Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P

Suitable applicants will require a minimum of a Certificate III in a relevant discipline (for example, Heavy Vehicle Fabrication, Automotive Mechanical Technology or Heavy Commercial Trailer Technology).

You will also need at least five years' experience, post-apprenticeship, in the relevant industry OR two years experience as a Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Scheme examiner.

As a certifier, you need to hold $20 million public liability insurance and $5 million professional indemnity insurance. This insurance is available under Transport for NSW’s Principal Arranged Insurance cover. Alternatively, you can operate under your employers insurance, if it meets the required criteria.

Fees for inspecting and certifying vehicles are not set by legislation and can be negotiated between certifiers and their customers.

TfNSW charges an application fee and a triennial fee for continuation of the VSCCS J&P licence.

The application fee is non-refundable. Fees also apply for administration functions and insurance. TfNSW will also receive an administration fee for every certificate of modification issued by the certifier.

See Inspection scheme fees.

If you would like to apply to become a licensed VSCCS J&P certifier, start by reading the guide Becoming a VSCCS J&P certifier (PDF, 112.69 KB). The guide includes information on:

• Working as a VSCCS J&P licensed certifier.
• Applying for a certifier’s licence.

• You will be required to submit a self assessment form outlining your experience and nominating referees who can confirm your suitability to certify J&P code modifications.
• You will be required to undergo an online assessment to confirm your knowledge and understanding of J&P code modifications and your obligations as a third party provider to TfNSW.

Please read the VSCCS J&P fact sheet (PDF, 54.5 KB) for more information. The fact sheet includes information on:

• What is involved in a competency assessment?
• What happens to my application?

• Application for a Certifier's Licence (VSCCS J&P)

• Application for Self-Certification (VSCCS J&P)

• Application Self-Declaration

• Third Party Evidence Template

• Becoming a VSCCS J&P licensed certifier (PDF, 112.69 KB) May 2015
• VSCCS J&P fact sheet (PDF, 54.5 KB)

• VSCCS J&P code of conduct for licensed certifiers (PDF, 118.44 KB) May 2025

• VSCCS bulletin 01 - Licensed Certifiers (PDF, 380.48 KB) (Revision 223)

• VSCCS Bulletin 02 - Modified or individually constructed vehicles (PDF, 172.16 KB)

• NHVR Code of Practice for the Approval of Heavy Vehicle Modifications (PDF, 158.5 KB)

• Australian Design Rules

• Heavy Vehicle Modifications - Body Mounting (Section J)

• Heavy Vehicle Modifications - Tow Coupling/Fifth Wheels (Section P)

What are J and P code heavy vehicle modifications?
J and P code refers to the modification of heavy vehicle body fits and tow coupling/fifth wheels, respectively.

These modifications are listed in Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 (VSB6) which sets out the requirements for modifying a heavy vehicle (see the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development website for modifications listed on the VSB6).

Why do J and P code modifications now require certification?
NSW adopted the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) in February 2014 which requires heavy vehicle modifications in NSW to be certified by licensed certifiers including body-fit (J) and tow-coupling/fifth wheel (P) code modifications.

In the meantime, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has issued a National Operational Advice exempting J and P code modifications until 1 July 2015.

Will there be more J and P code licensed certifiers across NSW?
TfNSW is adding a second tier to the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS) to allow suitably qualified licensed certifiers to solely certify body-fit (J) and tow-coupling/fifth wheel (P) modifications for heavy vehicles.

TfNSW predicts the VSCCS J&P will increase the number of licensed certifiers able to certify J and P code modifications throughout NSW, including in regional areas.

What are the separate charges and fees for VSCCS J&P licensed certifiers?
TfNSW sets fees for all schemes on a cost recovery basis. This means TfNSW only charge what it costs to run the scheme.

TfNSW will charge Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P (VSCCS J&P) licensed certifiers in order to meet the costs for delivering the expanded Vehicle Safety Compliance Certificate Scheme J&P. See Fees for details.

This fee reflects the fact that VSCCS J&P licensed certifiers will be restricted to certifying only body fit (J) and tow coupling/fifth wheel (P) code modifications and not able to certify other modifications listed on Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 (see the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development website).

What are the insurance costs and requirement if I become a J and P code licensed certifier?
VSCCS J&P licensed certifiers have two options:

• Obtain insurance cover with TfNSW’s Principal Arranged Insurance (PAI) to protect against public liability and professional indemnity. The costs are $2,000 for public liability and $800 for professional identity. More information will be published on this website when the scheme starts in mid-2015.
• Arrange your own insurance, as an individual or under your employer’s insurance coverage, to meet the following requirements:
  1. The name, address and contact details of the individual insured under the insurance policy and, if appropriate, the company insured under the policy (including the ABN).
  2. The business description must explicitly cover vehicle certification activities of the individual Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P (VSCCS J&P) licensed certifiers and include vehicle inspection, testing, operation and certification that the vehicle complies with the applicable vehicle standards and any other work incidental thereto as undertaken in accordance with Part 5A of the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2007 and the VSCCS J&P Licence Conditions for licensed certifiers.
  3. The period of insurance, being a minimum of 12 months.
  4. The limits of liability being a minimum of:
     1. combined liability with $20 million public liability insurance for any one claim or series of claims arising from one occurrence, and
     2. $5 million professional indemnity insurance for any one claim or series of claims arising from one event and in the annual aggregate for all claims combined during the period of insurance.
  5. TfNSW must be a named insured under the combined liability policy for public liability or indemnified under the insurance policy for public liability.
  6. If the policy is held in a company name, a natural person who has made an application for a certifier’s licence or renewal of a certifier’s licence must be a named insured.
  7. The insurance policy must cover each person for the certification of vehicles or vehicle modifications in accordance with Part 5A of the Regulation, the VSCCS J&P Conditions of Licence for licensed certifiers and any other activity incidental thereto. The certification of vehicles and vehicle modifications work covered must be to Heavy Vehicle National Law applicable vehicle standards.
  8. The insurance cover must be provided by an Australian Prudential Regulation Authority approved insurer.

