Freight transport plays a significant role in the Australian economy with transport businesses moving freight long distances by road between Australia's widely spread population centres. Half a million registered heavy vehicles operated in Australia in 2012, and the need for freight transport continues to grow.

All heavy vehicles that do not meet general mass and dimension limits now need to obtain a permit to pass safely over public roads. Historically, the heavy freight operators had to apply separately to each state, territory and local government road manager for these permits.

In 2011, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to the creation of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to administer one set of rules under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. COAG intended the NHVR to be a one-stop-shop for access permits.

The NHVR's new access management system went live on 10 February 2014. By the end of the first week, industry operators were not satisfied with the NHVR's system and processes and they complained. The NHVR had to delegate responsibility for processing permits back to the participating states and territories.

This audit examines how well the NHVR has addressed the root causes of the access management system failure, and whether it is now on track to deliver its access management responsibilities.