Agricultural operators and contractors have been warned not to assume that every multi-trailer combination is covered by the new national agricultural notice.
The National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2026 commenced on 14 August, providing eligible agricultural vehicles and combinations with mass and dimension exemptions and access within designated agricultural zones.
A key condition depends on the hauling unit.
A prime mover or rigid truck may travel under the notice with only one trailer or implement. An agricultural vehicle or agricultural machine may tow up to two trailers or implements, subject to the remaining conditions.
Eligible combinations may be up to 35 metres long and 45 tonnes, with an axle limit of up to 12 tonnes. Those maximums are not universal entitlements: the applicable combination type, jurisdiction, agricultural zone, braking method, tow-mass ratio and route must all be checked.
Pilot and escort requirements can also apply according to width, while warning signs, flags and lights must comply with the notice.
Check before travelling
A combination that does not satisfy the notice is not automatically authorised simply because it is being used for agricultural work. The operator must identify another applicable notice or obtain a permit before travelling.
The practical check is to identify the hauling unit first, count every trailer and implement, then read the relevant jurisdictional schedule and current network conditions.
The notice applies in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, but the permitted dimensions, zones, routes and conditions are not uniform.
Related WWTG explainers: How do I read a national or state notice and check its conditions?, What are Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 heavy vehicles? and What is the difference between a notice, a permit and pre-approval?