What makes the difference between someone who's qualified and someone you'd trust to manage traffic when lives are on the line?

CTA trainer Paul has spent decades working on the road. Over the years, he's seen students walk into class unsure of themselves, then experience those "light bulb" moments where the theory finally makes sense because they've put it into practice. He's also seen what can happen when people step onto site without the right preparation.

As Paul puts it:

"The material can be like dried Weet-Bix. Industry examples and knowledge add the milk and sugar. That's what makes it easier to digest."

In this interview, Paul shares why practical training sits at the heart of CTA's approach, why every near miss is an opportunity to learn and why preparing people for the realities of the job will always matter more than simply helping them pass a course.

He also explains how that same philosophy carries through to CTA's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process and the opening of the new Lara training centre, creating more opportunities for people across Melbourne's West to build practical skills before stepping onto a live worksite.

Every person who arrives on a worksite expects to go home at the end of the day. So does every driver passing through it. That's the responsibility behind every lesson Paul teaches and every decision he asks his students to make. His perspective is one every trainer, employer and traffic controller should take the time to read.

Read the full article:

https://traintogaingroup.edu.au/news/beyond-the-classroom-practical-traffic-management-training/

While just over a quarter (27 per cent) of Australians live in rural and remote communities, almost seven in ten road fatalities (69 per cent) occur on rural roads. Last year alone, 906 Australians lost their lives on rural roads.

It's why TMAA is calling on all drivers to step up for road safety and heed the call for action during Rural Road Safety Month this August.

Rural roads are long and unforgiving, and the high speeds involved only compound the risks. At 110 km/h, drivers travel 100 metres roughly every three seconds. To put that in perspective, if you were driving at 110 km/h, you would have covered 100 metres in less time than it took you to read the last sentence.

It's why drivers need to slow down, and stay alert and calm. It means sharing the road and the responsibility, and taking to rural roads with more than just your destination in mind. Rural Road Safety Month gives us the opportunity to reflect on how we can be safer drivers on rural roads - before it's too late.

Rural Road Safety Month is an initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF). ARSF has provided a range of resources which we encourage you to share with family, friends and colleagues to remind them to step up for road safety. You can access these resources from the ARSF website.

Help spread this important road safety message by sharing on your social media, or prominently displaying road safety messages in communal spaces at your workplace.

Of course, the easiest behaviours that we can change are our own. So next time you get behind the wheel, make sure you put that seat belt on, drive to the conditions, keep a safe speed, and keep distractions like mobile phones out of sight. If you're tired, or affected by drugs or alcohol, never get behind the wheel. And if you're passing the road crews and traffic controllers working hard to keep our roads safe, slow down, give them space, and follow their directions at all times.

With road fatalities continuing to head in the wrong direction, Join the Journey and make a personal promise to choose road safety during Rural Road Safety Month this August.

TMAA has released the results of its 2025 Traffic Management Industry Survey, and is using the insights to drive its advocacy efforts in support of members and the temporary traffic management (TTM) sector.

TMAA's 2025 Industry Survey was the fifth edition of the survey. It is the largest survey of the TTM sector in Australia, providing TTM operators with critical data to benchmark their practices nationwide, including fleet size and investment levels, training levels and workforce capability, industry outlook, and safety levels.

The results of the latest survey saw 'Road Construction' replace 'Utilities' as the largest generator of business activity for survey participants; road construction accounted for over a third of participants' business activity.

Further, there was a small dip in the volume of business activity generated by local government. This declined from 36 per cent in 2024 to a reported 32 per cent in the 2025 results.

Nonetheless, the survey results also point to green shoots for the TTM sector, with long-term trends showing increased investment in fleets and the average number of utes in operator fleets.

However, worker safety remains a key concern for many operators, who continue to report poor behaviour by motorists in workzones. This includes distracted, speeding or intoxicated drivers disobeying traffic control, as well as abuse and aggression from members of the public towards workers who are just trying to do their jobs.

TMAA therefore continues its calls for greater law enforcement activity against drivers doing the wrong thing in workzones. This poor driver behaviour is putting the lives of traffic controllers and road workers in danger.

TMAA recently provided an exclusive briefing to members on the results of the Industry Survey. All TMAA members receive a free copy of the 2025 Industry Survey Report, and can also access the reports for all previous editions of the survey via the Member section of the TMAA website.

