Heavy vehicle charges should increase no more than 4 per cent in 2026-27, the ATA’s response to the 2026-27 heavy vehicle charges consultation report from the NTC says.
The report sought industry feedback on a proposed 6 per cent increase in heavy vehicle road user charges and registration charges for the coming year.
The trucking industry has been subject to 6 per cent increases in each of 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 – a compound increase of 19 per cent.
The submission says the industry cannot absorb a fourth 6 per cent increase, given intense financial pressures from rising costs, high interest rates, driver shortages, natural disasters and record insolvencies.