Before a road vehicle can be registered for the first time in Australia it must have a Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) and meet the requirements of the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA). The RVSA applies to new and used imported vehicles and locally manufactured new vehicles. The Act requires vehicles to meet the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) which are national standards covering safety and emission requirements. When a new vehicle has been certified as meeting the ADRs it can be fitted with an Secure Vehicle Identification Label and be entered on the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV). The entry of the vehicle on the RAV is mandatory under the Act, and it indicates to the State registering authorities that the vehicle meets all the required ADRs.
The certification system for new vehicles is based on a system known as "Vehicle Type Approval" (VTA), where a vehicle design representing a make-model (the “type” of vehicle) undergoes tests to demonstrate compliance with the applicable ADRs (Australian Design Rules) for that vehicle category. If the test vehicle(s) complies then all others of the same design, or type, will also comply, provided the production processes are properly controlled.
The Department of Transport Vehicle Safety Services (VSS) do not test vehicles for compliance with the ADR's. The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring compliance and we offer this service to many of our manufacturer or independent importer clients.
Once the tests are successfully completed, the manufacturer or their agent prepares the required ROVER evidence and submits the application for approval along with declarations from the manufacturer that they meet their legal obligations under the RVSA legislation with regard to Conformity of Production and access to manufacturer documetation and facilities.
For new manufacturers or VTA holders and from time to time for other existing manufacturers, a sample of each of the model variants may be requested to be made avaialabe for inspection by VSS. This inspection also satisfies the registration inspection requirements of the States and Territory registration authorities for new vehicles.
When VSS is satisfied that the vehicle complies, the Administrator of Vehicle Standards issues a document known as a Vehicle Type Approval (VTA). This is the authority for the manufacturer to import vehicles of the approved make-model, enter them on the RAV and supply the vehicles to the market.
The information provided by the manufacturer is subject to checking using quality assurance audits of the manufacturing facilities and inspection of the test facilities. Together these ensure the vehicles (or parts of vehicles) were built to the approved design and that all tests were done correctly.
Manufacturers that supply limited numbers of vehicles, or for importers of SPecialist and Enthusiast Vehicles (SEVS) may be able to use the Concessional Type Approval pathway.
All Concessional pathway vehicles including motorcycles opearate under the SEVS and Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme (RAW) and applies to new and used independently imported vehicles (grey imports).
Vehicles imported into Australia by individuals, or for racing etc. may be able to use the Personal Effects imported scheme.
Individually constructed vehicles are not required to be certified. However, they must meet the requirements of the State and Territory registering authorities.
- Testing of the model.
- Compiling of certification documentation.
- Submission of evidence to Federal Government.
- Government inspection of model type known as SUTI (Single Uniform Type Inspection) - if requested by the authorities.
- Issue of VTA.
- Volume Importation of model.
- Sales commence.