Other interested parties can purchase their copy of the full report from the TMAA store.

TMAA is proud to be the leading voice for the TTM sector in Australia, and will commence the 2026 edition of the Industry Survey shortly.

There’s continued interest from around the country in the changes the NSW government has made to temporary speed limits in workzones, including in Western Australia where TMAA recently spoke on ABC Radio. Unfortunately, what much of the reporting in the media isn’t making clear is that there are many reasons why temporary speed restrictions may still apply through roadworks, even when workers aren’t present – and that’s to protect the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

Earlier this month, the NSW Minns government delivered on its election commitment to remove roadworks speed limits outside of construction hours, when it is safe to do so. However, this change does not give NSW motorists ‘carte blanche’ to disregard temporary speed restrictions if they don’t see any workers. The NSW Roads Minister’s media release from 1 July clearly articulates that this certainly isn’t the case:

“All road users must comply with the posted speed limit, including where speed limits are reduced due to road work, which often result in changed road conditions.”

TMAA was asked on Tuesday to discuss the NSW changes on ABC’s WA’s Statewide Drive program with Andrew Collins, specifically with the lens of whether WA should change its laws so that temporary speed restrictions don't apply outside works hours.

TMAA’s Policy and Advocacy Strategist, Matthew Bell, made clear that the NSW laws still provide provision for temporary speed limits to apply outside of work hours or when workers are not present, and that’s because it isn’t safe for motorists to go any faster. Edge drops, excavation, road plates, reduced lane widths, freshly resurfaced roads and other hazards necessitate lower speed limits at all times until the hazard no longer remains.

You can listen to the full interview HERE (click link).

When motorists see a reduced speed limit, compliance isn’t optional. It must be followed, for their safety and that of all other road users.

At the start of this month, the NSW Minns Government delivered on its election commitment to remove roadworks speed limits outside of construction hours, when it is safe to do so. This policy change has sparked interest around Australia about what rules and regulations apply in other states and territories when it comes to lowered roadworks speed limits outside of work hours.

TMAA was asked by ABC Radio Weekend Mornings Victoria to explain to listeners what rules apply for temporary speed limits on Victorian roads. TMAA's Policy and Advocacy Strategist, Matthew Bell, spoke with Debbie Rybicki on the subject.

Matthew made clear that temporary speed restrictions are often necessary to protect driver safety through worksites even when workers are not present. That's because the works have resulted in changed road conditions which make it unsafe to travel at the regular posted speed limit.

For example, this may include:

• Excavation immediately adjacent to the roadway, resulting in a significant drop at the edge of the road.
• Reduced grip levels on the road immediately after it has been resurfaced, and before it has been able to wear in sufficiently for regular grip levels to return.
• Road plates in traffic lanes.

Matthew also highlighted that the Victorian road rules make it very clear that motorists must adhere to temporary roadworks speed limits even if they can't see any workers. If approaching a roadworks speed sign, motorists must slow down to the speed limit shown on the sign and travel at or below that limit until they pass a sign showing a different speed limit.

You can listen to the full interview HERE (click link).

Belgravia Finance has shared some information with TMAA members about premium funding options for WorkSafe Victoria and WorkCover insurance.

What is insurance premium funding?

Instead of paying your business insurance premium as one large lump sum, premium funding lets you spread the cost over the year. It's a short-term lending arrangement that breaks your Worksafe premium into equal monthly instalments over a 10-month term, so the payment fits more comfortably alongside your other business costs.

No extra security is needed to set this up. The insurance policy itself acts as security for the loan, which keeps things simple.

Why members might consider it

For businesses in traffic management, where cash flow can be tight between jobs and payment cycles, spreading out a premium payment can free up funds for other priorities. According to the information provided by Belgravia Finance, premium funding may offer a few practical benefits:

• Interest charges can be tax deductible
• The interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan, so you know exactly what you're paying each month
• It frees up cash that would otherwise be tied up in a single premium payment
• No additional security is required, as the insurance policy covers this
• It doesn't affect any existing credit lines or finance facilities your business already has in place

Discount dates to note

WorkSafe Victoria WorkCover Discounted Premium dates for businesses paying their WorkCover premium in full:

• Pay in full by 17 August 2026 and receive a 5% discount
• Pay in full by 1 October 2026 and receive a 3% discount

If your business is in a position to pay upfront, these dates are worth diarising. If not, funding the premium over 10 months may still be a useful way to manage the cost without putting pressure on cash flow.

