A Risk Consultant's Perspective on Australia's Premier Heavy Vehicle Maintenance Conference
Why I Attended: As Principal Risk Consultant at Mind Solutions, I'm constantly looking for insights into emerging risks, compliance trends, and practical solutions that can help our clients in the heavy vehicle sector. TMC25 was my first time attending, and it delivered beyond expectations.
Walking into the Victoria Pavilion, I was struck by the scale and diversity of the exhibition. This wasn't just another conference—it was a genuine convergence of regulators, technology providers, compliance specialists, and operators all in one space. For someone focused on risk management, the opportunity to have face-to-face conversations with key players across the entire heavy vehicle ecosystem was invaluable.
The expanded venue worked well, though the sheer number of concurrent sessions meant some difficult choices. I focused primarily on regulatory updates, emerging technologies that impact risk profiles, and compliance tools that could benefit our clients.
Here's who I connected with and what caught my attention from a risk management perspective:
Essential conversations about the upcoming HVNL reforms and what they mean for compliance frameworks. Their team was generous with time explaining the practical implications of the new safety duty requirements and how they're approaching enforcement in the transition period.
Great insights into industry advocacy positions and upcoming policy changes. Their perspective on balancing productivity with safety obligations was particularly relevant for our client advisory work.
Impressive IoT and telematics solutions for fleet monitoring. From a risk management lens, their real-time data capabilities for fatigue, speed, and vehicle health monitoring could significantly enhance risk visibility for operators.
Specialised compliance management tools that align well with Chain of Responsibility obligations. Had productive discussions about their approach to audit trails and documentation—critical for demonstrating due diligence.
Data analytics platform that caught my eye for its ability to identify risk patterns across fleet operations. Their predictive analytics for maintenance scheduling could help shift from reactive to proactive risk management.
Vehicle data acquisition systems that provide granular insights into vehicle performance and driver behavior. Strong potential for objective evidence in incident investigations and continuous improvement programs.
Deep dive into their certified load restraint curtains—a critical component that's often overlooked in risk assessments. Understanding certification requirements and performance standards for curtain-siders is essential for load restraint compliance.
Discussed air suspension and braking systems. Their technical knowledge around maintenance intervals and failure indicators is crucial information for risk assessments.
Fascinating discussion about their upcoming Bluetooth capability for battery health monitoring. Remote diagnostics and predictive alerts could significantly reduce breakdown risks and improve maintenance planning—watching this space with interest.
As the main event sponsor, their booth was impressive. Brief chat about vehicle standards and OEM perspectives on maintenance best practices.
Excellent conversation about their Performance Solutions for loads that don't meet standard restraint requirements. This is where risk management gets practical—understanding when standard methods are inadequate and what engineered solutions exist.
Route planning and optimisation tools that consider environmental and efficiency factors. Interesting angle on how route selection impacts fatigue, fuel costs, and carbon footprint.
Brief but valuable conversation about privacy considerations in an increasingly connected transport environment. With all the data collection happening across the industry, privacy obligations are becoming a real compliance consideration.
Multiple conversations with training providers about workforce development and skills gaps. The human factor remains the most complex risk variable in this industry.
Beyond the vendor booths, some of my most valuable conversations were with actual drivers and small operator representatives. These informal discussions revealed:
These insights are gold for risk consultants—understanding where theory meets practice is essential for developing realistic, effective risk management strategies.
I prioritised sessions on:
The sophistication of available monitoring and compliance tools means "we didn't know" is becoming an increasingly weak defense. Clients need to understand what technology is reasonably available and assess whether implementation is "reasonably practicable" under their primary duty.
Multiple vendors demonstrated how data analytics can shift safety from reactive to predictive. The question isn't whether to collect data—it's how to use it effectively and what obligations exist once you have visibility of risks.
As supply chains become more fragmented and technology enables greater visibility, the practical application of CoR obligations becomes more complex. Clear documentation, well-defined responsibilities, and robust communication systems are essential.
Conversations with TAFE and training providers underscored the workforce shortage. This isn't just an operational issue—it's a safety risk when experienced personnel are spread thin or when maintenance is performed by less qualified individuals.
The HVNL reforms, upcoming dimension changes, and enhanced enforcement approaches mean compliance frameworks need regular review. What was adequate last year may not be sufficient next year.
I'm following up with several vendors to explore how their solutions could support our client work, particularly:
I'm also keen to deepen relationships with the NHVR team and stay connected with the regulatory reform process. Understanding where enforcement priorities are headed helps us provide better forward-looking advice.
As my first TMC, this exceeded expectations. The combination of technical depth, regulatory updates, and genuine industry networking made it time well spent. For anyone in risk management, compliance, or fleet operations, this is an essential event.
I'll definitely be back next year—and now I know to book accommodation earlier and bring more comfortable shoes!
If you attended TMC25 or want to discuss any of the themes I've touched on here, I'd love to continue the conversation.