and integrated applications connecting operators, road managers and regulators.
• Safety culture, training and knowledge sharing:
  • Education and training related to new vehicle technologies, EV safety and upskilling of drivers and maintenance staff.
  • Interactive safety awareness tools and programs, including for regional and remote contexts.
  • Data‑driven analytics platforms enabling predictive risk management across fleets and jurisdictions.

Activities and costs that are not funded include commercial product marketing, trademark registrations, purely commercial products or services, grant writer fees, general operating costs unrelated to the project, retrospective funding, debt repayment, overseas travel, gifts and sponsorships, internal training not provided by a third party, and duplicated initiatives already being delivered by NHVR or other agencies.​

Assessment Process

• Program type: HVSI is a competitive, discretionary, merit‑based grant program, not an automatic entitlement. Decisions of the assessment panel and the Commonwealth Government are final.​
• Process and timeline (Round 11):​
  • 27 January 2026: Round opens, guidelines and application form released.
  • By 16 March 2026: Applications submitted (complete with all mandatory attachments).
  • March–May 2026: Eligibility checks, detailed assessment by Grants Assessment Panel, and recommendations to NHVR Board.
  • June 2026: NHVR Board recommends a work program to the Commonwealth Government.
  • August 2026 (indicative): Applicants notified; successful projects announced.
  • September–November 2026 (indicative): Funding agreements finalised.
• Key evaluation criteria:​
  1. Capacity and sustainability – organisational capability, experience of key personnel, approvals and governance.
  2. Evidence-based – clear safety need, data or research underpinning the proposal.
  3. Scope and benefits – alignment with heavy vehicle safety priorities and breadth of safety benefits (local to national).
  4. Location and spread – geographic coverage, potential for broader rollout and willingness to share outcomes.
  5. Budget and timeline – realistic costing, applicant contributions (cash/in‑kind) and a feasible schedule within two years.
• The panel also undertakes value‑for‑money and SWOT analyses across competing proposals.​

Recent Program Updates

• Round 11 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative opened on 27 January 2026, with approximately $4.4 million available for new industry‑led safety projects.
• Round 11 emphasises projects that harness new and emerging technologies, advanced analytics, automation and EV‑related safety systems to position the freight and logistics sector at the forefront of global transport safety and innovation.​
• Over the first 10 rounds, the Australian Government has invested more than $45 million across 181 projects, including AI‑based fatigue monitoring systems, safety simulators, smart trailer connection checks, and other technology‑driven initiatives.
• The program continues to integrate with broader road safety and freight reform agendas, including a stronger focus on decarbonisation, automation and data‑driven safety management flagged in Round 11 guidelines.

Application Tips

• Review the Round 11 Guidelines and Application Form in full and ensure the proposed project aligns with the HVSI themes of safer drivers, safer vehicles and safer road environments.​
• Confirm basic eligibility early (ABN, GST registration, Australian bank account, insurance capability, Australian location) and gather all mandatory attachments (insurance certificates, financial statements, letters of support, evidence of need) before starting the form.
• Clearly define the safety problem, target beneficiaries and expected outcomes using relevant data, incident history or research to demonstrate an evidence‑based need.​
• Demonstrate organisational capability by outlining relevant experience, project governance, key personnel and any delivery partners or consortia arrangements.​
• Build strong industry support: obtain letters from peak bodies, operators, infrastructure owners and other stakeholders showing demand, buy‑in and commitment to use project outcomes.
• Prepare a detailed and realistic budget, clearly identifying HVSI funds, your own cash and in‑kind contributions, and any other funding, and ensure all items are eligible under the guidelines.​
• Structure the project plan with clear milestones, KPIs, risk management strategies and a feasible two‑year delivery schedule starting in 2026–27.
• Emphasise scalability, national relevance and how results will be shared (e.g. open tools, publications, training resources) to maximise industry‑wide benefit and value for money.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Pattens Group can help clarify eligibility, refine project scope, structure budgets and evidence, and ensure the proposal aligns with HVSI assessment criteria and broader government safety priorities. For official guidelines, application details, templates and further information, visit the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative page and the HVSI Round 11 Application Guidelines, along with other relevant Australian Government and NHVR publications.