Audit framework and requirements
Under the national agreed scheme business rules all audits are to be conducted by an approved independent auditor. These auditors must be certified by the
Registered Accreditation Board Quality Society of Australasia International* to be recognised as a National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) auditor by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Successful audits of an operator’s compliance with the relevant module standards are critical to retaining approval under the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme. Audits may take various forms:
| Type of Audit | Requirements |
|---|
| Entry audit |
Certifies that a management system for accreditation is in place, is being used and adheres to the scheme standards before accreditation is granted. |
| Six month compliance audit |
For the first accreditation period, an operator's management system must undergo an audit within the first six months of operation in the scheme.
It is recommended that this audit be booked with an approved auditor as soon as the Department of Transport and Main Roads accreditation approval letter is received to avoid any delays. If an audit has not been received six months into accreditation an operator’s accreditation will automatically be suspended. |
| Renewal compliance audit |
It is the operator's responsibility to submit the audits to the department three months prior to an operator’s accreditation expiring. Accreditation is issued for a period of two years and must be renewed every two years.
If a renewal application is not received, an operator’s accreditation will automatically be cancelled at midnight of the accreditation expiry date. |
| Triggered audit |
Initiated by the department if non-conformances are identified via on-road breach, intercept report, serious crash or other means. |
| Random audits |
May be conducted at the discretion of the department. |
Spot Checks
Departmental auditors randomly conduct Spot Checks on scheme member's management systems. The objective of conducting Spot Checks is to indicate to the department that the accredited operators are complying with the conditions of approval and the NHVAS Accreditation Standards.
Transport Inspectors may carry out random inspections in conjunction with departmental auditors to identify that the condition of a vehicle(s) is consistent with the national standard.
The Spot Check Checklist (developed from the NHVAS Mass, Maintenance and Fatigue Management Accreditation Standards) has been introduced as an independent indicator to the national audit matrix. Non-compliance identified during these spot checks may result in sanctions being imposed and/or show cause notice including suspension or cancellation.
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