Oversize and/or Overmass (OSOM) vehicles and loads

Loads that cross railways in Victoria and exceed dimensions prescribed under the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 (the Act) and Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2009 (the Regulations) require a permit.

An Oversize Overmass (OSOM) vehicle is a heavy vehicle that is carrying, or specially designed to carry, a large indivisible item.

The Rail Safety National Law (RSNL) requires rail transport operators to provide safe railway operations throughout Australia and to maintain safety at all times.

OSOM vehicles pose a significant increase in risk to V/Line when travelling across a railway crossing. Operators of OSOM vehicles need to remain aware that trains take significantly longer, and cover greater distance, to stop compared to a heavy road vehicle.

Each railway crossing is assessed individually for risks to safety and infrastructure damage based on the type of vehicle gazetted for use on the particular intersecting road (i.e. general access, B double, road train etc). OSOM vehicles may be significantly larger than the gazetted vehicle type and may require a railway crossing safety assessment to be undertaken by V/Line (additional costs shall apply for these inspections).

For this reason, approval must be sought from V/Line to ensure that adequate safety management is in place before the OSOM vehicle enters the railway crossing. 

Under the Transport Act, you are required to obtain permission in order to take OSOM loads across V/Line infrastructure. Once you have received your Heavy Vehicle Access Permit (HVAP) from VicRoads and determine that you are required to transport the load across V/Line railway crossings, you need to apply for an access permit from V/Line.

Completing an OSOM vehicle and load permit application

Step 1 - Apply for your OSOM permit outlining your proposed movements and nominated level crossings.

• Download and complete the application form (word format) and indemnity waiver forms.
• There is a once off application fee of $1,560 plus GST to review your application. This cost is for V/Line internal representatives to facilitate various actions including:
  • Safety/Safe Working review;
  • Engineering review;
  • Network Services and Network Control review;
  • Third-Party Access Review;
  • Internal V/Line Notifications; and
  • Issue the permit.
• Email your completed permit application, indemnity waver and purchase order to cover the cost of the application through to osom@vline.com.au for processing.
• Note: No OSOM permit shall be issued without a valid NHVR permit.

Validity of permits

Permits may be issued on a 'once off’ basis if you intend to use the proposed crossing(s) only once. If you intend to use the proposed crossing(s) multiple times, permits can be valid for up to three months if you can confirm the following:

• nominated route remains unchanged; and
• the load remains the same or less; and
• the dimensions remain the same or less.

Minimum notice period required for a OSOM vehicle permit

• V/Line require a minimum of 15 business days’ notice from receiving your application and purchase order for your proposed movements. 
• Please allow 7 business days for subsequent moves under a three month permit application.

Step 2 - Site inspection of crossings by V/Line representative

Site Inspection fee (price on application) per level crossing is applicable. This covers the cost of having a V/Line representative on site.
 
For permits valid up to three months, site inspection will be required by a V/Line representative for any subsequent moves under a three month permit.

Site Inspection fee (price on application) per level crossing is applicable for ALL subsequent moves. An additional purchase order will be requested as per the above during the review of the application. (As a part of our review of your permit application, V/Line will advise any variation to site inspections fees).
 
A minimum of 7 business days’ notice is required from the applicant for V/Line to arrange internal resources for site inspection. This is subject to availability of internal resources.

Step 3 - V/Line determine the rail safety requirements necessary.

V/Line will review your application and advise if rail safety is required at the proposed crossing(s). The level of rail safe working required will be supplied to you.

The management of the rail traffic during your OSOM vehicle movements is your responsibility to arrange, including any associated costs.

For permits valid up to 3 months, the rail safe working requirements for any subsequent moves will be same as initial moves.

You may use any accredited third-party rail safe working companies for this activity (TBA during application process).