Basic Fatigue Management
Operators with Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) accreditation can operate under more flexible work and rest hours, allowing for (among other things) work of up to 14 hours in a 24-hour period. BFM gives operators a greater say in when drivers can work and rest, as long as the risks of driver fatigue are properly managed.
Basic Fatigue Management – work and rest hour requirements
The below table applies to solo drivers.
| Time | Work | Rest |
| In any period of… | A driver must not work for more than a maximum of… | And must have the rest of that period off work with at least a minimum rest break of… |
| 6 ¼ hours | 6 hours work time | 15 continuous minutes rest time |
| 9 hours | 8 1/2 hours work time | 30 minutes rest time in blocks of 15 continuous minutes |
| 12 hours | 11 hours work time | 60 minutes rest time in blocks of 15 continuous minutes |
| 24 hours | 14 hours work time | 7 continuous hours stationary rest time* |
| 7 days | 36 hours long/night work time** | |
| 14 days | 144 hours work time | 24 continuous hours stationary rest time taken after no more than 84 hours work time and 24 continuous hours stationary rest time and 2 x night rest breaks# and 2 x night rest breaks taken on consecutive days. |
*Stationary rest time is the time a driver spends out of a regulated heavy vehicle or in an approved sleeper berth of a stationary regulated heavy vehicle.
**Long/night work time is any work time in excess of 12 hours in a 24 hour period or any work time between midnight and 6 am (or the equivalent hours in the time zone of the base of a driver).
#Night rest breaks are 7 continuous hours stationary rest time taken between the hours of 10pm on a day and 8am on the next day (using the time zone of the base of the driver) or a 24 continuous hours stationary rest break.
Download a BFM daily work and rest hours planner for solo drivers.
The below table applies to two-up drivers.
| Time | Work | Rest |
| In any period of… | A driver must not work for more than a maximum of… | And must have the rest of that period off work with at least a minimum rest break of… |
| 24 hours | 14 hours work time | |
| 82 hours | 10 continuous hours stationary rest time | |
| 7 days | 70 hours work time | 24 continuous hours stationary rest time and 24 hours stationary rest time in blocks of at least 7 continuous hours of stationary rest time |
| 14 days | 140 hours work time | 4 x 7 night rest breaks# |
*Stationary rest time is the time a driver spends out of a regulated heavy vehicle or in an approved sleeper berth of a stationary regulated heavy vehicle.
#Night rest breaks are 7 continuous hours stationary rest time taken between the hours of 10pm on a day and 8am on the next day (using the time zone of the base of the driver) or a 24 continuous hours stationary rest break.
BFM Standards
There are six fatigue management standards that you need to comply with for BFM:
- Scheduling and rostering – standard scheduling of individual trips and rostering of drivers are to be in accordance with limits prescribed in legislation
- Fitness for duty – standard drivers are in a fit state to safely perform required duties and meet the specified medical requirements
- Fatigue knowledge and awareness – standard personnel involved in the management, operation, administration, participation and verification of the BFM option can demonstrate competency in fatigue knowledge relevant to their position on the causes, effects and management of fatigue and the operator’s fatigue management system
- Responsibilities – the authorisations, responsibilities and duties of all positions involved in the management, operation, administration, participation and verification of their operations under the BFM option are current, clearly defined, documented and carried out accordingly
- Internal review – an internal review system is implemented to identify non-compliances and verify that the activities comply with the BFM standards and the operator’s fatigue management system
- Records and documentation – the operator will implement, authorise, maintain and review documented policies and procedures that ensure the management, performance and verification of the BFM option in accordance with the standards.