Industry Glossary

RVMAP (Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing Accreditation Program)#

RVMAP is a voluntary accreditation program for Australian recreational vehicle manufacturers, delivered by Caravan Industry Association of Australia. Licensed businesses commit to consistently supplying product that adheres to the relevant Australian Design Rules and federal compliance regulations and are inspected regularly against that commitment.

RVMAP covers the full range of recreational vehicles, from tent trailers through to luxury motorhomes. Accreditation is a commitment to a standard of practice, not a certification of any individual vehicle.

The Accreditation Key#

The Accreditation Key is the consumer-facing mark carried by businesses licensed under RVMAP. It signals the business's commitment to supply product that adheres to the relevant Australian Design Rules and federal compliance regulations, verified through regular inspection.

Retail Dealership Accreditation Program#

A voluntary accreditation program for Australian recreational vehicle dealerships, delivered by Caravan Industry Association of Australia. Accredited dealerships commit to defined standards of business practice and customer outcomes.

Salesperson Accreditation#

A voluntary accreditation for individuals selling recreational vehicles in Australia, delivered by Caravan Industry Association of Australia. It sets a baseline of product, compliance and consumer-law knowledge for people advising buyers.

Service and Repairs Accreditation#

A voluntary accreditation program for recreational vehicle service and repair businesses, delivered by Caravan Industry Association of Australia.

Industry Supplier Accreditation#

A voluntary accreditation program for businesses supplying components, products and services into the Australian recreational vehicle manufacturing and retail supply chain, delivered by Caravan Industry Association of Australia.

Accredited Caravan Holiday Park#

A caravan or holiday park accredited under the program delivered by Caravan Industry Association of Australia, denoting a commitment to defined operational and guest experience standards.

State of the Industry Report#

The annual review of the Australian caravan and camping industry published by Caravan Industry Association of Australia. It consolidates recreational vehicle manufacturing and import data, vehicle registrations, caravan park accommodation performance and domestic visitor economy figures into a single reference for the year.

The 2026 edition was the eleventh annual report, covering the 2025 calendar year.

CaravanStats#

The industry insights platform operated by Caravan Industry Association of Australia. It brings together data on manufacturing, the visitor economy, caravan park accommodation, mobility, imports and exports, and vehicle registrations, drawing on Australian Bureau of Statistics data, state and territory government sources, and accommodation providers.

ParkMetrics#

The caravan park performance platform within CaravanStats. It integrates data from participating caravan parks' property management systems to report occupancy, daily rates and revenue across tourism regions and accommodation types.

Let's Go Caravan and Camping#

The national consumer platform operated by Caravan Industry Association of Australia and the primary consumer-facing voice for the Australian caravan and camping industry. It comprises a consumer website, social media channels and campaign activity, bringing together destination content, trip ideas, product information and campaign activations in one place.

Let's Go is industry-wide activity, undertaken to grow the market for the sector as a whole rather than to promote any individual business. It is funded through the National Advocacy and Marketing Fund.

National Advocacy and Marketing Fund#

The pooled fund through which contributing businesses finance national advocacy and consumer marketing on behalf of the Australian caravan and camping industry. Contribution is voluntary.

The fund is wholly applied to advocacy on behalf of the industry to the federal government, and to national consumer marketing delivered under the Let's Go Caravan and Camping brand. Activity is industry-wide and benefits every segment of the sector, from caravan parks and dealerships to manufacturers and suppliers.

Tare Mass#

The tare mass is the actual mass of the RV with all Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) items fitted. This includes the mass imposed on the tow vehicle.

The tare mass is weighed with empty water tanks and gas cylinders, no personal luggage; and no personal effects.

Any fluid not essential for the RV to operate on public roads can be excluded from the tare mass. These fluids, and any personal items, are considered to be part of the load carrying capacity of the RV. Fridges, stoves, hot water service, water tanks and gas bottles are to be empty when tare mass is measured. These items are not required to be filled for the satisfactory operation of the RV on public roads.

ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass)#

The total mass of the trailer when carrying the maximum load recommended by the manufacturer. ATM includes the mass imposed on the towing vehicle when the combination is resting on a horizontal surface.

ATM is the maximum weight the trailer is designed for, acting down through both the tyres and the coupling. It is the figure that determines whether a loaded van is legal.

GTM (Gross Trailer Mass)#

The maximum permitted mass (kg) transmitted to the ground by the axle(s) when coupled to a drawing vehicle and carrying maximum load approximately uniformly distributed over the load bearing area.

Ball weight (tow ball mass)#

The portion of the trailer's mass that bears down on the tow vehicle's coupling when the trailer is hitched.

Ball weight is limited by the lowest of three ratings: the trailer's specified maximum, the tow bar rating and the coupling rating.

Payload (Load Capacity) - Towable RV#

The maximum load a trailer can carry, calculated as ATM less Tare Mass. Payload includes everything added after manufacture: water, gas, food, clothing, tools, accessories and any fitted extras.

