Road Safety Programs

The Australian Government is committed to Vision Zero – zero deaths and serious injury due to road crashes, by 2050. We want all road users in Australia to get home safely from every journey, no matter the distance travelled.

The Australian Government’s Office of Road Safety facilitates the work towards Vision Zero by federal, state, territory and local governments and the road safety sector. This includes:

  • administering road safety infrastructure and non-infrastructure programs through the Australian Government’s $33.4 billion, four-year road safety investment
  • administering grants for sector-led road safety initiatives
  • developing new programs and initiatives to support Vision Zero and interim targets set through the National Road Safety Strategy.

National Road Safety Action Grants Program

Through the May 2023 Budget, the Australian Government has committed $43.6 million to deliver the National Road Safety Action Grants Program (NRSAGP) over 4 years from 2022-23.

The NRSAGP provides non-infrastructure grants to deliver the Australian Government’s implementation of the National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25 priorities through 5 focus areas:

  1. Community Education and Awareness, including workplace road safety
  2. Vulnerable Road Users
  3. First Nations road safety
  4. Technology and Innovation
  5. Research and Data

The NRSAGP will be delivered as a merit-based, open grant opportunity.

Applications have now closed.

Supporting documentation

  • National Road Safety Action Grants Program Guidelines PDF: 401 KB
  • National Road Safety Action Grants Program Application Form DOCX: 241 KB
  • National Road Safety Action Grants Program Budget Template XLSX: 62 KB
  • National Road Safety Action Grants Program Frequently Asked Questions PDF: 202 KB

Car Safety Ratings Program

The Australian Government has committed $16.5 million to the Car Safety Ratings Program over the next five years. This Program supports independent vehicle safety assessments, providing critical information for consumers on the level of safety provided by both new and used vehicles.

The Government has committed $16.3 million to the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) to continue to support ANCAP’s core new car star rating program, and also star ratings for new electric vehicles, hybrids and other alternative-powered vehicles, and commercial vans and large utility vehicles. The Government has also committed $250,000 to the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) to continue the vital work required to develop and provide annual updates to the Used Car Safety Ratings.

Australian Government road safety initiatives

The Australian Government is investing $33.4 billion over four years from 2020-21 to improve safety on Australian roads. This is part of a $120 billion investment in transport infrastructure to manage our growing population, meet our national freight challenge and get Australians home sooner and safer. 

Local roads and community infrastructure

The Australian Government is working in partnership with state, territory and local governments to deliver safety improvements and upgrades to local roads and community infrastructure

Targeted Road Safety Works

As part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government has committed $500 million to supporting road safety improvements delivered by states and territories that can be completed within 12 months.

Supporting sector-led road safety programs

The Australian Government also supports a range of sector-led programs focused on improving the safety for Australian road users.

Digital Road Safety Passport

The Australian Road Safety Foundation’s Digital Road Safety Passport, also known as ‘Roadset’, is a free online interactive learning tool to help young people become better road users. With a focus on year 9 students, the program covers the foundations of road safety, including getting to and from school safely. The Australian Government has committed $1.8 million to the Roadset program from 2019-20 until 2021-22. Learn more about the Digital Road Safety Passport (Roadset).

Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI)

The Australian Government provides $5.5 million each year to support implementable, value-for-money projects that deliver tangible improvements to heavy vehicle safety. Learn more about the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.