Australia Heavy Vehicle National Law Safety Management System Standard 2026 S1-3: ACA fatigue, scheduling and rostering: rosters and schedules compliant with approved alternative compliance hours, documented, monitored and reviewed, planned so work is safe within operating limits under foreseeable conditions, with processes for schedule changes, extended work and unplanned events, driver scope to adjust for rest, and exceedances only in defined circumstances within approved limits with countermeasures

What does S1-3 require?

Scheduling and rostering are the central fatigue control under ACA fatigue: work is planned so that performance stays safe across individual trips and longer sequences, schedules and rosters are documented, monitored and reviewed, changes are managed to minimise fatigue risk including altered start times, extended shifts or extra work, drivers have input where practicable so trip plans are realistic, and added risks such as return from leave or unfamiliar tasks are considered; drivers may adjust trips within approved operating limits to maximise rest, and exceeding limits in defined circumstances is an exception requiring countermeasures, never routine. The criteria: rostering and scheduling policies comply with the approved alternative compliance hours; arrangements are documented, monitored and regularly reviewed; schedules allow work to be done safely within approved operating limits under reasonably foreseeable conditions; processes manage fatigue risk from schedule changes, extended work or unplanned events; drivers have appropriate scope to manage fatigue within approved limits, including adjusting schedules to maximise rest; and exceedances occur only in defined circumstances, within the limits approved for the accreditation, and with appropriate fatigue countermeasures.