What is the RAV?

The RVSA introduces a Register of Approved Vehicles, an online, publicly searchable database of vehicles. The details of each vehicle approved for road use will be entered on the RAV. The RAV replaces the need to fit motor vehicles with physical compliance plates.

Every category NA, NB or NC vehicle must bear one or more items of Secure Vehicle Identification marking, in the form of a durable self-adhesive label, or a durable metal plate for NB and NC vehicles.

The RAV is searchable using the vehicle’s permanently marked Vehicle Identification Number. Search the vehicle’s details through the RAV search site. For a demonstration of how the RAV works, see the Videos section.

RAV identification

An organisation ID, a submitter ID number and an email address are required to create a submission. These unique ID numbers are validations for access to the RAV and should be kept confidential. IDs are in the format:

• an organisation ID: RAV00000X
• a submitter ID: RS000000X.

In ROVER, you can use the Authority to Act function to self-serve, looking up identifications and changing submitters for the RAV. To set up, refer to the RAV Identification Details Available via ROVER section of the RAV guide.

This ROVER guide shows the steps to follow to add a person as an authorised RAV submitter, to allow them to enter vehicle details on the RAV on behalf of a vehicle type approval holder.

RAV data file format

The RAV can receive data files in one of two formats: XML, recommended for type approval holders, or CSV.

The RAV validation process happens automatically upon receipt of a submission, and an automated email response is provided with the validation status of each record. Successfully validated records will appear on the public search the day after the RAV submission at the latest, subject to payment of the RAV levy. The public search data is updated twice a day, at approximately 12 noon and 12 midnight.

Up to 20,000 RAV records may be provided in a single submission data file. Further information is in the RAV guide.

When can a vehicle be added to the RAV?

A RAV submission can only occur when the:

• vehicle’s manufacturing is complete
• vehicle is covered by a type approval
• vehicle is in Australia, except when the type approval specifically allows the vehicle to be outside Australia, and
• vehicle complies with the requirements of the RVS legislation.

Once added to the RAV, the electronic record can be searched using the VIN only, through the RAV public search.

Adding a second stage of manufacture vehicle to the RAV

Second stage of manufacture involves modifying or adding to a new vehicle, the base vehicle, to create an alternate vehicle such as a motorhome. Under the RVSA, type approval holders can modify base vehicles that are on the Register of Approved Vehicles and base vehicles fitted with a Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 identification plate.

RVSA type approval holders of second stage of manufacture vehicles are responsible for adding their vehicles to the RAV. If a second stage of manufacture is performed on a base vehicle that is on the RAV, the completed vehicle will also need to be added to the RAV.

• Where the base vehicle is on the RAV, the RAV entry pathway sub-category will be Type Approval, Second Stage of Manufacture.
• Where the base vehicle is not on the RAV but is fitted with an identification plate by an MVSA approval holder, the RAV entry pathway sub-category will be Type Approval, Standard, or Type Approval, Non-standard, as applicable.

The RAV entry process

Original equipment manufacturer, vehicle type approval holder

• manufactures the base vehicle in accordance with their approval
• confirms the vehicle complies with all conditions of approval and is eligible to be entered on the RAV
• enters the vehicle onto the RAV
• provides the vehicle to the second stage manufacturer

Second stage of manufacture approval holder

• receives the base vehicle
• checks that the vehicle is on the RAV or has a Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 identification plate
• modifies or manufactures the vehicle in accordance with their approval. How a vehicle is added to the RAV is slightly different during the transition period for base vehicles fitted with an identification plate
• confirms the vehicle complies with all conditions of approval and is eligible to be entered on the RAV
• enters the vehicle onto the RAV
• provides the vehicle to the customer

