Application for approval of a road tank vehicle design

How to apply

1. Complete the Application for approval of a road tank vehicle design.
2. Provide supporting documentation including technical drawings, tank dimensions and measurements, and additional evidence as outlined below.
3. Provide evidence you have the appropriate skills to construct the vehicle design from the submitted design.

Technical drawings

Submit A3 scaled copies of the tank and vehicle technical drawings that have been signed and dated by the person certifying the design compliance. The drawings shall have a number/revision number, the date and include a legend that clearly identifies symbols.

Submitted drawings shall show:

• An overall layout drawing showing the fully configured vehicle including:
  • ground clearance to the lowest tank component
  • cabin to tank clearance
  • impact protection distance from the rear of the tank to impact surface
  • stability variables (width and height from the ground to centroid of tank)
  • location of fire extinguishers, placards, emergency placards, emergency stop buttons, etc.
  • views from each side - kerbside, roadside, rear view (including stability angle), front view (if a rigid tanker must include ADR 106 aspects)
  • any handrails, ladders and lights.
• shape and design of head/bulkheads
• coaming and hatch heights
• design and attachment method for rear bumper and under run protection
• hazardous area delineation.

Tank dimensions and measurements

Submit a copy of table 2.1 of AS 2809.2 for Class 3 Dangerous Goods, table 2.1 of AS 2809.5 for bitumen, table 3.1 and/or table 3.2 of AS 2809.4 for Class 6 and 8 Dangerous Goods showing the proposed tank dimensions and measurements.

Finite element analysis (FEA)

Submit a copy of the Finite element analysis of:

• tank barrel under maximum load
• rear bumper system under loads specified in AS 2809.1 2.1.6.3
• rear underrun impact protection with forces as specified in Annex 5 of Australian Design Rule 91.

Dangerous Goods Road Tank Vehicle Assessment Report

Dangerous Goods Road Tank Vehicle Assessment Report must be provided for each dangerous goods class and sub-risk being applied for. (i.e. methanol is Class 3(6.1) - 2809.1, 2809.2 and 2809.4 must be complied with). Statements of compliance must be made against each clause of the standards even if not applicable.

The following table is an example of an acceptable compliance statement:

Additional evidence

Depending on the complexity and features of the tank vehicle, you will need to submit additional information, including:

• Photographs - If the application is for an existing tank vehicle, you can include photographs to show specific tanker dimensions or tanker vehicle equipment. Photographs must be in colour, have a description and be clear enough to identify what is being shown.
• Technical equipment specifications - Where AS 2809 specifies minimum requirements for equipment performance or design, such as vents or safety relief valves, you must submit the manufacturer's technical equipment specification.
• Schematic drawings - If you use abstract or graphic symbols, schematic drawings must be clearly laid out to show what is being claimed for compliance. For example, a drive away/handrail interlocked with vehicle braking system.
• Technical reports - Such as a rear impact analysis, must show how it applies to the design and must be dated and signed by a suitably qualified person. You should include an executive summary that describes the objectives of the report, outcomes/findings, and conclusions in terms of compliance with the relevant clauses of AS 2809.
• Evidence of other relevant approvals or standards – For example for LP gas tankers you will need to provide documentation showing the vessel complies with AS 1210 –SAA Unfired Pressure Vessel Code.
• Information for purchaser – Provide a copy of the documentation that will be provided to the purchaser including:
  • how to carry out maintenance in accordance with the AS 2809 series
  • statement that no modifications can be carried out
  • if applicable, documentation to include required modifications to towing prime mover including battery isolations etc.

Who should verify the application?

Someone who was not involved in the design must complete the design verification statement on the application form. This person must have an appropriate qualification, level of skill and knowledge and must check the design against the relevant technical standards or engineering principles recorded by the designer.

When to submit a design approval

A DG tanker design approval application must be submitted before you complete manufacture of the tank.

A new design approval is not needed when 're-horsing' the DG road tanker if the new tanker is a like-for-like match in terms of design and construction and no aftermarket modifications have been made. This includes the tank to trailer attachment methodology, the tanker dimensions, the stability angle and clearance measurements. Prior to re-horsing, confirmation must be made that the tank complies with AS 2865-2009 Confined Space – if compliance is not achieved, then modifications will need to be made, and new design approve submitted.

*Re-horsing is when an existing tank of a previously approved tanker is mounted and fitted to a new truck/trailer.

Submitting your application

Email your application and supporting documentation to [email protected]. Files must not exceed 20MB. A fee will apply.

We aim to notify you of the outcome of your approval request within 25 working days of receiving a compliant application. If your application is not compliant, this will be returned to you so you can resubmit once compliant. During the assessment of a compliant application, we may require additional information to be provided. If additional information is required your application will be suspend until this information is received for up to 25 working days from the date of suspension. If the additional information is not provided at that time, the application will be returned and a new application (with fees) will be required.

Once approved we will post a design approval letter signed by a WorkSafe Authorised Officer and a stamped copy of the tanker vehicle drawings submitted in the application.

Fee for application

The regulations prescribe fees to meet requirements under Victoria’s Cost Recovery Guidelines.

The fee is 57.1 fee units, with the current fee value.

What if my application is rejected, cancelled or conditions applied?

You can apply for a review of a decision by WorkSafe's Internal Review Unit within 14 days from the date you receive the decision. Depending on the circumstances we may extend this period. If you are not happy with the outcome of the internal review, you can appeal the decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Modification of an existing design

A new design approval may be needed when there is a variation from the approved design. If a modification is required, an email should be sent to [email protected] confirming the design approval number and detailing the proposed modifications. Upon review of the proposed modification, WorkSafe will determine whether or not a new design approval is required. WorkSafe may request more information to make this determination.

Manufacturer verification

From the 1 April 2025 onwards, WorkSafe now requires a declaration report from each Victorian Road Tanker Manufacturer, detailing the Dangerous Goods Road Tankers built and completed in the previous month. This report must provide details of the design approval (VDGT), vehicle registration, end customer and location, and be accompanied with photographs of the compliance plate and all vehicle sides, including the top of the tanker. Reports must be submitted to the [email protected] by the 15th of each month.