NSW: Great Western Highway Road Closure at Victoria Pass Work and Rest Hours Exemption

The NHVR has published the National Heavy Vehicle New South Wales Great Western Highway Road Closure at Victoria Pass Work and Rest Hours Exemption 2026 (No.1), which temporarily increases allowable fatigue hours, with safeguards in place, to support freight detours on the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass.

The notice

Commences Monday 30 March 2026 and expires Tuesday 30 June 2026.  

Under the exemption

Fatigue-related heavy vehicles operating under Standard Hours will be able to work an additional:

• 2 hours per 24 hours, up to 14 hours
• 4 hours per 7 days, up to 76 hours, and
• 6 hours per 14 days, up to 150 hours.

Fatigue-related heavy vehicles operating under Basic or Advanced fatigue accreditation will be able to work an additional:

• 1.5 hours per 24 hours
• 2 hours per 7 days, and
• 4 hours per 14 days.

Short rest breaks (at least 15 minutes) must be taken after no more than four hours of work. Night work must be limited to no more than six times in 14 days.

Please note

Eligible drivers using a work diary must record the exemption and note the time and detour used. 

For more information  

For more information on the conditions of the exemption, refer to the published Notice. Please continue to refer to the Great Western Highway Road Closure at Victoria Pass page for ongoing updates.