Information required for a RAV entry

• Entry pathway sub-category
  The method through which the vehicle was approved to be provided for the first time in Australia. Type Approval, Second Stage of Manufacture, where the base vehicle is on the RAV. Type Approval, Standard, or Type Approval, Non-standard, as applicable, where the base vehicle is not on the RAV.
• VIN
  Vehicle Identification Number consisting of 17 alphanumeric characters.
• Approval number
  The type approval number for vehicles supplied under the type approval entry pathway, for example VTA-000001.
• Vehicle Category Code
  The code defined in the ADRs.
• Approval holder
  The name of the entity who accepts responsibility for the vehicle’s compliance with the relevant ADRs.
• Make
  The name by which the range of vehicle type is popularly known, or the trading name or business name of the manufacturing company.
• Model
  The name or code number by which the vehicles are identified.
• GVM rating, in kg
  Gross Vehicle Mass, recorded in kilograms, as defined in the ADR definitions and vehicle categories.
• Tare mass, in kg
  Tare Mass, recorded in kilograms, as defined in the ADR definitions and vehicle categories.
• GCM, in kg
  Gross Combination Mass, recorded in kilograms, as defined in the ADR definitions and vehicle categories.
• Power, kW
  Maximum engine power as defined by Regulation 85 of the UN Economic Commission for Europe.
• Seats
  The maximum number of seated adult persons that the vehicle is designed to carry and for which seating positions are provided.
• Build date
  The month and year, MM/YYYY, on which the vehicle was completed and moved from the production line.
• Authorised by number
  The number of the entity or authority authorised to add the vehicle, the organisation ID, for example RAV000001.
• Authorised by name
  The name of the entity or authority authorised to add the vehicle, the type approval holder name.

Refer to Attachment B of the RAV guide for optional fields applicable to the relevant Vehicle Category Code of a goods vehicle, N category.

Adding vehicles with an Identification Plate Approval to the RAV

For vehicles manufactured or imported with an Identification Plate Approval before an entity transitioned to a vehicle type approval, the RVSA allows those vehicles to be entered on the RAV with the following prerequisite conditions:

• the approval holder has either manufactured the vehicle in accordance with their Identification Plate Approval, or imported a vehicle under a valid import approval, including blanket approval, that allowed them to take delivery of plated vehicles
• the approval holder elected to opt in and transition the applicable Identification Plate Approval to a vehicle type approval under the Road Vehicle Standards framework, and paid the $20 application fee before 1 January 2022 using ROVER
• when the vehicles are entered on the RAV, the vehicles comply with applicable national road vehicle standards, as set out in the vehicle type approval. The build date of the vehicles is irrelevant to this requirement of the type approval pathway, see paragraph 15(d) of the Rules.

It is the responsibility of the vehicle type approval holder to check whether there have been any changes to the applicable national road vehicle standards between when vehicles were manufactured or imported under MVSA approvals and when the approval holder intends to add the vehicles to the RAV.

More information is on the Department’s second stage of manufacture webpage.

Adding vehicles to the RAV in ROVER

ROVER allows users to submit vehicles to the RAV via the ROVER portal. To submit RAV entries via ROVER, submitters must have a ROVER account and hold an Authority to Act for the approval holder. Read the ROVER guide to Authority to Act for detailed instructions.

In the ROVER home page Authority to Act tab, the submitter must ensure that the RAV Submission function is listed under Functions. If it is not listed, the submitter will need to request the entity to grant permission.

There are two ways to submit vehicles, by uploading a file in CSV or XML, or by completing a mini-form. To learn more, watch this video.

Payment of type approval RAV entry charges

The Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019 require the RAV entry charge to be paid before a vehicle is entered on the RAV.

A vehicle type approval holder can request to enter into an agreement with the Department to pay RAV entry charges after vehicles have been entered on the RAV. A separate agreement is required for each RAV organisation, which may hold one or more type approvals. For more information and to download the template written agreement, see the Department’s written agreement page.

You may apply for this written agreement any time after your organisation has created an account in ROVER, even if you have not yet had your vehicle type application approved. You only require one agreement per organisation, no matter how many vehicle type approvals the organisation holds.

Correcting or notifying an error on the RAV

Where there is an error relating to a record on the RAV, the approval holder or another person must amend the record by notifying the Department. Notification of an error on the RAV is done through ROVER. See our Correcting Information on the RAV page.

Tips for a successful RAV submission

It is important that the RAV remains accurate, as it is an authoritative source relied on by the Department, other regulators, law enforcement, insurance companies, owners and potential future owners of vehicles. Errors in a RAV entry could delay a second stage manufacture business in providing vehicles to customers, and may also lead to non-compliance with the RVS legislation.

For a successful second stage of manufacture vehicle submission, check that the:

• new base vehicle is on the RAV, or that you have made the necessary adjustments to submit the vehicle to the RAV for the first time
• RAV submission contains the right RAV entry pathway
• make and model exactly match your approval details.

To find out more tips for a successful RAV entry, see the Department’s second stage of manufacture RAV entry troubleshooter. More information can also be found on the ROVER resources page.