It should allow for equipment that is not supplied with the vehicle but is intended to be fitted based on provided features. For example, the allowance for jerry can holders must include the mass of the jerry cans and associated fuel. The allowance for bike racks must include the mass of the bikes.

It should also include a personal effects allowance to cover cooking utensils, bedding, luggage and other such items

Payload (Load Capacity) - Motorised RV#

The maximum load a motorised RV can carry, calculated as GVM less Tare Mass. Payload includes everything added after manufacture: water, gas, food, clothing, tools, accessories and any fitted extras.

It should allow for equipment that is not supplied with the vehicle but is intended to be fitted based on provided features. For example, the allowance for jerry can holders must include the mass of the jerry cans and associated fuel. The allowance for bike racks must include the mass of the bikes.

It should also include a personal effects allowance to cover cooking utensils, bedding, luggage and other such items

GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass)#

The maximum permitted laden mass of a single motor vehicle, as specified by its manufacturer. For a tow vehicle, GVM includes occupants, cargo and the ball weight transferred from the trailer.

GCM (Gross Combination Mass)#

The maximum permitted combined mass of a tow vehicle and its trailer when both are loaded, as specified by the tow vehicle manufacturer.

GCM is commonly lower than GVM plus ATM added together, which means a combination can be within each individual limit and still exceed GCM.

Trailer Gross Axle Load Rating (TGALR)#

The sum of the Gross Axle Load Rating (GALR) of each axle attached to the trailer. GALR is the manufacturer's specified maximum axle load for each axle for which compliance with the applicable Australian Design Rules has been, or can be, established.

Under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act, RVMAP used the term Axle Group Load Rating. This transitioned to TGALR under the Road Vehicle Standards Act to align with the terminology used in the ADR definitions.

Australian Design Rules (ADRs)#

The national standards for vehicle safety, anti-theft and emissions performance that road vehicles must meet before they can be supplied to the Australian market. The ADRs apply to caravans and trailers as well as to motor vehicles.

Note on the abbreviation: within this industry, ADR also commonly means Average Daily Rate in accommodation reporting. See Section E.

RVSA (Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018)#

The Commonwealth legislation governing the supply of road vehicles to the Australian market. It replaced the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 on 1 July 2021.

The operational detail sits in the Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019. The Act, the Rules and related legislation are collectively referred to as the Road Vehicle Standards legislation.

Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV)#

A publicly searchable national database of vehicles that have met the requirements of the Road Vehicle Standards legislation and been approved for supply to the Australian market.

All road vehicles, including caravans and trailers, must be entered on the RAV before being supplied to a person for the first time in Australia. Entry on the RAV is almost always a prerequisite for state or territory registration.

The RAV replaced the requirement to fit physical compliance or identification plates to motorised recreational vehicles.

Vehicle type approval#

One of two pathways to entering a vehicle on the Register of Approved Vehicles. A vehicle type approval identifies the national road vehicle standards applying to a vehicle type and specifies the documents submitted to confirm compliance with them.

Once granted, it allows that type of vehicle to be supplied to the Australian market in unlimited volume. The approval holder is responsible for ongoing compliance.

Concessional RAV entry approval#

The second pathway to RAV entry, used to enter vehicles one at a time rather than by type. A separate application is required for each vehicle.

Low ATM trailer#

A trailer with an aggregate trailer mass of 4.5 tonnes or less. This is the category covering the great majority of caravans and camper trailers, and it is the scope of Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1 (Revision 6).

VSB1 (Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1, Revision 6)#

The bulletin that helps manufacturers of trailers with an aggregate trailer mass of 4.5 tonnes or less understand the Australian Design Rule requirements applying to their product under the Road Vehicle Standards legislation.

VSB1 is the reference source for the weight definitions in Section B.

Second stage of manufacture (SSM)#

An arrangement under which additions or modifications are made to a new base vehicle already entered on the Register of Approved Vehicles under an existing vehicle type approval, before that vehicle is supplied to a person for the first time. It is relevant to campervan and motorhome manufacturers building on a base vehicle.

Quality Management System (QMS)#

A documented set of processes by which a manufacturer controls and evidences the consistency of its product.

The approval holder must implement a QMS that governs the manufacturing process detailed in the approval’s supporting information. This system must ensure the vehicle satisfies all the vehicle type approval requirements when it is entered on the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV).

Under RVMAP, a QMS is the mechanism through which a licensed manufacturer demonstrates that its compliance commitment is applied consistently rather than vehicle by vehicle.

Gas compliance#

AS/NZS 5601.2 is the Australian and New Zealand standard specifying mandatory requirements for the design, installation and commissioning of LP gas systems in caravans, boats and similar mobile or marine structures for non-propulsive purposes.

Electrical compliance#

AS/NZS 3001.2 is the Australian and New Zealand standard that sets the safety and electrical installation requirements for connectable vehicles, caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers.

AS/NZS 3000, commonly known as the Wiring Rules, is the Australian and New Zealand standard that sets the safety, design and installation requirements for electrical work.

