If you’re involved in the automotive industry in Australia — whether as a manufacturer, importer, workshop, or vehicle verifier — understanding the ROVER system is essential. ROVER serves as the central administration platform for all activities under the Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) legislation, which replaced the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989. This guide walks you through what ROVER is, how it works, and the key updates you need to know heading into 2026.
What Is ROVER and Why Does It Matter?
ROVER stands for the Road Vehicle Standards administration system. It was introduced alongside the RVS legislation to create a unified, streamlined platform for managing all vehicle-related approvals in Australia. Rather than dealing with fragmented processes across multiple agencies or systems, ROVER brings everything together in one integrated environment.
Through ROVER, industry participants can submit and pay for applications online, track the progress of their submissions in real time, respond to requests for additional information from the Department, and receive official notifications once a decision has been made. This end-to-end visibility is a significant improvement over older paper-based or siloed systems, reducing delays and improving transparency for applicants.
Important Update: Motive Power Data Required from 1 July 2026
One of the most significant changes coming to ROVER affects submissions to the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV). From 1 July 2026, all RAV submissions must include motive power data for every vehicle type — with the exception of trailers.
This requirement applies to L, M, and N category vehicles. Any submission for these vehicle categories that does not include motive power data will be automatically rejected, regardless of which RAV entry pathway is used. This is not a discretionary field — it is mandatory, and non-compliance will result in submission failure.
If you are responsible for submitting vehicles to the RAV, now is the time to review your internal processes and data collection systems to ensure motive power information is captured and included in all future submissions. The Guide to the Register of Approved Vehicles, available on the Department of Infrastructure’s website, provides detailed guidance on how to correctly submit vehicles to the RAV under the new requirements.
Signing In: Multi-Factor Authentication Is Now Required
Security has been strengthened across the ROVER platform. Since October 2025, all users are required to sign in using a multi-factor authentication (MFA) app rather than the previous SMS-based verification method. The Department recommends using the Microsoft Authenticator app to meet this requirement.
If you are an existing ROVER user who hasn’t yet set up MFA via an authenticator app, a step-by-step guide is available on the infrastructure.gov.au website to walk you through the transition. New users setting up an account for the first time will also go through this MFA setup process as part of account creation.
This change reflects a broader commitment to protecting sensitive industry data and personal information from unauthorised access — a sensible and necessary move given the volume of commercial and regulatory information handled through the platform.
How to Create a ROVER Account
Getting started with ROVER is straightforward. New users can create an account by selecting the Sign In button on the ROVER portal and following the prompts to sign up. As part of this process, you will configure multi-factor authentication using the Microsoft Authenticator app.
A dedicated ROVER guide covering account creation and MFA setup in detail is available through the Department’s publications library. If you encounter any difficulties signing in or setting up your account, the Department’s contact team is available to assist.
Types of Approvals Managed Through ROVER
ROVER manages a broad range of approvals and registers under the RVS legislation. Each approval type has a published list accessible through the portal, giving industry participants and members of the public transparency over who and what has been approved. The main approval categories include:
Road Vehicle Type Approvals cover vehicles that have met Australian Design Rules and are approved for supply to the Australian market. This is the primary pathway for manufacturers and importers bringing new vehicle models into the country.
Authorised Vehicle Verifier (AVV) Approvals relate to individuals or organisations approved to verify that vehicles comply with relevant standards, particularly for certain import pathways.
Component Type Approvals are issued for specific vehicle components — such as lighting equipment or child restraint anchorages — that must meet prescribed standards independently of the vehicle they are fitted to.
Registered Automotive Workshop (RAW) Approvals apply to workshops approved to carry out modifications or compliance work on vehicles under the RVS framework. Having a current RAW approval is a prerequisite for operating legally in certain compliance activities.
Specialist and enthusiast vehicle register icon from the ROVER system
The Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles (SEV) Register provides a pathway for importing low-volume, specialist, or enthusiast vehicles that do not follow the standard type approval route. This register is particularly relevant for classic car enthusiasts, kit car builders, and importers of niche or limited-production vehicles.
Testing Facility Approvals are granted to facilities that conduct testing to verify vehicle or component compliance with Australian standards. Approved testing facilities play a critical role in the certification ecosystem.
Model Reports are used in the RAV submission process and provide a standardised format for documenting vehicle specifications. Approved Model Reports streamline the process of entering vehicles onto the register.
Recommended Browsers and Technical Notes
For the best experience with ROVER, the Department recommends using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox. Other browsers may not render all portal features correctly.
The ROVER resources page on infrastructure.gov.au hosts a comprehensive library of guidance material, including how-to guides for each approval type, FAQs, and process documentation. This is the first place to visit if you have questions about how to use specific features within the platform.
Getting Help and Providing Feedback
If you experience technical issues with ROVER or have questions about your application, the Department’s contact team can be reached through the enquiries page on infrastructure.gov.au. For broader questions about the RVS legislation and vehicle standards in Australia, the main vehicles hub at infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles is the authoritative starting point.
The Department also welcomes feedback from ROVER users. If you have suggestions for improving the system or have encountered problems, submitting feedback through the enquiry page helps inform ongoing development and improvement of the platform.
Whether you are a first-time applicant or an experienced industry participant, staying up to date with ROVER’s requirements — particularly the upcoming motive power data mandate and the current MFA requirements — will ensure your submissions remain compliant and your account stays secure.
References:
- Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Guide to the Register of Approved Vehicles. Australian Government. https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications/guide-register-approved-vehicles
- ROVER Portal. Road Vehicle Standards Administration System. Australian Government. https://portal.rover.infrastructure.gov.au
- Department of Infrastructure. ROVER Resources Page. https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/vehicles/road-vehicle-standards-laws/rvs-guides-and-resources