Approved Inspection Station compliance checks and enforcement

We regularly undertake compliance checks on new and existing Approved Inspection Stations (AIS). This is to ensure the AIS and any approved examiners are complying with their legislative responsibilities and conditions of their approval or accreditation.

If you are a new AIS, a compliance check is scheduled within 6 months after the approval is granted. This is to ensure you have the required equipment listed in the Business Rules for Approved Inspection Stations. If you have a mobile AIS, it must be present at your fixed AIS premises for the compliance check.

Further compliance checks may be scheduled at any time while your AIS approval is current.

The compliance check process

Our transport inspectors are responsible for organising the compliance check with the AIS approval holder and/or their nominee.

When transport inspectors arrive at your fixed AIS premises, they will explain the purpose and requirements of the compliance check. They will use the AIS Compliance Checklist (the compliance checklist) to record the results of the compliance check. 

Inspection certificates issued by your AIS may be requested to check that the inspection certificates have been completed correctly. They will also check that your AIS and any approved examiners are approved and accredited for the type of vehicle inspection that was conducted.

The equipment required to be kept at the AIS (including any mobile AIS) will be checked to ensure:

• it performs the function it was designed for; and
• approved examiners can demonstrate the correct operation of the equipment.

Records may be requested to verify the required equipment has been maintained to the manufacturer’s specifications. For example, when the brake testing decelerometer was last calibrated and if it complies with the manufacturer’s specifications (if applicable).

Reporting compliance check findings

At the end of the compliance check, the transport inspector will discuss the results with the AIS approval holder and/or their nominee. If a non-compliance is found during the compliance check, it will be recorded in the compliance checklist and a corrective action notice may be issued.

A non-compliance is a contravention of your legislative responsibilities or the conditions of your AIS approval or approved examiner's accreditation.

A corrective action notice is an action request for you as the AIS approval holder, your nominee or your approved examiner. This is to rectify the non-compliance and to prevent a recurrence.

A corrective action notice will include information about the:

• non-compliance
• corrective action to be taken to prevent recurrence
• date for completion of the corrective action

You or your nominee will be given the opportunity to comment, rectify and close-out any corrective action notice. You may also ask for a copy of the compliance checklist, which will be provided within 5 working days after the request was made.

Common reasons for issuing corrective actions

Common reasons for issuing a corrective action notice include the:

• required equipment is not being kept at the AIS (including mobile AIS) or being maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
• inspection area is not adequate for the type of vehicle the AIS is approved to inspect
• approved examiner cannot demonstrate the correct operation of equipment (for example, the operation of a brake decelerometer)
• approved examiner does not complete inspection certificates correctly
• AIS approval holder is charging more than the regulated fee for an inspection certificate. Refer to the AIS fee schedule.
• approved examiner did not have a current driver licence for the type of vehicle inspected at the time of conducting the road test component of the inspection
• AIS does not have access to or cannot locate online the current Business Rules for Approved Inspection Stations, Queensland Light Vehicle Inspection Manual or National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual
• AIS approval holder has not kept records and unused books in a safe and secure place at the fixed AIS during their normal business hours.
• AIS does not have the required AIS sign
• mobile AIS does not have the required sign.

Enforcement action

Serious or recurrent non-compliance with legislative responsibilities or conditions of approval or accreditation may result in the issue of a penalty infringement notice. Action may also be taken to amend, suspend or cancel the approval or accreditation.

If this is the case, the AIS approval holder, nominee or approved examiner will be provided with a written notice, known as a 'show cause' notice. The notice will state the proposed action, grounds for the proposed action and the facts and circumstances that form the basis of the grounds. The AIS approval holder, nominee or approved examiner will have an opportunity to respond to the show cause notice before any decision is made.

Contact us

Email:	ais@tmr.qld.gov.au
Phone:	13 23 80 (ask for AIS Administrator)
Post:	AIS Administrator Approved Inspection Station Scheme Department of Transport and Main Roads PO Box 673 FORTITUDE VALLEY  QLD  4006