What do I need to do?
The Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 is the biggest legislative change the Australian caravan industry has seen in over 30 years. For recreational vehicle manufacturers and importers in Australia, the RVSA has completely transformed the industry as we knew it.
The RVSA replaced the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 and reflects the significant changes in global and domestic vehicle markets and improvements in vehicle technologies over the last few decades. It provides a modern regulatory framework for the Australian Government to regulate the importation of road vehicles into Australia, and the first provision of road vehicles in Australia.
The RVSA provides industry businesses with a level playing field, improves the safety and compliance of recreational vehicles being manufactured and imported, and arms federal government regulators with greater enforcement powers to assist in stamping out non-compliant and unsafe recreational vehicles making it onto Australian roads.
The steps to becoming RVSA ready, from identifying the relevant ADRs through to RAV entry.
The approval pathway for towable recreational vehicles of 4.5 tonnes ATM or less.
A self-evaluation tool to help low ATM trailer manufacturers and importers identify gaps before applying for approval.
The approval pathway for motorised recreational vehicles.
Component Type Approvals and the evidence component suppliers must provide.
Demonstrating effective control over design, componentry and manufacture.
Entering vehicles and trailers on the RAV.
Interactive diagram and the evidence expected against each ADR.
Interactive diagrams for base vehicle and second stage of manufacture.
Seventy three questions answered, grouped by topic.
Recorded sessions, webinars and ROVER demonstrations.
The RVSA affects all trade sectors of the recreational vehicle industry. Manufacturers and importers of low ATM trailers and motorised recreational vehicles need vehicle type approvals. Component manufacturers and suppliers may need Component Type Approvals, and must hold evidence of ADR compliance either way. Dealers and retailers need to understand what may and may not be fitted to a vehicle before it is provided to the market. Service and repair businesses need to understand the implications of modifying a recreational vehicle.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia lobbied for changes to the Motor Vehicle Standards Act for over five years before the federal parliament passed the RVSA, and participated in all four consultation groups formed by the federal government during implementation. See Our Involvement for more.
Questions you would like us to raise with the Department can be sent to [email protected]. For questions specific to your circumstances, see the Department’s contact us page.
All information is general in nature and provided in good faith. See our disclaimer of liability.
