A Hazardous Area Authority is required for drivers of most vehicles with more than 12 seats (including the driver) who wish to drive in areas of the Victorian Alpine region, which in the interests of public safety have been proclaimed as 'hazardous areas' for a pre determined period within the snow season.
The Hazardous Area Authority only allows drivers to drive in a hazardous area in the category (size) of the vehicle in which a training course has been undertaken. The Hazardous Area Authority does not allow the holder to drive a vehicle if an appropriate driver licence class is not held.
There are two types of Hazardous Area Authorities:
Mt Hotham - this allows the holder to drive in any proclaimed hazardous area, and
Defined Areas other than Mt Hotham - this allows the holder to drive in any area except Mt Hotham.
A current Hazardous Area Authority must be carried by the driver when driving in a hazardous area.
The areas to be regarded as hazardous, and the period within which they are to be regarded as hazardous are determined by VicRoads and published in the Victorian Government Gazette. The Hazardous period applies from 1 June to the 10 October each year.
The following specific areas have in the past been proclaimed as hazardous:
| Falls Creek |
Lake Mountain |
| Licola Area |
Mt Baw Baw |
| Mt Buffalo |
Mt Buller |
| Mt Donna Buang |
Mt Hotham |
| Mt Saint Gwinear |
Mt Stirling |
| Mt Tamboritha |
Mt Torbreck |
The above may vary. A copy of the Victorian Government Gazette should be obtained to ensure accurate information about the period and areas which are proclaimed hazardous for the upcoming season.
Hazardous areas are also defined in the Transport and Traffic Integration information bulletin 'Bus Travel in Hazardous Areas (Snowfields)'
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A Hazardous Area Authority is issued for six years. All Hazardous Area Authorities expire on 31 December.
No fees are payable for the issue (or replacement of a lost) Hazardous Area Authority.
In order to obtain a Hazardous Area Authority a 4 day training course, which is only conducted during the snow season, must be successfully completed. Details of successful completion of this course must be forwarded to VicRoads.
Renewal information is sent to all Hazardous Area Authority holders in February/March of the year the authority is due to expire. This is to allow assessment in the snow season.
The following renewal requirements are necessary for a Hazardous Area Authority which is due to expire or one that has not expired by more than five years.
Drivers/applicants must satisfactorily complete a 1 ½ day re assessment of skills associated with bus operations in hazardous areas.
Drivers must either:
- Satisfactorily complete a 1 ½ day re assessment of skills associated with bus operations in hazardous areas. This course is conducted by training course provider during the snow season, or
- Complete a statutory declaration which states that the driver has driven a bus in a hazardous area at least five times during the last two snow seasons. Logbook pages or other proof of verification may be requested.
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Training courses are conducted by a training course provider and are conducted in a declared hazardous area during the snow season. Training may commence the Monday before the Queen's Birthday holiday (Vic).
After successful completion of the course the provider will forward details of successful applicants to VicRoads
All applicants need to discuss the vehicles in which they will be tested in with the training course provider.
Drivers wishing to take the large capacity bus course, may need to show evidence of extensive experience in driving Denning/Domino type touring coaches with crash gear boxes to the training provider.
Drivers may also be able to undertake the training/course using their own vehicles.
Drivers undertaking their first test in a vehicle with a synchromesh gearbox will have any Hazardous Area Authority issued to them restricted to this type of gear box.
Must be undertaken to obtain a Hazardous Area Authority. Drivers wishing to
undertake the course must hold the appropriate (bus) driver licence classification.
A reassessment course, conducted on Mt Hotham, is required to renew a Hazardous Area Authority:
- to operate on Mt Hotham , or
- in other proclaimed areas if the prerequisite driving experience cannot be demonstrated.
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National Industrial Skills Training Centre
Moorefield Park Drive
PO Box 963
Wodonga Vic 3689
Tel: (02) 6055 6673
Fax: (02) 6055 6666
Driver Education Centre of Australia (DECA)
T/A 'DECA TRAINING'
Wanganui Road
PO Box 1742
Shepparton Vic 3630
Tel: (03) 5821 1099
1800 809 413 (Shepparton)
1800 802 087 (Melbourne)
Fax: (03) 5822 2472
When driving in a defined hazardous area, a Hazardous Area Authority is required of drivers of all the following vehicles:
1. Vehicles that seat more than 12 people (including the driver) that are operated by a person who is accredited under the Public Transport Competition Act 1995, that are being used for the carrying of passengers:
- for hire or reward;
- as part of a courtesy service; or
- for or in connection with the activities of a religious, philanthropic, educational, sporting or social body; and
2. Vehicles that seat more than 30 people (including the driver).
It does not include vehicles that move on caterpillar tracks and are designed for use on or over the snow.
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Issue and Renewal
Driver and Vehicle Services
Ground Floor
PO Box 2482
(60 Denmark St)
Kew 3101
Tel: 9854 2332
Fax: 9854 2399
Determining Hazardous Periods / Areas
T&TI (Traffic & Transport Integration)
2nd Floor
60 Denmark St
Kew 3101
Tel: 9854 2597
Fax: 9854 2918