Background on the ROVER System

The ROVER system was introduced as part of the Road Vehicle Standards Act, a framework designed to replace the Motor Vehicle Standards Act and modernise vehicle importation, certification, and compliance across Australia.

The intention behind ROVER was to enhance safety, compliance, and environmental standards, especially for mainstream vehicles.

Initially, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), including cranes, were largely excluded from the system, as it was primarily developed to handle high-volume, general-use vehicles like passenger cars and trucks.

However, since 2022, SPVs have been included within ROVER’s scope, meaning our industry must now comply with processes designed for a very different vehicle market. This has created new administrative and logistical hurdles for the crane industry, as ROVER was not originally built with the unique needs of SPVs in mind.

Our goal is to ensure a workable, efficient ROVER process that recognises the unique needs of cranes.