Independent price regulation of heavy vehicle charges

As part of the Australian Government’s response to Infrastructure Australia’s Australian Infrastructure Plan, and in line with the Transport and Infrastructure Council’s Heavy Vehicle Road Reform Road Map, the Department undertook a public consultation process to seek public and industry views on options for independent price regulation of heavy vehicle charges. This consultation took place from 25 May 2017 to 14 July 2017.

Independent price regulation is a critical step in the Government’s heavy vehicle road reform agenda. It will provide the basis for a pricing system in which:

• decisions on heavy vehicle charges are made at arm’s length from government;
• the reasons and evidence for pricing decisions by the independent regulator are readily available and transparent; and
• pricing decisions by the independent regulator are binding on governments.

The discussion paper proposed three options for which entity could take responsibility for independent price regulation. The Australian Government sought input from stakeholders on the merits of independent price regulation and which organisation would be best placed to carry out this task. Further details, background and an explanation of independent price regulation for heavy vehicle charges are set out in the discussion paper.

• Independent price regulation of heavy vehicle charges PDF: 2206 KB 

Consultation on the discussion paper has now closed.

Submissions will be used to inform the Government’s approach to heavy vehicle charging reform and can be accessed below.

In 2018 there was further consultation on independent price regulation. For more information on the 2018 consultation, please refer to Regulation Impact Statement on independent price regulation of heavy vehicle charges.