Vehicle Plate (VIN plate)#

For a towable recreational vehicle, a vehicle plate must be firmly affixed in a readily visible position and must show the manufacturer or vehicle make, the VIN, the ATM, the GTM and the tare mass.

For a motorised recreational vehicle a vehicle plate is no longer required. The Register of Approved Vehicles replaced the requirement to fit vehicles with a plate.

Caravan#

Formally, an enclosed trailer designed primarily for human occupation while stationary.

In common use the term covers conventional, pop-top, off-road and hybrid towable recreational vehicles.

Campervan/Motorhome#

Campervan, also known as motor campers, or van conversions, is a motorised van equipped with facilities designed for recreational travel. A motorhome is a motorised chassis (usually a light commercial or truck chassis) fitted with a body equipped with facilities designed for recreational travel.

These recreational vehicles are manufactured to include accommodation space containing at least the following seat and table, sleeping accommodation that may be by converting seats, and cooking facilities.

These recreational vehicles may have additional seats provided for purposes other than use in transport. The manufacturer needs to be clear about which seats are intended to be used in transport.

Recreational vehicle (RV)#

The collective term for towable and motorised vehicles designed for recreational travel and accommodation. In our reporting, RV covers caravans, camper trailers, campervans, motorhomes, fifth wheelers, pop-tops, hybrid RVs and slide-on campers.

Towable and motorised#

The primary split used in Australian recreational vehicle production and registration reporting. Towable covers caravans, camper trailers, fifth wheelers and similar; motorised covers campervans and motorhomes.

Towable vehicles account for the overwhelming majority of Australian production.

Pop-top#

A towable recreational vehicle with fixed walls and an expanding roof.

Camper trailer#

A towable recreational vehicle with a solid roof and expanding canvas or rigid walls.

Tent trailer#

A box trailer with tent or canvas walls and roof.

Fifth wheeler#

A towable recreational vehicle towed by a truck, pick-up or utility vehicle via a hitch similar to that used on a semi-trailer, the fifth wheel, fitted to the bed of the tow vehicle.

Slide-on camper#

A recreational vehicle unit designed to be loaded onto, and removed from, the tray or bed of a ute or truck, rather than being towed like a caravan or camper trailer.

Hybrid RV#

Any towable recreational vehicle that does not fit specifically into the other towable definitions in this section.

Caravan and camping trip#

A domestic overnight trip on which the traveller stayed at least one night in a caravan, campervan, motorhome, tent, or at a caravan park or camping ground, including glamping. Measured through Tourism Research Australia's domestic visitor survey.

Visitor night#

One night spent away from home by one traveller on a domestic overnight trip. A party of four staying three nights generates twelve visitor nights, not three.

Commercial and non-commercial sites#

Commercial refers to stays at caravan parks and camping grounds operated as a business. Non-commercial covers national parks, crown land, camps, showgrounds and private property.

The distinction matters because commercial and non-commercial trips behave very differently on spend. In the year ending December 2025, commercial caravan parks and camping grounds accounted for 67% of caravan and camping trips, 70% of nights and 75% of spend.

Domestic Tourism Statistics (DoTS)#

The Tourism Research Australia model that now produces domestic caravan and camping trip, night and expenditure figures. It succeeds the previous National Visitor Survey basis.

This matters when comparing across years. Figures produced under DoTS are not necessarily directly comparable with earlier National Visitor Survey series, and any time series should note where the basis changes.

National Visitor Survey (NVS)#

The long-running Tourism Research Australia survey of domestic travel by Australian residents, and the historical basis for caravan and camping trip and expenditure figures. Sample sizes at regional level are limited, which is why more granular caravan park insights are drawn from other sources.

Visitor expenditure#

Total spend associated with domestic overnight trips, including spend committed before departure and spend while travelling. When comparing expenditure figures, check which of the two is being quoted, as the difference is material.

ABS Motor Vehicle Census#

The Australian Bureau of Statistics count of registered vehicles in Australia, taken at a fixed date each year. It is the source for national caravan and campervan registration figures, which Caravan Industry Association of Australia has compiled through BDO.

Registration counts reflect vehicles on the register at census date, not vehicles in active use.

Registered RV fleet#

The total number of caravans and campervans recorded on Australian vehicle registers at the Motor Vehicle Census date, reported as a towable and motorised split.

Occupancy rate#

The proportion of available accommodation units or sites occupied over a given period. Reported separately for cabins, powered sites and unpowered sites, because the three behave differently and a blended figure obscures more than it shows.

Average Daily Rate (ADR)#

Monthly income divided by the number of occupied units for the period. ADR measures the rate achieved on rooms or sites actually sold, not on all inventory.

Not to be confused with Australian Design Rules. See Section C.

RevPAS (revenue per available site)#

Average Daily Rate multiplied by occupancy rate. RevPAS combines rate and occupancy into a single yield measure, which is why it is a better indicator of trading performance than either figure alone.

Residential land lease community#

A community in which residents own their dwelling and lease the land it sits on. Distinct from a tourist park, though the two sometimes operate on the same site as a mixed-use park.