How is vehicle safety changing?
Vehicles, and their safety features, continue to evolve.
Today's vehicles now go beyond the function of simply getting you from A to B. We're seeing improved structures, enhanced restraints, clever design, and automated technologies that can assist you with key driving tasks such as braking and steering. They can even intervene in emergency situations to help you avoid or minimise the severity of a crash.
Vehicle safety is continually evolving.
The features being developed by vehicle manufacturers are improving every day.
The test and rating criteria we apply are updated every three years to incorporate the latest safety technologies. This means that when you choose a five-star rated car with the latest datestamp, you are getting the safest vehicle possible.
What's new from 2026?
From 2026 we've further strengthened our test and rating criteria to improve the safety of new cars sold in Australia and New Zealand.
Building on existing crash tests and crash avoidance assessments, enhancements have been made to the rigour and robustness - setting a revised benchmark for vehicle safety.
Learn more about what's new from 2026...
Detail on the test and rating criteria in place in previous years can be viewed here:
Step back in time
Now that you have an insight into what's coming, why don't you take a look back to see how ANCAP safety ratings have progressed over the last three decades...
1992
- ANCAP established
1993
- First test results published;
- Full size frontal test conducted (56 km/h);
- Frontal offset test added (60 km/h)
1995
- Frontal offset test speed increased (64km/h)
1999
- Star ratings introduced;
- MoU with Euro NCAP
2001
- Pole test introduced;
- Minimum scores for frontal offset and side impact tests;
- Pedestrian protection test introduced
2003
- Minimum scores for head protection in pole test introduced
2008
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) mandatory for five-stars
2011
- Annual increases commence for all star rating levels
2012
- Whiplash test introduced
2015-2017
- Transition period: ANCAP and Euro NCAP rating data in use
2018
- Adoption of common test protocols and policies for Australasia and Europe:
- Introduction of obique pole test;
- Side impact test updated;
- Female, Q Series and WorldSID dummies introduced;
- Performance testing of collision avoidance technologies introduced;
- Child occupant protection assessed
2020
- Mobile progressive deformable barrier test introduced; THOR dummy introduced;
- Side impact test speed increased (60km/h);
- Far side impact tests introduced;
- AEB Junction and Backover testing introduced;
- Automatic emergency steering introduced;
- Driver monitoring introduced;
- Rescue and extrication protocols introduced
2023
- Vehicle submergence countermeasure(s) required;
- Child Presence Detection (CPD) systems assessed;
- Motorcycle-detecting AEB & LSS performance testing introduced;
- Direct driver monitoring introduced;
- New performance test scenarios:
- AEB Head-on & AEB Junction Crossing (car-to-car), AEB Backover (child pedestrian)
& AEB Junction (cyclist); - Advanced Pedestrian Protection legform (aPLI) introduced
- MoU with Euro NCAP cements relationship and future collaboration
2026
- Stages of Safety : Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, Crash Protection and Post Crash assessment pillars adopted
- Deformable element added to full width frontal test barrier
- THOR front passenger dummy added to full width test
- 5th percentile adult female dummy added to frontal offset test (replacing mid-size male dummy)
- Airbag inflation requirements added to cater for rollovers
- Pedal misapplication requirements introduced
- On-road driving assessments (SLIF) introduced
- Broadened range of AEB assessments including weather and lighting conditions, speeds, and pedestrian appearance
- Fire risk (warning of thermal runaway) in electrified vehicles assessed
ANCAP was established in 1992 as the second New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) in the world, after the United States. Since then, the ANCAP safety rating program has evolved with progressive changes introduced to its rating system to enhance the safety of new cars offered to consumers in Australia and New Zealand and encourage continuous improvements from vehicle manufacturers.
Over the years, new tests have been introduced and existing ones enhanced. Minimum safety requirements have increased and more sophisticated testing and assessment methods developed.
Learn more about the changes to ANCAP safety ratings over time...
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