ANCAP will introduce a comprehensive new vehicle safety rating system from 2026 that evaluates cars across four distinct stages covering what happens before, during and after a crash.
The updated protocols represent the most significant overhaul of Australia’s independent vehicle safety testing in years, moving beyond traditional crash protection to assess the entire safety timeline from safe driving through to post-crash emergency response.
ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg says the new approach responds directly to consumer feedback while preparing for future automotive technologies.
“You’ve spoken and we have listened. The Stages of Safety approach will allow ANCAP to incorporate useful feedback, enhance existing tests and incorporate new areas of focus,” Hoorweg says.
The changes come as 1592 Australians and New Zealanders lost their lives in vehicle-related crashes last year, underlining the ongoing need for improved safety outcomes across all aspects of road transport.
Four stages of assessment
The new rating system evaluates vehicles across four key areas, each scored out of 100 points with minimum thresholds determining overall star ratings.
Safe Driving considers vehicle technologies that assist in providing a safer driving experience for occupants. Crash Avoidance assesses systems that help prevent or mitigate incidents through warnings or autonomous intervention.
Crash Protection evaluates traditional elements including vehicle structure, seatbelts, airbags and head restraints to protect occupants, pedestrians and cyclists. Post-Crash addresses emergency response through rescue information and assistance systems.
The updated protocols specifically address consumer complaints about active driver assistance systems, which have been criticised for abrupt or irritating interventions. Under the new system, vehicles will be rewarded for smooth and intuitive operation alongside technical performance.
Emergency call systems prioritised
ANCAP will place greater emphasis on eCall systems that automatically connect with emergency services following a crash, acknowledging their critical role in the “golden hour” of emergency response.
More than 40% of new vehicles sold in Australia in 2024 featured eCall technology, but deployment remains limited in New Zealand with fewer than 10% of vehicles equipped with the system.
“New Zealanders should not be left behind when it comes to life saving technologies such as eCall, the potential for it to make a difference on New Zealand’s roads is too big for manufacturers to ignore,” Hoorweg says.
The protocols also address modern vehicle features including electrically-operated door handles, which must remain operable after crashes, and electric vehicle high-voltage battery isolation systems.
Real-world testing expansion
ANCAP will conduct more on-road testing to better evaluate how vehicle technology performs in real-world conditions beyond the test track.
This on-road evaluation will examine how well vehicles read and respond to actual road conditions, providing more detailed insights into the driver experience.
The new approach has been developed in collaboration with Euro NCAP’s vehicle safety experts, ensuring Australian and New Zealand consumers continue to benefit from internationally benchmarked crash testing and assessments.
“Our role is to continually push for improvements in all areas of vehicle safety, and our 2026 protocols reflect that,” Hoorweg says.
“The outcome will be better protection of vehicle occupants and those around them, through the active prevention of crashes, superior protection in the event of a crash, and improved post-crash management.”
ANCAP reviews its star rating criteria every three years with the sole focus of reducing vehicle-related deaths and serious injuries. The 2026–2028 protocols will reward vehicles that perform well across all stages of safety while maintaining the rigour consumers and fleet buyers expect from independent safety testing.
