Road Safety Programs

Australia has committed to a goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads (Vision Zero) by 2050.

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.

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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 four years from 2022-23.

The NRSAGP provides non-infrastructure grants to deliver the Australia Government’s implementation of the National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25 priorities through five funding streams:

First Nations road safety
Community Education and Awareness, including workplace road safety
Technology and Innovation
Research and Data
Vulnerable Road Users, including pedestrians, children under seven, the elderly, road workers, riders of motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and e-scooters

The NRSAGP will be delivered as an open, competitive grants round with program guidelines expected to be released in June 2023 seeking submissions for funding.

Car Safety Ratings Program

A further $16.5 million to the Car Safety Ratings Program to improve testing protocols for new light vehicles and provide safety evaluations for used vehicles. It is expected program guidelines will be released in June 2023.

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.

Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP Safety)

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP Safety) is an independent safety ratings program that provides information for consumers on the level of safety provided by both new and used vehicles, showing how well a vehicle protects its occupants from death or serious injury in a crash. The Australian Government has committed $8.96 million from 2016-17 to supporting ANCAP Safety until 2022-23. Learn more about ANCAP Safety.

Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR)

The Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR) program provides consumers with independent information on the level of safety offered by used vehicles in the event of an accident. The USCR program is funded as part of the Australian Government’s $8.96 million ANCAP Safety funding commitment from 2016-17 until 2022-23. Learn more about the Used Car Safety Ratings program.

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.