31/10/2026
This is a major step forward for vehicle engineering in Townsville and North Queensland.
McMillan Group Holdings has been granted Australian Government Testing Facility Approval TFA-020275, allowing Northern Australia Tactical Engineering - NATE to undertake testing against a wide range of Australian Design Rules and related vehicle standards.
Our approved testing locations are:
📍 29 Mather Street, Mount Louisa
📍 DriveIt NQ Test Facility at Calcium
For many northern vehicle projects, specialist testing has traditionally meant sending a vehicle, equipment and people thousands of kilometres south—often to southeast Queensland or interstate facilities in Victoria.
That means extra freight, travel, downtime and cost.
Northern Australia Tactical Engineering - NATE can now coordinate approved testing here in North Queensland, supported by access to the purpose-built DriveIt NQ circuit and testing environment.
Our approved ADR scope covers:
✅ Passenger, commercial-vehicle, motorcycle and trailer braking
✅ Electronic stability control
✅ Advanced emergency braking and brake-assist systems
✅ Steering systems
✅ Lane-departure warning systems
✅ Vehicle lighting and instrumentation
✅ Vehicle dimensions and configuration
✅ Tyres and tyre installation
✅ External noise
✅ Mechanical connections
✅ Road-train trailers
✅ Specific-purpose vehicles
✅ Campervans and motorhomes
✅ Mobility and accessible vehicles
✅ Rare vehicles
✅ Left-hand-drive conversions
The approved ADRs are:
ADR 06/00, 13/00, 18/03, 31/04, 33/01, 35/07, 38/01, 38/05, 38/05 CS, 38/05 FB, 38/05 SS, 42/05, 43/04, 44/02, 62/02 within its approved partial scope, 63/00, 83/00, 88/00, 89/00, 90/00, 95/00, 96/00, 97/00, 98/02 and 99/01.
Just as importantly, we have the engineering experience to help clients use that testing effectively.
CPEng and RPEQ Cameron Murdoch has worked with Michael for nearly a decade. Cameron has extensive experience in automotive certification and in navigating ROVER and Vehicle Type Approval pathways.
That means we can assist with more than a test result. We can help plan the engineering program, identify the evidence required, undertake testing and support the regulatory pathway needed to move a vehicle toward commercial deployment.
We can also undertake the engineering and testing required to support LS16 Gross Combination Mass and Braked Towing Capacity re-rating programs in Townsville.
For OEMs and specialist vehicle manufacturers, local access can make a substantial difference. Vehicles can be tested, reviewed and refined without repeatedly being transported interstate—helping reduce costs and shorten development time.
MGH’s and Northern Australia Tactical Engineering - NATE broader capability includes:
• Testing Facility Approval TFA-020275
• Authorised Vehicle Verifier approval AVV-000117
• Queensland Approved Person accreditation MA2732
• NSW VSCCS Licensed Certifier accreditation 180018
• Chartered Professional Engineer and RPEQ capability
• Automotive certification and ROVER pathway experience
• Local LS16 GCM/BTC engineering and testing capability
It is an unusual concentration of vehicle-engineering capability for regional Australia—and it resides here in Townsville.
If you are an OEM, vehicle manufacturer, importer, modifier or fleet operator with a testing or certification requirement, speak with our engineering team.
📞 0414 680 154
Queensland’s official LS16 code covers the re-rating of Gross Combination Mass and Braked Towing Capacity for eligible light vehicles up to 4,500 kg GVM. [Queensland Government LS16 specification](https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/58da77ae-5764-414a-864a-b72b2bbb1563/resource/cc94c072-96d8-4b67-a3b2-0aa9433aea4f/download/ls16-gross-combination-mass-re-rating.pdf).
