Austroads and Transport Certification Australia (TCA) have welcomed a new guide to support the road transport industry’s effective use of GPS and telematics systems.
The guide has been developed by the South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA) and the Australian Trucking Association (ATA).
Released at the SARTA Conference 2025, GPS and Telematics Systems: A Guide for Road Transport Industry Users and Vendors is a practical resource informed by a survey of transport operators.
The guide presents key findings, includes operator insights, and offers practical advice to help transport operators and vendors select, procure, and maintain GPS and telematics technologies that improve safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.
Austroads CEO and Managing Director of TCA, Dr Geoff Allan, said: “We recognise the significant contribution SARTA and the ATA have made by gathering industry input and producing this comprehensive guide.
“It truly reflects the voice of the industry and will serve as a valuable tool for both operators and vendors.”
Austroads Strategic Engagement and Performance General Manager, Gavin Hill, said: “The road transport industry now relies on GPS and telematics systems for the safe, compliant efficient operation of heavy vehicles and drivers.
“What the guide highlights is that not all systems are created equal, which means the reliability and integrity of data generated by these systems can’t be taken for granted.”
“Just because data is collected from GPS and telematics systems, does not make the data from unverified systems being suitable for all safety, compliance and operational purposes.”
Hill said that, according to the survey results, more than 66 per cent of transport operators now use TCA type-approved telematics devices and/or TCA certified systems.
“This highlights how the transport industry is placing a value on the independent assessment and approval of GPS and telematics systems provided by TCA,” he said.
Austroads is the peak organisation for road transport and traffic agencies in Australia and New Zealand, providing leadership, guidance, and research to improve road safety and transport efficiency.
TCA’s type-approval, certification and audit processes provide users with assurance that the reliability and integrity of GPS and telematics systems satisfy TCA’s functional and technical requirements.
TCA said the type-approval and certification overcome the need for individual transport operators to do their own due-diligence on GPS and telematics systems, as the TCA independently assesses the performance of telematics devices and systems.
The guide suggests selecting GPS and telematics systems from one of the 15 suppliers of type-approved telematics devices and 12 certified service providers currently available. There are 9 type-approved suppliers of Smart OBM (On-Board Mass) systems, which can be paired with certified service providers to obtain accurate mass measurements on heavy vehicle combinations.
Only those providers and systems that satisfy the rigorous standards receive the TCA certification mark, providing confidence in data accuracy and dependability.
TCA is an Austroads business unit. It delivers independent certification of telematics systems used across the Australian road transport industry, ensuring data accuracy, privacy, and operational reliability under the National Telematics Framework.
As the administrator of the National Telematics Framework (NTF), TCA securely collects and manages heavy vehicle data nationwide.
This framework supports governments and industry in monitoring vehicle movements, infrastructure planning, and adopting risk-based road use management.
The organisation has also broadened its certification portfolio by approving new application service providers, telematics devices, and infrastructure management systems, offering greater assurance and choice for operators.
Read more news about the work of the ATA in the trucking industry.
