Tour operators given under two years to ensure all new buses are equipped with seatbelts

Tour operators given under two years to ensure all new buses are equipped with seatbelts
Edited by Travel Weekly


Tour operators around Australia have until 1 November 2026 to ensure new buses in their fleet – or those being purchased – meet several new safety protocols announced today.

The news comes in response to the tragic 2023 Hunter Valley bus crash that claimed the lives of 10 and injured more.

Deadly coach crash renews call for better national safety standards

The Australian Design Rule being introduced to improve seatbelt safety has four main changes:

  • Buses will have an audible announcement when the door closes and the bus starts to move with a message saying: “Please fasten seatbelts while seated.”
  • A visible label will be on the back of every seat saying: “Fasten seatbelts while seated.”
  • There will be a lit-up sign at the front of every section of a bus prompting seatbelt use.
  • An exemption will be removed allowing some buses with seats under 1-metre high from not requiring seatbelts.

The requirements come into effect for new bus models from November 1 2026, and for all new registered buses regardless of the model a year later.

‘Serious operators’ should not have any issues 

AAT Kings CEO Ben Hall told Travel Weekly that his company’s touring buses have had seatbelts “for years”, possibly up to 20 or 30.

Asked if he saw the new measures as a possible cost issue for the industry, he said that any serious operator would likely have had seatbelts in place for years.

Bus Industry Confederation national technical manager, Dean Moule, told the ABC that today’s news is a “huge, significant step” toward better safety.

“We’ve seen seatbelt occupancy in some buses under 10 per cent,” he said. “Having those reminders constantly in front of [passengers] will certainly encourage better seatbelt usage.”

Latest News

  • Events

AIME 2025 is underway!

If you're headed down to AIME we hope you brought your networking shoes because it's going to be big!

  • Events

IAAPA Expo Asia 2025 opens exhibitor registration

The IAAPA Expo Asia, the premier amusement industry trade show in the Asia-Pacific, has opened exhibitor registrations for its 2025 event on 30 June to 3 July in Shanghai. This international extravaganza showcases the newest technological advancements and innovative solutions in the attractions industry from more than 300 exhibitors, with over 10,000 attendees expected to […]