In the world of roadworks and traffic management, change is constant—and lately, it's been coming fast. The expectations around Traffic Management Plans (TMPs) and Traffic Guidance Schemes (TGSs) are evolving, driven by increasing public scrutiny, advances in safety standards, and a push for greater accountability.

Across Australia, state and territory governments are tightening their requirements to ensure safety, reduce liability, and promote better documentation. A common thread? The growing expectation that companies can prove what was done on-site—ideally with traceable, timestamped evidence like photos or video.

If you’re working in Roads & Traffic Management, here’s what you need to know to stay compliant (and stay competitive).

Quick Recap: TMPs vs TGSs

Traffic Management Plans (TMPs) detail how risks to road users and workers will be managed on a temporary worksite. They include risk assessments, methods of control, access considerations, and more.
Traffic Guidance Schemes (TGSs) are diagrams or maps that visually represent how traffic control devices (signs, barriers, cones) will be set up on-site.

Together, TMPs and TGSs are not just planning tools—they're now treated as compliance artefacts. Which means: if you can't prove what you did, it’s like it didn’t happen.

What's Changing Across Australia?

Western Australia (WA)

Effective 1 January 2025, Main Roads WA introduced a new requirement that all temporary traffic management setups must be recorded via site drive-through video. This footage must be submitted as part of the post-implementation process to ensure the TGS was implemented correctly and compliantly.

Why? Too many claims, audits, and disputes were landing without proper documentation. Now, video evidence is considered a standard best practice.

Reference: Main Roads WA – Mandatory Video Recording Requirements FAQ (2025)

New South Wales (NSW)

Transport for NSW recently updated the Traffic Control at Work Sites Technical Manual to strengthen safety and planning measures. New guidance includes:

Enhanced planning for vulnerable road users
Greater integration with the Austroads AGTTM framework
Emphasis on the need for real-time evidence and clear audit trails during and after works

The direction is clear: documentation is no longer a formality—it's an operational must.

Reference: Transport for NSW – Technical Manual

Queensland (QLD)

Queensland has adopted the Queensland Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (QGTTM), aligning closely with Austroads’ national framework (AGTTM). Key changes:

More rigorous standards for TMP and TGS development
Clearly defined roles for Traffic Management Designers and Implementers
Increased focus on digitally captured evidence and compliance reviews

Reference: QGTTM – Department of Transport and Main Roads QLD (2024)

Victoria (VIC)

As of December 2023, Victoria rolled out an updated Code of Practice for Worksite Safety – Traffic Management, which fully integrates the AGTTM framework. Highlights include:

TMPs now must be submitted with every Memorandum of Authorisation (MoA)
Audits and surveillance activities have been ramped up
Stronger emphasis on evidence of compliance through traceable records and site documentation

Reference: VicRoads – Traffic Management Code of Practice

South Australia (SA)

The new SA Road Safety Action Plan 2025–2027 promotes a “safe system” approach to roadworks. While it doesn’t prescribe exact evidence types, the plan highlights the importance of:

Continuous safety improvement
Workplace accountability
System-wide audits and improved reporting standards

TMP compliance and visibility are central pillars of that strategy.

Reference: DIT SA Road Safety Action Plan

Tasmania (TAS)

Tasmania is aligning its roadwork safety practices with the AGTTM. The Traffic Management for Construction or Maintenance Work Code of Practice was updated in 2024. Key movements:

Quarterly reviews of national training and TTM implementation (since April 2024)
Clearer guidelines on diagram accuracy and control placement
Early discussions around video documentation for high-risk worksites

Reference: WorkSafe Tasmania – Traffic Management

Northern Territory (NT)

The NT began its transition to the Austroads national training framework in February 2024, with full implementation expected by 2027. While still early, key indicators include:

Expanded role definitions for TTM professionals
Increased emphasis on site validation and photographic records
Planned integration of AGTTM best practices into permit systems

Reference: TMAA NT Training Rollout Update

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

ACT Government guidelines now require TMPs for all TTM applications, with a focus on protecting cyclists, pedestrians, and local businesses. While the ACT hasn’t mandated video evidence (yet), approval processes strongly encourage detailed documentation, digital plans, and photo logs.

Reference: ACT Government – Temporary Traffic Management

The Common Thread: Prove It

Across every state and territory, one message is getting louder: Prove what you did.

Video walk and drive-throughs. Timestamped videos. Cloud-based logs. Traceable changes. These are no longer “nice to have”—they're becoming the baseline for doing business in temporary traffic management.

Being able to demonstrate that your site was set up exactly as your TGS specified is now a competitive advantage… and in many places, a legal necessity.

Final Thought

We’re witnessing a shift—from paper-based plans to digital, verifiable site compliance. Whether it’s a regulator investigating an incident, a client requesting proof of standards, or a public complaint, those who can show what they did will stand apart from those who can only say it.

If you’re not already capturing and retaining traceable, timestamped records of your TMP and TGS implementations, now is the time to act.

Because regulations aren’t just changing—they’re evolving to demand evidence.

Note: Always refer to your local road authority or traffic management regulator for the most current updates applicable to your projects.

The Evolution of TMP and TGS Requirements: Are You Keeping Up?