Mass management

⌘K

GlossaryUpdated 10 July 2026

Mass management is the discipline of keeping heavy vehicles within their legal mass limits and being able to prove it, from general mass limits up to accredited concessional and higher mass schemes.

Every heavy vehicle has legal mass limits: per axle group and gross. General Mass Limits (GML) apply by default; Concessional Mass Limits (CML) and Higher Mass Limits (HML) allow more payload in exchange for NHVAS mass accreditation and, for HML on many routes, telematics-based monitoring.

Overloading is a Chain of Responsibility offence for everyone in the chain, not just the driver. The heavy vehicle rules guide explains the schemes in plain words.

Last updated 10 July 2026General information, not tax or legal advice.

Related terms

Keep reading.

Neighbouring terms from the fleet glossary.

Gross vehicle massGross vehicle mass is the maximum a vehicle is allowed to weigh fully loaded, set by the manufacturer, and it is the number that decides whether a vehicle is legally light or heavy in Australia.GVM
Intelligent Access ProgramThe Intelligent Access Program is a national scheme that grants heavy vehicles extra road access, such as higher mass limits on certain routes, in exchange for continuous telematics monitoring by a certified provider.IAP
Chain of ResponsibilityChain of Responsibility is the principle in the Heavy Vehicle National Law that everyone with influence over a transport task, not just the driver, shares legal responsibility for its safety.CoR

Put the term into practice.

See how IntelliTrac captures the relevant checks, trips and supporting data during normal work. Bring your scenarios.

Book a DemoBook a DemoBook a Demo Explore SolutionsExplore SolutionsExplore Solutions

IntelliTrac provides fleet, telematics and field-operations software in Australia. Call 1300 767 492.