Brisbane, 9 September 2025 – A new initiative to simplify the design and installation of safety screens on buses and coaches has been unveiled which will ultimately provide a safer workplace for bus drivers, following collaborative efforts between regulators and industry.
The move is timely, with several recent violent incidents directed at bus drivers in South-East-Queensland including one on the Sunshine Coast where a bus driver sustained a knife injury and was hospitalised. The attack is indicative of an increase in passenger antisocial behaviour across major capital cities like Brisbane, Melbourne, Darwin and Hobart, with calls from industry for improved safety.
Fitment of driver safety screens follows a complex set of laws and regulations, with some cases requiring government-issued exemptions.
This latest initiative, comprising the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Driver Safety Screen Exemption notice, will enable modifications by an approved vehicle examiner where exemptions are required, streamlining compliance and ensuring safety standards are maintained.
NHVR Director – Policy Implementation, Peter Austin, said: “This proactive measure ensures that bus manufacturers, modifiers, owners, and operators can undertake essential vehicle modifications without compromising the stringent safety standards that govern heavy vehicles.
“The driver safety screen collaboration, led by industry, demonstrates how industry and the Regulator can work together to continuously improve driver and transport safety.”
Supporting technical guidance materials developed by the Bus Industry Confederation along with testing and trials by Brisbane City Council’s Public Transport Services Group underpin this.
Current data across Australia shows a surge in verbal abuse, physical threats and violent assaults, with serious implications on driver wellbeing, passenger safety and the sustainability of public transport services. Physical attacks on bus drivers rose 80% between 2017 and 2025, while verbal abuse rising 184% in some states.
BIC Executive Director, Varenya Mohan-Ram, said: “These aren’t just statistics—these are real people being put at real risk while providing an essential service to our communities.
“The bus and coach industry’s commitment to improving the workplace of our drivers has played a leading role in the development of this initiative.”
Inspired by positive results seen in London, this Queensland-led collaboration has looked at the issues wholistically, with considerations including site lines, reflection, technology and other safety standards to ensure a world leading safety solution that significantly reduces risk to bus drivers. This innovative solution and exemption notice is the first step to ensure standards are set globally.
The development of driver safety screen guidance is a landmark achievement in the ongoing effort to protect bus drivers and improve safety across public transport.
Civic Cabinet Chair for Brisbane Transport, Councillor Wines, said: “This is about keeping our bus drivers safe while they’re doing their job serving the community.
“It’s taken a huge team effort from Council staff to industry and regulators to deliver a practical solution that will make a real difference. Every new bus we put on the road will now come fitted with a driver safety screen.
“Other states are already following our lead, and that shows just how important this initiative is.”
Read further information on the
- NHVR Driver Safety Screen Notice: https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2025G00295
- BIC Guidance Document: https://www.nhvr.gov.au/document/738
Media contact |
Bus Industry Confederation
Andrea Luquesi Scott
T. 02 6247 5990
E. communications@bic.asn.au
