Changes to light trailer importing and manufacturing laws

From 1 July 2023, new laws will come into effect around importing and manufacturing light trailers.

If you manufacture or import low aggregate trailer mass (ATM) trailers, you will need approval from the Australian Government to bring them in or provide them to the Australian market.

Light trailers have an ATM of 4.5 tonnes or less.

Transitional arrangements are in place until 30 June 2023. Read more on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications website.

What the changes mean

Once the laws change, you will no longer:

  • self certify that your trailer meets vehicle standards
  • need trailer compliance plates on your trailer - vehicle plate requirements will apply.

All trailers will need to have trailer compliance information listed on the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) online database.

Approvals

Two types of approval will be available:

  • vehicle type approval
  • concessional RAV entry approval.

The approval you need depends on how many trailers you plan to manufacture or bring into Australia.

Read below to find out which approval you need.

If you provide more than 4 low ATM trailers to the Australian market in a 12-month period, you must apply for a vehicle type approval.

A vehicle type covers a make of trailer and a trailer category.

If you provide 4 or fewer low ATM trailers to the Australian market in a 12-month period, you must apply for a concessional approval.

The Northern Territory will no longer issue a vehicle identification number (VIN) for a trailer that falls under this category.

The Australian Government will issue you a VIN as part of the approval process.

For a printable version of the changes, get the fact sheet PDF (574.4 KB).

How to apply

To apply for approval or for more information, go to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications website.

Contact

To find out more, email RVSAimplementation@infrastructure.gov.au or call 1800 815 272.

If you're overseas, call +61 2 6274 7444.

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