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Government Transport Quick Links
Government Publications
Government Acts and Regulations
Government Environmental Legislation (As referred to in BIC EMS)

There are many government agencies that contribute to legislation and operating standards in the public transport industry. Keep up to date with both state and federal initiatives and emerging legislation that directly affect your business. If you need assistance on any public transport issue, be it road infrastructure, route networks, safety and security or service delivery then a good place to start is always with your state association. However, this site page will also give you direct access to the relevant state and federal authorities that may assist in resolving issues effecting your public transport system.

While your associations can provide an active service in representing your business needs, it is vitally important to canvas your local, state and federal government agencies to voice your concerns. The BIC (Bus Industry Confederation) holds an annual pilgrimage to Canberra, the BIC lobbying day, to enable operators from around the nation to rally together to debate legislative changes and your needs as a business community. This rally is an important tool to better enable a progressive and fair public transport system which ensures the economic health of your business. Please visit the BIC website for more information on this lobby event.

Government Transport - Quick Links

Commonwealth
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Commonwealth

Land transport; road safety; civl aviation and air navigation; aviation security; delivery of regional and rural specific services; and maritime transport.
The Australian Government policy for improved planning and accelerated development of Australia's land transport infrastructure.

DOTARS
Office of Transport Security

Improving the security of Australia's transport system and reducing the likelihood of transport being a target or used as a tool for terrorism.
Deals with the non-regulatory aspects of air, sea, rail and road safety in Australia and reports on transport safety.
An inter-jurisdictional Ministerial forum, coordinating and integrating transport and road policy issues at a national level.
Building the competitiveness of Australian business and fostering excellence in Australian science and technology.

DEWR
Department of Employment & Workplace Relations

Contributing to strong employment growth and the improved productive performance of enterprises in Australia.
The Australian Government statutory authority responsible for international and domestic tourism marketing as well as the delivery of research and forecasts for the sector.
Bringing together community and government programs advocating voluntary alternatives to private travel.

New South Wales

ITSRR

Responsible for NSW rail safety regulation.
NSW Ministry of Transport
An independent statutory body undertaking safety investigations in the NSW rail, bus and ferry systems.
Licensing, registration, safety, traffic, road works, envioronment (including EIS exhibition such as the Cross-City Tunnel.
New public transport ticketing system being developed for the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area.
Assisting transport and land use planners to make informed decisions by providing information on current and future travel patterns and employment and population trends.

Northern Territory

Coordinating planning and development of the Terrirtory's economic infrastructure. Planning for the sustainable development of the NT. Comprised of: Transport Safety; Road Network; Road Transport; Transport Policy and Planning; Public Transport Branch and Darwin Bus Service
Sets safety standards, provides guidance materials and helps organisations meet their responsibilities.

Queensland


Responsible for stewardship of the state-controlled road system. Integrated within the overall transport system.
Ensuring a coordinated, consultative and integrated appraoch to addressing and resolving transport challenges.

Cooardinating the integration of south-east Queensland's publi ctransport system, to make public transport more relaible, flexible and easy to catch.
Develops and implements legislation and provides information, education and advice relating to workplace health and safety matters. Administers the QLD Industrual Court and Commission.

South Australia

Provides the South Australian Transport Network

The Public Transport Division of DTEI

Operates and coordinates Adelaide's public transport system.

Tasmania

DIER

Links to government provision of transport services.
State owned, passenger transport company.

Victoria

Victorian Department of Infrastructure - Public transport page.
The lead privuder of essential infrastructure in Victoria, with responsibility for transport, ports and marine freight, information and communication technology, major development, energy and security.
Your guide to public transport in metropolitan Melbourne.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission page with information on Transport Accessability
The Public Transport Ombudsman has been established as a free, confidential and impartial alternative dispute resolution scheme available to people who use or are affected by the public passenger transport services, or public transport-related activities of the public transport operators.

Western Australia

PTAWA

The Public Transport Authority (PTA) is responsible for the following transport services: rail, bus and ferry services in the metropolitan area (Transperth);
public transport services in regional centres;
coach and rail passenger services to regional areas (Transwa); and
school buses.In addition to these transport services, the PTA is responsible for designing and building transport infrastructure.

Government Publications

Bus
Operator
Handbook

National
Transport
Commission


Bus Industry Confederation

The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) and the National Transport Commission (NTC) have developed this Bus Operator Handbook to act as a quick reference guide for bus
and coach operators and those wishing to enter the industry to understand the major regulatory requirements and management practices to be a bus and coach operator
in Australia.

