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Most caravans and large trailers are legally required to have brakes. The rules are state and territory based, but the weight thresholds are generally similar across Australia. Use this guide to understand the common caravan braking terms, then confirm the current requirement for your registration state before relying on it for compliance.
A visual description is the best way to understand the meaning of different weights.
Above: The TARE mass is the weight of the caravan when it left the factory. It is weighed with its jockey wheel and main wheels on the weighbridge. It has no water, no gas and no optional accessories that are fitted after manufacture.
Above: The Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) is the weight of the caravan plus the permitted payload. It is calculated based on the lowest rated items, such as tyres and axle capacity. The payload includes everything added: water, gas, food, clothing and other gear. The caravan must be unhitched.
Above: The Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) is the weight of the caravan plus the permitted payload that is supported by the axles. The payload includes everything added: water, gas, food, clothing and other gear. The towball weight is not included.
The GTM is shown on a compliance plate which is usually located on the drawbar or inside the front boot. This is what a roadside weighbridge will check if you get pulled up.
The towball weight will vary depending on what load you have, and where it is stored, so it should be measured when you are fully loaded. Moving heavy items can alter your towball weight.
The loaded GTM is the key figure for brake requirements. Check the trailer plate and weigh the van in travel trim if you are close to a threshold.
| Loaded trailer weight | Common brake requirement |
|---|---|
| Up to 750kg GTM | Brakes are generally not required. |
| Over 750kg and up to 2,000kg GTM | An efficient service brake system is required. Over-run/override brakes may be permitted. |
| Over 2,000kg GTM | Brakes must operate on all wheels, be operable from the driver's seating position, and include an automatic breakaway system that keeps the brakes applied for at least 15 minutes. |
These are the national light-trailer requirements in Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1 (Revision 6), published by the Australian Government in August 2026. VSB1 requires an efficient braking system; it does not say the system must specifically be electric. Brake laws are legal requirements, not just product choices. If your caravan is close to 2,000kg GTM, or has been modified from its original setup, ask your registration authority, licensed inspector or caravan brake specialist before ordering parts.
Override brakes may be permitted when the GTM is up to 2,000kg. Mechanical override brakes use the tow coupling to manually pull a cable connected to the trailer's brake drums, in much the same way as pulling up a handbrake.
Hydraulic override brakes are similar, but use hydraulic pipes and fluid between the coupling and brake cylinders.
Electric brakes are commonly used on caravans and trailers over 750kg because they provide good control, but VSB1 does not require electric brakes specifically. For trailers over 2,000kg GTM, any braking system must meet the all-wheel, driver-control and automatic-breakaway requirements. Check the current rules if your setup uses another braking system.
Electric brakes are automatically applied by the brake controller. They can also be manually operated via a manual control on the brake controller, which is installed within reach of the driver.
Your tow vehicle will need a brake controller if it does not already have one. The category below shows the brake controllers we sell, plus an article to help you decide what features you may need.
For caravans and trailers over 2,000kg GTM, VSB1 requires an automatic breakaway system that applies the trailer brakes if it separates from the tow vehicle and keeps them applied for at least 15 minutes.
On the common electric-brake setup, the breakaway unit is powered by a dedicated battery or a suitable caravan battery circuit. The breakaway cable or switch must be set up so it activates when the trailer separates from the tow vehicle. Do not cut corners with breakaway equipment; it is part of the safety system, not an optional accessory.
Remote battery monitors provide the driver with an indication of the charge in the battery used to power the electric brakes when the emergency system is activated.
These monitors were mandatory in NSW from 2007 to 2016, however the NSW requirement appears to have been relaxed. Many people still believe they are a good idea to have, and most caravan manufacturers would recommend having one.
Remote monitors can be purchased separately to suit most existing breakaway systems. Match the monitor to the breakaway system before ordering, as not every monitor suits every kit.
If you have a Tekonsha breakaway system, check compatibility before ordering a remote monitor. Some Tekonsha setups may not have a matching remote monitor option.
State and territory road authority pages change over time, and older links can break. Before making a legal or registration decision, check the current towing and trailer-brake information for the state or territory where the caravan is registered.
This is especially important if the van has been renovated, upgraded from override brakes to electric brakes, imported, re-rated, or changed from its original axle and brake setup.
For trailers over 2,000kg GTM, VSB1 requires the braking system to be operable from the driver's seating position. On the common electric-brake setup, this is provided by a brake controller within reach of the driver. If an inspector or another caravanner gives different advice, confirm it with the current road authority requirement for your state and the GTM of your van.
Often yes, but the scope depends on the axle, drums, hubs, wheels, wiring, breakaway system and the rated capacity of the van. Older twin-axle caravans close to 2,000kg should be inspected by a caravan brake specialist before parts are ordered.
In caravan braking, a breakaway system is intended to apply the caravan brakes if the trailer separates from the tow vehicle. The exact legal wording and testing requirement should be checked with the current authority in your registration state.
Insurance cover depends on your policy and the event. Because brake and breakaway compliance can affect liability, check your insurer's wording and keep the brake system maintained and compliant.
