The Albanese Government and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) have announced $4.4 million in grants will be dedicated to industry led projects aimed at improving road safety for the heavy vehicle industry.
The funding is available through round 11 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), with the aim of supporting projects that improve compliance and deliver safety benefits for the transport and logistics sector.
Central to the funding will be projects that harness new and emerging technologies to build capability and knowledge across the sector, delivering long term benefits for Australia's freight and logistics network.
Organisations across Australia, from industry associations and local councils to innovators, researchers and businesses, are encouraged to bring forward bold, innovative ideas that address safety challenges and will make a lasting difference on our roads.
The Albanese Government has already invested more than $45 million across 181 HVSI projects under the previous ten rounds.
Successful projects from previous rounds include AI based fatigue monitoring systems, heavy vehicle safety simulators and a range of industry led projects aimed at improving internal safety programs.
Submissions for round 11 of the HVSI are now open and will close at 5pm AEST Monday 16 March 2026.
The application form and project guidelines can be viewed here which outlines the submission process, including eligibility.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development Senator Anthony Chisholm:
"When it comes to investing in heavy vehicle safety, our Albanese Labor Government is backing initiatives that prepare Australia's freight and logistics industry for the future.
"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.
"It's critical that safety investment is evidence based, implementable and led by industry collaboration to ensure solutions are ready for the real world.
"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."
Quotes attributable to NHVR Chief Executive Officer Nicole Rosie:
"Building on the successful projects already supported through this program, we're placing a stronger emphasis on future ready solutions with sustainable outcomes for Australia's heavy vehicle industry.
"Our freight and logistics sector needs to be positioned at the forefront of global safety and innovation, with a growing need to address challenges with forward thinking, collaborative solutions.
"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.
"I encourage organisations to bring their best ideas forward to help create a positive and lasting change on Australian roads."