Guidelines for
Bus Operator
Accreditation

National Transport Commission The National Transport Commission regularly meets with bus regulators from all jurisdictions. At a
meeting in 2003 it was agreed that the bus industry, and people wishing to enter the bus industry
would benefit from a publication summarising the different bus and coach operator accreditation
requirements in each State and Territory.
Guidelines for
the Disability
Discrimination
Act
Bus Industry Confederation The Standards referred to in this Guide are the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport. These are
prescribed under section 31 of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The Standards in turn refer frequently to
Australian Standards AS1428.1 and AS1428.2
Destination and Satisfaction Survey of 2004 HSC VET Students in NSW NSW Department of Education and
Training
This study was undertaken to determine the value to students of VET in Schools programs in New South Wales, given that the number of students undertaking VET subjects as part of their HSC has increased dramatically in recent years.
Almost 54,000 NSW students in Years 11 and 12 enrolled in one or more HSC VET subjects in 2004, representing 35% of the total number of students. Of these, around 40,000 students were from government schools, which means that slightly more than four in every ten senior government school students enrolled in
at least one HSC VET subject in 2004.
Drug and Alcohol Issues:
An Agenda for Workforce Development in NSW
NSW Department of Education and
Training
The NSW Summit on Alcohol Abuse in 2003 and the Drug Summit in 1999 found that a capable workforce is a key factor in preventing drug and alcohol problems and reducing
the impact of these problems on families, communities and workplaces. The publication Drug and Alcohol Issues: An Agenda for Workforce Development in NSW sets out the goals to be achieved for the development of this workforce and identifies
priority areas for its growth. It is an inspiring and challenging Agenda – a comprehensive program to address a worldwide problem at both state and local levels.
Strategic Evaluation of Vocational Education and Training in Schools in NSW NSW Department of Education and Training As the Destination and Satisfaction Survey of 2004 HSC VET Students in New South Wales by the University of Melbourne shows, students have resoundingly endorsed the value of the NSW vocational education and training in schools program.
Students’ enthusiasm for VET in schools is unequivocal.
Melbourne University reports that “the value of VET in schools in New South Wales cannot be overstated. [The study] shows that HSC VET students successfully access a broad range of study and labour market destinations, and that they also unequivocally
endorse the value of their VET in schools subjects”.
This evaluation reached the same conclusion.
The student survey results were mirrored in almost all of the extensive consultations conducted for the evaluation. The consultations confirmed that New South Wales has a VET in schools program that is working to the benefit of students, employers and the community.

Government ACTS and Regulations

Commonwealth
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Commonwealth ROAD TRANSPORT REFORM (VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC) ACT 1993 An Act to assist in the adoption of nationally uniform or consistent road transport laws
ROADS TO RECOVERY ACT 2000 An Act to provide funding to supplement expenditure on roads
TRANSPORT SAFETY INVESTIGATION ACT 2003 An Act to provide for investigation of transport accidents and other matters affecting transport safety, and for related purposes
ROAD TRANSPORT REFORM (HEAVY VEHICLES REGISTRATION) ACT 1997 An Act to make provision for registration of heavy vehicles and for related matters as part of the system of nationally consistent road transport laws
New South Wales - Acts NSW Passenger Transport ACT 1990 This is the latest version of this legislation.
Legislation on this site is usually updated within 3 working days after a change to the legislation.
This version was last updated on 20 June 2006.
This version relates to the period commencing on 20 June 2006 to date.
Road Transport Act 2005 This Act and the regulations made under it form part of the road transport legislation
identified by section 5. Other road transport legislation includes the Road Transport (Driver
Licensing) Act 1998, the Road Transport (Heavy Vehicles Registration Charges) Act 1995, the
Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Act 1999, the Road Transport (Vehicle
Registration) Act 1997, the Motor Vehicles Taxation Act 1988 and the regulations made under
those Acts. As part of the road transport legislation, this Act is subject to various provisions in
this Act concerning the administration and enforcement of the road transport legislation
generally.
NSW Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Act 1998 This Act is the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Act 1998.
NSW Road Transport (Heavy Vehicle Registration Charges) Act 1995 This Act is the Road Transport (Heavy Vehicle Registration Charges) Act 1995.
Regulations Passenger Transport (Bus Services) Regulation 2000 This is the latest version of this legislation.
Legislation on this site is usually updated within 3 working days after a change to the legislation.
This version was last updated on 16 June 2006.
This version relates to the period commencing on 16 June 2006 to date.
Passenger Transport (Drug & Alcohol Testing) Regulations 2004 This is the latest version of this legislation.
Legislation on this site is usually updated within 3 working days after a change to the legislation.
This version was last updated on 23 September 2005.
This version relates to the period commencing on 23 September 2005 to date.
Passenger Transport (General) Regulations 2000 This is the latest version of this legislation.
Legislation on this site is usually updated within 3 working days after a change to the legislation.
This version was last updated on 31 August 2005.
This version relates to the period commencing on 27 May 2005 to date.
Northern Territory - Acts Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act 2006 An Act to regulate the carrying of passengers in motor vehicles for hire or reward, and for related purposes
Disability Services Act An Act to set out the principles to be furthered with respect to persons with disabilities and objectives for providers of services and researchers; to make various provisions for the funding of disability services; and for related purposes
Regulations Passenger Bus Regulations Regulations under the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act
Minibus Regulations Regulations under the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act
Tourist Vehicles Regulations Regulations under the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act
Special Vehicle Functions Regulations Regulations under the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act
Queensland Transport Operations
(Passenger Transport) Act
1994


Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Interim Standard (No. 2) 2005

Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Regulation 2005

Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Standard 2000


RELATED ACTS
Anti-Discrimination Act1991

Drugs Misuse Regulation 1987

Weapons Act 1990

Transport Planning and Coordination Act 1994

Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995



Traffic Regulation 1962

Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2005

Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Driver Licensing) Regulation 1999

Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Fatigue Management) Regulation 1998

Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Mass, Dimensions and Loading) Regulation 2005

Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Road Rules) Regulation 1999

Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Vehicle Registration) Regulation 1999

Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 1999

Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2003
Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995



Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 Revision Notice

Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997

Workplace Health and Safety (Codes of Practice) Notice 2005

South Australia - Acts Passenger Transport Act 1994 An Act to reform public transport services within the State; and for other purposes.
Road Traffic Act 1961 An Act to consolidate and amend certain enactments relating to road traffic; and for other purposes.
Disability Services Act 1993 An Act to provide for the funding and provision of disability services in accordance with certain principles and objectives; and for other related purposes.
Motor Vehicles Act 1959 An Act to make provision for the registration of motor vehicles, drivers licences and third party motor insurance; and for other purposes.
Tasmania - Acts Vehicle & Traffic Act 1999 An Act to provide for the licensing of drivers of motor vehicles, to provide for the registration of motor vehicles and trailers, to provide for the imposition of motor tax and for other purposes
Road Transport (Consequential & Transitional) Act 1997 An Act to amend certain Acts and provide for transitional and savings matters consequent on the enactment of the Passenger Transport Act 1997 and for the purposes of statute law revision and related purposes
Regulations Passenger Transport Regulations 2000 Passenger Transport (Review of Decisions) Regulations 2000 The Governor in and over the State of Tasmania and its Dependencies in the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, make the following regulations under the Passenger Transport Act 1997.
Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2001 This legislationt sets out various requirements relating to bus construction and fittings, so that they can be operated safely and without discomfort to drivers and passengers.
Victoria - Acts Transport Act 1983 The Transport Act covers railways, taxis, hire cars and ticketing. It provides for:

* the establishment of the Director of Public Transport and VicRoads
* traffic regulation, registration and licensing
* licensing and operation of taxis, hire-car vehicles and tow trucks
* prosecutions, enforcements and penalties for infringements relating to tickets, transport use and safety work
* the establishment and powers of the Director, Public Transport Safety
* a hierarchy of rail safety compliance, enforcement and inspection powers
* infringements and penalties related to rail safety.

Public Transport Competition Act 1995 The Public Transport Competition Act was established to improve the operation of bus services by introducing a system of service contracts for certain types of transport service. The Act also includes provision for bus operator accreditation within Victoria.
Transport Legislation (Safety Investigation) Act 2006 The Transport Legislation (Safety Investigations) Act commenced on 1 August 2006. It establishes an investigations regime and the office of the Chief Investigator, Transport and Marine Safety Investigations which is responsible for inquiring into all train, tram, bus and marine incidents in Victoria.
Regulations Transport (Conduct) Regulations 2005 These regulations replace parts of the Transport (Passengers and Rail Freight) Regulations 1994. The regulations:

* regulate the use of seating and other accommodation on public transport vehicles consistent with fairness and community standards
* regulate the conduct of persons on and in relation to public transport vehicles and premises.

