ACA-F Explained: The New Fatigue Accreditation Replacing BFM and AFM Under the HVNL
ACA-F Explained: The New Fatigue Accreditation Replacing BFM and AFM Under the HVNL
Major Changes to Fatigue Management and Accreditation Under the HVNL
Australia's heavy vehicle industry is entering a new era of safety and compliance. As part of significant amendments to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is transitioning the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) to the new Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (HVA) scheme.
The transition commences on 1 August 2026 and represents one of the most significant regulatory changes affecting heavy vehicle operators in recent years. The reforms are designed to strengthen safety outcomes, modernise accreditation requirements, and encourage operators to adopt more comprehensive safety management systems.
For operators currently accredited under Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) or Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM), understanding these changes is essential to maintaining compliance and operational flexibility.
Why Is the NHVR Changing the Accreditation Framework?
The revised HVNL places greater emphasis on proactive risk management rather than prescriptive compliance alone.
Historically, fatigue accreditation was managed through two separate pathways:
Basic Fatigue Management (BFM)
Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM)
While these schemes provided operators with additional work and rest hour flexibility, the NHVR identified opportunities to modernise the framework and align it with contemporary safety management practices.
The new accreditation model focuses on:
Improved safety outcomes
Risk-based fatigue management
Enhanced operator accountability
Stronger safety management systems
Consistent accreditation standards nationally
The transition aims to ensure operators can demonstrate how they identify, assess, control, and monitor fatigue-related risks within their businesses.
What Is Replacing BFM and AFM?
Under the amended HVNL, both BFM and AFM will be phased out and replaced by a single accreditation category known as:
Alternative Compliance Accreditation – Fatigue (ACA-F)
ACA-F provides a unified framework for fatigue management accreditation and introduces a more structured approach to assessing operator fatigue controls.
Rather than fitting within predefined BFM or AFM categories, operators seeking flexibility beyond Standard Hours will need to demonstrate that their safety systems effectively manage fatigue risks.
This marks a significant shift from compliance-focused accreditation to a safety performance-based model.
The New Foundation: General Safety Accreditation (GSA)
One of the most important changes under the HVA scheme is the introduction of General Safety Accreditation (GSA).
Before an operator can apply for ACA-F, they must first develop and implement a compliant Safety Management System (SMS) through GSA.
What Is General Safety Accreditation?
GSA is designed to verify that an operator has systems and processes in place to manage safety risks across all aspects of their operations.
A compliant SMS typically includes:
Fatigue risk management procedures
Driver health and wellbeing processes
Incident reporting systems
Risk assessment methodologies
Training and competency management
Vehicle maintenance procedures
Compliance monitoring systems
Continuous improvement programs
The NHVR's approach recognises that fatigue management cannot be effectively separated from broader operational safety management.
What Is a Safety Management System (SMS)?
A Safety Management System is a documented framework that helps operators systematically manage safety risks.
Rather than reacting to incidents after they occur, an SMS encourages businesses to identify hazards before they lead to accidents, injuries, or compliance breaches.
Key elements generally include:
Safety Policy
Defines the organisation's commitment to safety and compliance.
Risk Management
Processes to identify, assess, and control operational risks.
Responsibilities and Accountability
Clear assignment of safety responsibilities throughout the business.
Monitoring and Review
Regular auditing and performance measurement.
Continuous Improvement
Mechanisms to improve safety outcomes over time.
For many operators, implementing a robust SMS may represent the most significant operational change resulting from the new accreditation framework.
How ACA-F Works
Operators applying for ACA-F must submit proposed work and rest schedules to the NHVR for assessment and approval.
Unlike previous arrangements where operators selected BFM or AFM hours, ACA-F requires operators to demonstrate that their proposed arrangements effectively manage fatigue risks.
The NHVR will assess:
Operational requirements
Fatigue controls
Risk mitigation measures
Driver welfare considerations
Safety performance data
Alignment with SMS processes
This approach allows greater flexibility while maintaining strong safety safeguards.
NHVR's New Templated Tables of Hours
To assist operators transitioning to ACA-F, the NHVR has developed ten templated Tables of Hours.
These templates provide pre-designed work and rest arrangements that operators may choose when applying for accreditation.
The templates are intended to:
Simplify applications
Reduce administrative burden
Improve consistency
Support operators unfamiliar with designing bespoke fatigue schedules
Operators can select a suitable template or develop their own custom work and rest arrangements for NHVR assessment.
Can Operators Create Their Own Fatigue Management Schedule?
Yes.
One of the advantages of ACA-F is the ability to submit a bespoke Table of Hours.
This allows operators to design fatigue management arrangements that better suit their operational requirements.
Custom schedules may be beneficial for:
Long-haul freight operations
Livestock transport
Remote area logistics
Time-sensitive freight
Mining and resources sectors
Specialised transport activities
However, bespoke tables will require robust supporting evidence demonstrating that fatigue risks are appropriately managed.
The stronger the operator's SMS and fatigue risk controls, the greater the likelihood of successful approval.
Understanding the Legislated Outer Limits
Although ACA-F introduces greater flexibility, the NHVR remains bound by legislative limits under the HVNL.
For solo drivers, the maximum flexibility that can be approved includes:
Maximum Work Time - 15.5 hours of work within a 24-hour period
Minimum Rest Time - 7 hours of rest within a 24-hour period
These limits represent the absolute boundaries available under ACA-F.
The NHVR cannot approve arrangements that exceed these legislated thresholds regardless of operational requirements.
This ensures that flexibility remains balanced with road safety obligations.
What Does This Mean for Current BFM and AFM Operators?
Operators currently accredited under BFM or AFM should begin planning for transition well before renewal periods.
Key preparation steps include:
Review Existing Fatigue Systems
Assess whether current procedures align with a modern SMS framework.
Develop a Safety Management System
Businesses without a formal SMS should prioritise implementation.
Train Staff and Drivers
Ensure employees understand the new requirements and responsibilities.
Assess Operational Requirements
Determine whether a templated Table of Hours or bespoke arrangement will best support the business.
Engage Compliance Specialists
External expertise can assist with accreditation preparation and gap analysis.