Want to know more?

Members with questions about how premium funding works, or who want to check whether it suits their business, can get in touch directly with Belgravia Finance.

Contact: David Clarke, CEO, Belgravia Finance
Mobile: 0417 289 656
Email: david_a_clarke@belgraviafinance.com

TMAA keeps you connected to the issues, updates, and people that shape the industry. Subscribe to our newsletter (click here) or find out about membership (join now).

TMAA's updated FAQ now includes step-by-step guidance on how to verify traffic controller credentials across Australia.

Verifying that your traffic controllers hold current, legitimate qualifications is a legal obligation and a safety non-negotiable. But knowing exactly where to check? That's where things have historically gotten complicated, and where employers have been asking for clearer guidance.

Australia's traffic management qualification landscape isn't uniform. Some states operate under the Austroads National TTM Training Framework. Others run their own state-specific licensing schemes. A significant number of workers also hold pre-reform qualifications that predate the national framework entirely. Add to that the fact that verification processes differ depending on when training was completed, and it's easy to see why employers have been looking for a practical reference point.

TMAA has updated its FAQ page to walk employers through the process, jurisdiction by jurisdiction.

A Quick Guide by State and Territory

Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory

These states and territories have adopted the Austroads National TTM Training Framework. Qualifications issued under this framework can be checked through the Austroads TTM Training Registry.

For older, pre-reform credentials not visible in that registry, there are a few options. For training completed after 1 January 2015, employers can ask the worker to provide access to their USI Transcript via usi.gov.au. The Statement of Attainment will show the issuing RTO's name and registration code, which can be looked up via training.gov.au. If the RTO has since closed, ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority) may hold student records and can be contacted on 1300 701 801 or at asqa.gov.au.

New South Wales

NSW operates its own regulated system, administered by SafeWork NSW. Traffic controllers must hold a SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Work Training (TCWT) Card. Employers can verify these online using the Verify NSW tool at verify.licence.nsw.gov.au, which is publicly accessible and searchable by card number and worker name.

Queensland

Queensland runs its own state scheme, with Traffic Controller Industry Authority Cards issued by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). There is no public online lookup for QLD cards. The primary verification method is sighting the physical card, noting the card number and expiry date, and confirming the name matches the worker in front of you.

One point worth flagging for QLD employers: a Statement of Attainment alone does not authorise a worker to control traffic on Queensland roads. The TMR Industry Authority Card is the operative document.

Western Australia

Main Roads WA administers WA's accreditation system, with workers holding a Traffic Management Accreditation Certificate and Photographic Identity Card at one of several levels. The Main Roads Graduate Search tool is the only official register of current WA Traffic Management accreditations, and allows employers to confirm credentials, check accreditation level, and view expiry dates.

Why This Matters

Deploying an unverified or unqualified worker on a live road environment isn't just a compliance risk. It puts lives at risk and puts your business on the line. The good news is that these checks are straightforward once you know where to look. TMAA's updated FAQ makes it easy to find the right tool for the right state, all in one place.

As Australia's peak body for traffic management, TMAA keeps you connected to the issues, updates, and people that shape the industry. Subscribe to our newsletter here or find out about membership (join now).

Where to Find the FAQs

More information on the full credential verification, including links to each state's verification tool, is available on the TMAA FAQ page here: tmaa.asn.au/faq

The Tram Grade Separation Project is transforming one of Adelaide's busiest transport corridors, removing level crossings and upgrading critical infrastructure to improve safety, connectivity and traffic flow for the community.

Delivering a project of this scale while maintaining live traffic operations requires careful planning, specialist expertise and reliable traffic management solutions. To support the project, the Tram Grade Separation Project Alliance (TGSPA) partnered with Coates to deliver an end-to-end traffic management solution that helped protect workers while minimising disruption to road users.

Reflecting on the partnership, Santosh Rochlani, Senior Project Engineer at TGSPA, said:

"I've always found Coates easy to work with. There was a lot of assurance knowing they could provide the equipment and expert advice that we needed to support the delivery of this project."