How much can VSCCS J&P licensed certifiers charge heavy vehicle operators to certify modifications?
TfNSW will not set fees. Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P licensed certifiers should set fair and reasonable prices. Customers can shop around to get the best deal.

What qualifications and experience will be required to become a VSCCS J&P licensed certifier?
The Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P (VSCCS J&P) will require licensed certifiers to have significant experience with five or more years post-apprenticeship in the relevant industry.

Alternatively, the scheme will be open to licensed certifiers in the Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Scheme (HVAIS) with at least two years experience.

In addition, licensed certifiers will be required to have Certificate III trade qualification in one of the following areas:

Relevant qualifications for VSCCS J & P (all are Certificate III):

• Course No. 6258 - Heavy Vehicle Mobile Equipment
• Course No. 7296 - Vehicle Body (Fabrication)
• Course No. 6260 - Heavy Vehicle Road Transport
• AUR30999 - Automotive (Mechanical – Heavy Vehicle Mobile Equipment, Plant/Earth Moving/Agriculture)
• AUR30899 - Automotive (Mechanical – Heavy Vehicle Road Transport)
• AUM35101 - Automotive manufacturing (Bus, Truck & Trailer)
• AUR30405 - Automotive Mechanical Technology (Heavy Vehicle Road Transport) (Heavy Vehicle Mobile Equipment)
• AUM35108 - Automotive Manufacturing (Bus/Truck/Trailer)
• AUR31812 - Heavy Commercial Trailer Technology
• AUR31112 - Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
• AUR31212 - Mobile Plant Technology
• AUM30212 - Automotive Manufacturing Technical Operations – Bus, Truck and Trailer
• AUM30213 - Automotive Manufacturing Technical Operations – Bus, Truck and Trailer

Why are the qualification requirements for entry into the scheme lower than the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme?
The reduced entry requirements for VSCCS J&P reflect the limited scope of work that these licensed certifiers will be able to perform.

TfNSW has conducted extensive consultation and research in conjunction with industry groups and their training and qualification experts and with the Automotive Training Board of NSW. These discussions revealed that a Certificate III in a relevant discipline combined with suitable experience reflect appropriate entry requirements for entry into the scheme.

Will VSCCS J&P licensed certifiers be allowed to self certify body fit (J) and tow coupling/fifth wheel (P) code modifications?
Yes. Applicants to the second tier VSCCS J&P who wish to self-certify must:

• Complete the self certification form.
• Be the holder of a Motor Vehicle Repairers licence with NSW Fair Trading.
• Ensure that the premises you are operating from are licensed for the purpose.
• Provide evidence of any specialist equipment requirements.
• Provide evidence of quality assurance procedures that ensure the completed vehicle that is the end product of the modification and certification process complies with all Australian Design Rules.

Will licensed certifiers in the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P be able to certify modifications to other Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 codes?
No. Licensed certifiers in the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P will only be allowed to certify body fit (J) and tow/fifth wheel coupling (P) code modifications.

How does TfNSW maintain high standards of safety and professionalism in its schemes?
TfNSW audits participants in its schemes including the current Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS). TfNSW plans and conducts scheduled and targeted audits. Targeted audits are based on intelligence.

TfNSW applies the NSW Government’s Better Regulation Principles when designing regulatory schemes, including the VSSCS J&P. See the Better Regulation website for more information on the NSW Government’s approach to regulation.

How can I become licensed to certify body fit (J) and tow coupling/fifth wheel (P) code modification if I am already a licensed certifier of the existing Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme?
Licensed certifiers under the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS) continue to certify modifications in specific licence categories according to their competence.

Licensed certifiers under the VSCCS can apply to add body fit (J) and tow coupling/fifth wheel (P) code modifications to their licences if they are not already licensed to do so.

Will members of Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Scheme (HVAIS) be allowed to join the scheme?
Yes. Members of the Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Scheme (HVAIS) will be able to join the scheme as long as they have appropriate insurance cover, meet the entry requirements and meet the licence conditions.

How can I join the scheme and become a Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P licensed certifier?
If you meet entry requirements to join the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P you are welcome to submit an online application.

Further details on enrolment start dates and application processes will be published on this website and shared with industry.

Applicants will also need to meet the conditions of the licence as well as a fit and proper test.

How can I find a Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P licensed certifier?
You will be able to find a Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P licensed certifiers through this website when the scheme starts officially in mid-2015. View the current licensed certifiers.

How can I give feedback?
In addition to the recent Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme J&P Discussion Paper, TfNSW welcomes ongoing feedback and consultation.

Please send your comments or questions to heavyvehicles@transport.nsw.gov.au and we will respond promptly.