Transport (Infringements) Regulations 1999 These regulations relate to a number of ticket and transport infringements and safety work infringements and cover the form of infringement notices, the method of services and payment of penalties.
Transport (Infringements) (Consequential & Restructuring Amendment) Regulations 2005 These regulations make consequential and restructuring amendments to existing infringements regulations. For example, the regulations:

* transfer infringements relating to taxi-cabs, passenger vehicles and tow-trucks from the Road Safety (General) Regulations 1999 to the Transport (Infringements) Regulations 1999 and
* update references to ticket and transport infringements as a result of the making of the Transport (Ticketing and Conduct) Regulations 2005, the Transport (Passenger Vehicles) Regulations 2005 and the Transport (Taxi-Cab) Regulations 2005.

Transport (Passenger Vehicle Regulations) 2005 These regulations relate to the operation of private bus companies and buses within Victoria and include provisions governing licence requirements for bus drivers, vehicle specifications and behavioural and ticketing requirements for passengers.
Transport (Roads & Property) Regulations 1993 These regulations deal with the management of the arterial road network and associated infrastructure including City Link and the West Gate Bridge.

The regulations cover such items as permits for digging up roads, removing obstructions and preventing damage to roads and other property of VicRoads. They also control the use of advertising hoardings and access rights to freeways.

Transport (Ticketing) Regulations 2006 These regulations clarify and restructure public transport ticketing laws and consolidate the laws into one set of regulations.
Western Australia - Acts Public Transport Authority Act 2003 An Act to establish a State agency responsible for providing public passenger transport services anywhere in the State and performing functions under other Acts, to amend or repeal certain Acts, and to provide for related matters.
Road Traffic Act 1974 An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to road traffic; to repeal the Traffic Act 1919 and for incidental and other purposes.
Accessable Public Transport Act The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (the Transport Standards) are regulations under the Disability Discrimination Act which must be applied to the provision of public transport services.

All Australian public transport jurisdictions are required to comply fully with the Transport Standards by 2032, in a staged approach. The first target compliance date is 31 December 2007.

Transport Co-Ordination ACT 1966 An Act to provide for the co-ordination, planning and advancement of all forms of transport in this State, to provide for the review, control and licensing of transport services and for incidental and other purposes.

Government Environmental Legislation (as referred to in BIC EMS)

Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Australian Capital Territory

An Act to provide for measures to protect atmospheric ozone passed by The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory
An Act to provide for the protection of the environment, and for related purposes
An Act relating to the use of land in the ACT, and for related purposes

New South Wales

An Act to protect the environment; to replace other environment protection legislation; and for other purposes.
Noise pollution is defined under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) as 'the emission of offensive noise, which means noise that by reason of its level, nature, character or quality, or the time at which it is made, or any other circumstances, is harmful (or is likely to be harmful) to or interferes unreasonably (or is likely to interfere unreasonably) with the comfort or repose of a person outside the premises from which the noise is emitted'. The POEO (Noise Control) Regulation 2000 sets certain limits on noise emissions from motor vehicles, vessels and domestic use of certain equipment.
This Act regulates the transport of dangerous goods (other than explosives) by road and rail as part of a national scheme for road transport. It substantively re-enacts the Commonwealth's Road Transport Reform (Dangerous Goods) Act 1995.
An Act to institute a system of environmental planning and assessment for the State of New South Wales.
This Act establishes the EPA, the Board of the EPA, two community consultation forums, and the NSW Council on Environmental Education; and
requires the EPA to make a report on the state of the environment every 3 years. The objectives of the EPA are listed in section 6 of the Act. The overriding objective is to protect, restore and enhance the quality of the environment in a way that integrates economic and environmental considerations.
The Act sets up the Hazardous Chemicals Advisory Committee. Its functions include advising the EPA in relation to the assessment and control of chemicals that are environmentally hazardous. The EPA may assess chemicals under the Act. The EPA may declare substances to be chemical wastes for the purposes of the Act. Examples of substances that have been so declared include dioxin contaminated waste materials and PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) wastes.
This Act provides a broad power to make regulations to control or prohibit the production and use of: substances that deplete stratospheric ozone when emitted into the atmosphere and articles that contain or use those substances in their operation.
This Act:promotes waste avoidance and resource recovery; repeals and replaces the Waste Minimisation and Management Act 1995; establishes a scheme to promote extended producer responsibility in place of industry waste reduction plans; and continues the Waste Fund for the purposes of funding relevant programs.
An Act to establish the Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation as a statutory State owned corporation to exercise certain functions in relation to waste; to dissolve the Waste Recycling and Processing Service of New South Wales; to make consequential amendments to other legislation; and for other purposes.