The project highlights the important role that effective traffic management plays in enabling major infrastructure works to be delivered safely and efficiently while keeping communities moving.

Read the full case study from Coates to learn more about the project and the traffic management solutions that supported its successful delivery. https://www.coates.com.au/news/latest-projects/equipment/adelaide-tram-upgrade-traffic-management

The Federal Government has confirmed another month of fuel tax relief, with legislation now in place to reduce fuel excise by 16 cents per litre on both petrol and diesel from 1 July to 2 August 2026.

For traffic management businesses, this is practical cost relief. Fuel is one of the biggest line items in any operational budget, and even a modest reduction at the bowser adds up quickly when you're running multiple vehicles across multiple sites. On a standard 65-litre fill, the saving works out to around $11.

What about heavy vehicles?

The good news extends beyond the servo. The Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge has also been reduced by 16 cents per litre for the same period. If your business runs truck-mounted attenuators, pilot vehicles, or other heavy plant, this reduction is directly relevant to your operating costs.

Why is this happening now?

The extension follows a period of global fuel price instability, driven largely by tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. With the United States and Iran reaching an agreement and the Strait reopening, the Government expects prices to stabilise, but has acknowledged that the recovery will take time.

Rather than pulling the fuel tax cut abruptly, the Government has chosen to taper it off gradually. This one-month extension is designed to give businesses and households a smoother transition back to standard excise settings.

What happens next?

The legislation, known as the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief No. 2) Bill 2026, has been agreed across all states and territories through National Cabinet. The measure is estimated to cost around $400 million in total. After 2 August, fuel excise will return to its standard rate, so it is worth factoring that into your budgets and any contracts or pricing that carry into the new financial year.

We will continue to track any further developments and share updates that affect our members.

As Australia's peak body for traffic management, TMAA keeps you connected to the issues, updates, and people that shape the industry. Subscribe to our newsletter (click here) or find out about membership (join now).

Source: New Legislation for Fuel Excise Relief for the Month of July, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, 22 June 2026

This week, BuildSkills Australia announced the outcomes from its consultation with industry, road authorities, and employee representatives on changing the entry and practical experience requirements for a number of Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) training skill sets.

This project had been initiated following feedback from industry that the current entry requirements for several TTM qualifications under the nationally harmonised training framework were creating unnecessary barriers to career progression, and were also limiting workforce availability and development.

Regrettably, BuildSkills has announced that it does not support making any changes to the current entry requirements at this time. TMAA acknowledges this outcome with disappointment.

The changes BuildSkills had consulted on were:

1. Reducing the 20-hour practical component for the Traffic Controller, Category 1 Roads (TC 1) skill set to 10 hours.
2. Removing the 40-hours prior work experience entry requirement, and reducing the 20-hour practical component during training to 10 hours, for the Traffic Controller, Category 2 Roads (TC 2) skill set.
3. Removing the one-month prior experience requirement on Category 1 Roads for the Traffic Management Implementation, Category 2 Roads (TMI 2) skill set.

TMAA surveyed members about their views on the proposed changes, and found strong support from members across all nationally harmonised states and territories (Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory) for making these changes. Members told us that change was urgently needed to address ongoing workforce shortages, particularly in SA, the NT, and across regional areas, where a lack of workers is impacting the delivery of major infrastructure projects and essential maintenance works.

TMAA advocated strongly on behalf of members to introduce the changes, including our submission to BuildSkills on the changes which can be viewed here.

While BuildSkills acknowledged the ongoing workforce shortages impacting the sector, the agency advised their decision was on the basis that making the changes could introduce new risks for worker safety. Our members however are committed to maintaining the highest levels of worker safety and regulatory compliance, and would always put the safety of workers first.

We are appreciative though that BuildSkills has committed to continued engagement with industry to understand the ongoing workforce challenges, with a view to potentially scoping a future major project. TMAA will be actively involved in these conversations.

You can find out more about the outcomes from the project, and connect directly with the Project team, by visiting the Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) Skill Sets project page on the BuildSkills website.

As Australia's peak body for traffic management, TMAA keeps you connected to the issues, updates, and people that shape the industry. Subscribe to our newsletter (click here) or find out about membership (join now).