Applications for round 11 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) have opened, with $4.4 million in grants dedicated to industry-led projects aimed at improving road safety for the heavy vehicle industry.
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 Federal Government has already invested more than $45 million across 181 HVSI projects under the previous 10 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.
Grants in the previous round included an interactive livestock loading calculator, several AI-based fatigue systems, a real-time check system to ensure safe trailer connections and EBS compliance, technology that identifies overhead hazards in real-time, an electric trailer/dolly safety test, and a wearable fatigue management solution trial.
Submissions for round 11 of the HVSI – administered by National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) – are now open and will close at 5:00pm AEST on Monday, March 16, 2026. The application form and project guidelines can be viewed here which outlines the submission process, including eligibility.
Assistant Minister for Regional Development Senator Anthony Chisholm says the latest round aims to support 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,” he says.
“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 CEO Nicole Rosie adds the regulator isplacing 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,” she says.
“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.”