Northern Territory

An Act to provide for the assessment of the environmental effects of development proposals and for the protection of the environment
An Act to provide for appropriate and orderly planning and control of the use and development of land, and for related purposes
An Act to provide for the protection of the environment through encouragement of effective waste management and pollution prevention and control practices and for related purposes
An Act to make provision for the prevention of soil erosion and for the conservation and reclamation of soil
An Act to provide for the investigation, allocation , use, control, protection, management and administration of water resources, and for related purposes
An Act to regulate the water supply and sewerage services industries and for other purposes
An Act to make provision for safety in the transport of dangerous goods by road as part of the system of nationally consistent road transport laws and to make provision for safety in the transport of dangerous goods by rail
An Act relating to Public Health

Queensland

The object of this Act is to protect Queensland’s environment while allowing for development that improves the total quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains the ecological processes on which life depends (ecologically sustainable development).

An Act to make provision about sewerage, sanitary conveniences, stormwater drainage and water supply.

An Act to facilitate the management of contaminated land and for related purposes.
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the administration and management of non-freehold land and deeds of grant in trust and the creation of freehold land, and for related purposes
An Act to provide for State planning and development through a coordinated system of public works organisation, for environmental coordination, and for related purposes.
An Act to provide for the sustainable management of water and other resources, a regulatory framework for providing water and sewerage services and the establishment and operation of water authorities, and for other purposes
An Act to provide for the sustainable management of water and other resources, a regulatory framework for providing water and sewerage services and the establishment and operation of water authorities, and for other purposes

South Australia

An Act to regulate the keeping, handling, transporting, conveyance, use and disposal, and the quality, of dangerous substances; and for other purposes
An Act to provide for planning and regulate development in the State; to regulate the use and management of land and buildings, and the design and construction of buildings; to make provision for the maintenance and conservation of land and buildings where appropriate; and for other purposes.
An Act to provide for the protection of the environment; to establish the Environment Protection Authority and define its functions and powers; and for other purposes.
An Act to consolidate and amend certain Acts relating to municipal and district councils, and to amend various other Acts.
An Act dealing with public and environmental health; to repeal the
Health Act 1935, the Noxious Trades Act 1934 and the Venereal
Diseases Act 1947; and for other purposes.
An Act to consolidate certain Acts relating to the conservation of water.
An Act to provide for the management of the State's water resources; and for other purposes
An Act to provide for the conservation and rehabilitation of the land of this State; and for other purposes.

Tasmania

An Act to provide for the management of the environment and the control of pollution in the State, to repeal the Environment Protection Act 1973 and the Chlorofluorocarbons and other Ozone Depleting Substances Control Act 1988 and to amend the Local Government (Building and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993
An Act to regulate the manufacture, transport and sale of dangerous goods, to regulate other activities in relation to such goods, to repeal the Dangerous Goods Act 1976 and for related purposes
An Act to provide for local government and establish councils to plan for, develop and manage municipal areas in the interests of their communities
An Act to protect the State waters from pollution by oil and other substances, to give effect to certain parts of the Marpol Convention, and for related purposes, and to repeal the Oil Pollution Act 1961
An Act to provide for the management of Tasmania's water resources and for other purposes

Victoria

Environment Effects Act 1978
The purpose of this Act is to create a legislative framework for the protection of the environment in Victoria having regard to the principles of environment protection.
The purpose of this Act is to make certain provisions for the protection of the sea and certain waters from pollution by oil and other noxious substances and to implement the Marpol Convention.
This Act may be cited as the Land Act 1958, and shall come into operation on a day to be fixed by proclamation of the Governor in Council published in the Government Gazette.
This Act has the following purposes- to re-state, with amendments, the law relating to water in Victoria; to provide for the integrated management of all elements of the terrestrial phase of the water cycle; to promote the orderly, equitable and efficient use of water resources; to make sure that water resources are conserved and properly managed for sustainable use for the benefit of present and future Victorians; to maximise community involvement in the making and implementation of arrangements relating to the use, conservation or management of water resources; to eliminate inconsistencies in the treatment of surface and
groundwater resources and waterways;
The main purpose of this Act is to provide for the reform of the water
industry.
The purpose of these Regulations is to prescribe waste and industrial waste for the purposes of the Environment Protection Act 1970; prescribe requirements for the transport and management of prescribed waste and prescribed industrial waste including requirements for the transport and tracking of prescribed industrial waste

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