Can fatigue management training be completed online?

No, it has to be delivered through an NHVR approved training provider. Check with your provider on how they run their courses.

Fatigue Management Rules for Truck Drivers: What Changed on 1 August 2026

Published: August 19, 2026

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New fatigue rules kicked in for truck drivers on 1 August 2026. If you work under BFM, AFM or a fatigue accreditation, this affects you.

The good news is your old training still counts. This guide breaks down what changed, in plain talk, and shows where TDT's fatigue management courses fit in.

What Changed in Fatigue Management on 1 August 2026

Two new units started. They are called TLIF0030 and TLIF0031, and they are the new units for accreditation.
They replace the old ones. TLIF0030 is for drivers and replaces TLIF0005. TLIF0031 is for schedulers and managers and replaces TLIF0006.
Your old training still counts. If you already hold TLIF0005 or TLIF0006, you are covered and do not need to redo it.
The rollout is slow. Not every provider has the new units yet. They are rolling out through 2026 and 2027.
TLIF0007 has not changed. The Manage a fatigue risk management system unit is still valid, and it was never compulsory anyway.
Ask TDT if you are not sure. Contact TDT or call 1800 350 320 to check what you need.

Old units vs new units at a glance

Training you finished before 1 August 2026 still counts. Here is how the old units line up with the new ones, straight from the NHVR's official guidance.

Role	New required unit	Recognised alternative
Drivers under ACA-Fatigue or NHVAS	TLIF0030 Apply a fatigue risk management system	TLIF0005
Schedulers, supervisors or managers	TLIF0031 Administer a fatigue risk management system	TLIF0006
Not mandatory for accreditation	Not applicable	TLIF0007 Manage a fatigue risk management system, still valid

In short, TLIF0005 is being replaced by TLIF0030, and TLIF0006 is being replaced by TLIF0031. The new units are rolling out slowly, so not every provider has them yet, and TDT still runs TLIF0005, TLIF0006 and TLIF0007, all of which still count.

Do you need fatigue management training?

Who needs fatigue management training? You need it if you work under BFM, AFM or a similar fatigue accreditation. You do not need it if you only ever drive under Standard Hours.

You need this course if

You drive under Basic Fatigue Management (BFM)
You drive under Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM)
You are a scheduler, supervisor or manager for BFM or AFM drivers
Your employer runs NHVAS or ACA-Fatigue accreditation

You probably do not need it if

You only ever drive under Standard Hours
You stick to the normal 12 hour work limit
Your boss has not asked you to get BFM accredited

Not sure which one you are? Ask your boss, or call TDT and we will help you work it out.

Get compliant with TDT

Contact TDT Training Australia or call 1800 350 320 to check which fatigue units apply to your role and book a course date.

How long can a truck driver drive in Australia

Most drivers run on Standard Hours. That means a max of 12 hours work in any 24 hour stretch, with rest breaks built in.

Drivers on Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) can push that out to 14 hours a day, but only once accredited. Full detail is on the NHVR's work and rest page.

12h

Standard Hours

Maximum 12 hours work in any 24 hour period, no accreditation required

14h

Basic Fatigue Management

Maximum 14 hours work in any 24 hour period, requires BFM accreditation

AFM

Advanced Fatigue Management

Custom work and rest hours approved directly by the NHVR

What counts as work under fatigue rules

Fatigue rules do not just count time behind the wheel. Loading, paperwork and waiting around all count as work too.

Driving the heavy vehicle
Loading and unloading goods
Completing paperwork and work diary entries
Waiting at depots or delivery points
Attaching or detaching a trailer
Inspecting or servicing the vehicle

If you drive more than 100km from base, you need to keep a work diary. A paper National Driver Work Diary or an approved Electronic Work Diary both work.

BFM drivers must always keep one, no matter the distance. TDT's TLIE3028 Complete a Work Diary course covers all of this.

Fatigue management FAQs

New rules started on 1 August 2026. Two new training units came in, TLIF0030 and TLIF0031, and they are slowly replacing TLIF0005 and TLIF0006.

No, not if you already hold TLIF0005 or TLIF0006. That training still counts, though you can do the new units later on as a refresher if you want.

Under Standard Hours, you can work up to 12 hours in any 24 hour period. You also need rest breaks spread through that time.

BFM is an accreditation that lets you work up to 14 hours in a 24 hour period, instead of the usual 12. You and your employer both need to be accredited first.

You need it if you drive under Basic Fatigue Management or Advanced Fatigue Management, or if you are a scheduler, supervisor or manager for drivers on those schemes. If you only ever drive under Standard Hours, you do not need it.

Fatigue management units of competency must be delivered through an NHVR approved Registered Training Organisation. Check with your chosen RTO on current delivery options, since requirements can vary by unit and provider.

Related guides

Stay compliant with TDT

TDT Training Australia delivers TLIF0005, TLIF0006 and TLIF0007 fatigue management training, all currently recognised for accreditation. Contact TDT online or call 1800 350 320 to check which unit suits your role and book a course.

Chris Davis

Head of Sales & Business Development

Chris writes about trucking, logistics, and transport industry trends.