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RVMAP

New Compliance and Enforcement Strategy 2026 to 2029

What It Means for the Caravan Industry

Overview

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (the Department) has published its Compliance and Enforcement Strategy 2026–2029.  It explains how the Department will administer the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA) and associated subordinate legislation over the next three years, and sets out the objectives, principles and priorities that will guide its compliance monitoring and enforcement activities.

The RVS legislation governs the design, manufacture, importation and first provision of road vehicles in Australia, along with certain road vehicle components.  That scope reaches directly into the caravan industry. 

Why this matters for the caravan industry Many recreational vehicle manufacturers, importers and component suppliers are regulated entities under the RVS legislation.  If your business holds, or is applying for, a vehicle type approval)  or a component type approval, this strategy describes the standards the Department will use to assess your compliance over the next three years.

What the Strategy is Trying to Achieve

The Department states that the objective of the strategy is to ensure the effective operation of the regulatory framework by delivering outcomes that:

  • support vehicle safety
  • reduce emissions
  • prevent vehicle theft
  • maintain consumer trust in the vehicle market

These outcomes sit within a broader compliance model made up of four graduated response types:  voluntary, assisted, directed and enforced compliance.  The model is intended to guide an escalating regulatory response as risk or non-compliant behaviour increases, and it also supports the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Act 2024 (NVES).  Refer to the Road Vehicle Regulatory Approach for more information.

An Intelligence-led, Risk-based Approach

The Department describes its approach as intelligence-led and risk-based, meaning compliance and enforcement effort is directed toward the regulated areas and entities that pose the greatest risk.  That approach is informed by the RVS legislation, industry intelligence, reports of alleged non-compliance and the evolving automotive industry, including the rapid uptake of electric vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Nine principles sit underneath this approach:

Voluntary compliance promoted and encouraged through communication and education.

Risk-based regulatory effort addresses the most serious and systemic risks.

Intelligence-led and evidence-based data and trend analysis inform proactive activity.

Proportionate responses match the scale of the risk being managed.

Consistent actions and in accordance with documented procedures.

Outcomes focused effort is prioritised to improve overall industry compliance.

Fair and transparent decisions are communicated clearly and made fairly.

Responsive, agile and efficient response to credible allegations and new data while minimising unnecessary burden.

Professional staff act respectfully, courteously and with integrity.

How Matters are Prioritised

In assessing and triaging compliance matters, the Department gives priority to:

  • serious safety risks, particularly those that may result in injury or harm
  • widespread, systemic or repeated non-compliance
  • impacts on vulnerable consumers, including where particular groups may be disproportionately affected
  • emerging technologies or market developments where uncertainty or information asymmetry increases risk
  • deliberate or reckless behaviour indicating disregard for regulatory obligations

The Department’s response is proportionate to the level of risk and harm identified, and can range from education and engagement through to strong enforcement action.

Three Focus Areas for 2026 to 2029

The strategy names three focus areas that will guide proactive compliance and enforcement activity over the period.  Each will be delivered using the full range of tools available under the compliance model, applied proportionately to risk and behaviour.

1. Strengthening Accountability for Repeated Non-compliance

Objective:  improved approval holder capability and accountable compliance behaviours

  • Targeted compliance monitoring inspection programs for higher-risk approval holders, including concessional and repeat non-compliant cohorts.
  • Use of approval conditions to strengthen governance, quality controls and evidence expectations.
  • Faster escalation of enforcement responses where non-compliance persists.
Relevance Approval holders with a history of repeat findings, including those operating under concessional arrangements, should expect closer and more frequent attention.

2. Responding to Regulatory Challenges from Emerging Vehicle Technologies

Objective:  early identification and control of compliance risks linked to emerging technologies and new market entrants

  • Intelligence triggers developed and maintained for emerging vehicle categories.
  • Targeted compliance monitoring of new entrants and higher-growth categories.
  • Clear, accessible guidance published to support voluntary compliance and reduce ambiguity.
  • Proportionate enforcement action for importing or providing road vehicles without a relevant approval.
  • Post-approval market surveillance and technical intelligence gathering, including for ADAS and other safety-related systems.
Relevance Businesses introducing new vehicle categories, technologies or componentry, including electric and technology-equipped models, are likely to see more active monitoring under this focus area.

3. Supporting Approval Holder Understanding of Quality Systems and Testing Facility Integrity

Objective:  approval holders better understand the importance of effective quality system documentation and reliable testing facility evidence, and take responsibility for maintaining compliant systems

  • Inspection findings and intelligence used to identify and communicate common weaknesses in quality system documentation and testing evidence.
  • Targeted information requests and approval conditions to clarify expectations for procedures, record keeping, change control and evidence traceability.
  • Targeted compliance monitoring of testing facility integrity, including the reliability, currency and relevance of Australian Design Rules (ADR) evidence.
  • Proportionate responses ranging from education and engagement through to stronger enforcement where systemic issues are not addressed.
Relevance The Department is explicit that it will not design, strengthen or operate quality systems on behalf of approval holders.  That responsibility remains with the approval holder, which makes this a good moment for approval holders to review their own quality system documentation and testing evidence.  Instead, the Department will set clear regulatory expectations, use compliance monitoring inspections, approval assessments, information requests, and approval conditions to help approval holders understand their obligations, identify gaps early and take responsibility for durable improvements to their systems, procedures and records.

Staying Informed and Raising Concerns

To support regulated entities in their commitment to voluntary compliance, we will continue to publish and maintain guidance and information about compliance and enforcement under the RVSA. More information is available on the Department’s website: Compliance and Enforcement Under the RVSA.

The Department will continue to publish quarterly updates through The Regulatory Report, which covers the number of vehicles on the Register of Approved Vehicles, application assessment timeframes, recalls, compliance and enforcement matters, and stakeholder engagement and enquiries.

Members who wish to report suspected non-compliance or a vehicle safety concern can do so through the Department’s dedicated reporting channel.  For information on reporting suspected non-compliance or safety concerns, refer to Reporting a Vehicle Safety or Non-compliance Issue.

The Department notes that information from the public, industry and other regulators helps it identify emerging concerns and informs future compliance planning.

Where an applicant or approval holder is not satisfied with the Department’s response or action on a compliance matter, it can raise the issue with the relevant area handling the matter, or lodge a formal complaint through the Department’s website (refer to the Complaints Fact Sheet).  For certain decisions made under the RVS legislation, an applicant or approval holder may also have review rights through relevant review mechanism (for example, the Administrative Review Tribunal or successor arrangements as applicable).  Reviewable decisions are set out in the Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019.

For further questions or assistance, head to the Department’s RVSA-dedicated Contact Us page.