Traffic Guidance Schemes (TGS) in NSW: The 2026 Guide — & Same-Day TCP Design
What a TGS is, when NSW law requires one, what it costs, who can prepare it, and why councils reject them — plus a free tool to tell you which document your job needs. AS 1742.3:2019 compliant, PWZTMP-qualified, from $250.
Updated 19/06/2026 · NSW-wide
What is a Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS)?
A Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS) is a site-specific diagram showing the signs, devices and traffic flow used to move vehicles, pedestrians and workers safely around a work zone — and in NSW you can't legally occupy a road or footpath without one. TGS is the current Transport for NSW (TfNSW) term; it replaced "Traffic Control Plan" (TCP) to align with national practice. A standard scheme starts from $250 with same-day turnaround. Work without an approved TGS and a council or NSW Police inspector can issue an on-the-spot fine that can exceed $2,200 a day and shut the site down.
A site-specific TGS must be prepared by a person holding a current SafeWork NSW PWZTMP (Prepare Work Zone Traffic Management Plan) qualification — traffic control training has been prescribed under the WHS Regulation 2017 and managed by SafeWork NSW since 01/07/2020. It's the document councils, principal contractors and TfNSW reviewers look for before works start, and it's almost always required to attach to a Road Occupancy Licence (ROL) or council road-occupation permit. Many councils and contractors still say "TCP" — MK designs to whichever term your paperwork uses, at no difference in price or process. Not sure which document you actually need? Use the decider below.
TGS vs TCP vs TMP vs CTMP — what's the difference?
Four acronyms, constant confusion — and submitting the wrong one is one of the fastest ways to lose a week or two to a council Request for Information. Here's how they relate so you order the right document the first time.
| Document | What it is | When you need it | Who prepares it |
|---|---|---|---|
| TGS | Traffic Guidance Scheme — the site-specific diagram for one traffic-control setup at one location. The current TfNSW term. | Lane closures, footpath works, crane lifts, deliveries, utility works — most short-to-medium jobs on or near a road. | PWZTMP-qualified designer. |
| TCP | Traffic Control Plan — the former name for a TGS, still used by many councils and contractors. Same document. | Whenever your DA condition, permit form or principal contractor asks for a "TCP". | PWZTMP-qualified designer. |
| TMP | Traffic Management Plan — the higher-level document that contains the TGS/TCPs plus risk assessment, staging and stakeholder details. | Larger or multi-stage projects, and where a council or TfNSW requires a full plan rather than a single scheme. | Qualified traffic professional. |
| CTMP | Construction Traffic Management Plan — the DA-condition plan for a whole build. The TGS sits inside it. | Development applications: multi-dwelling, commercial, demolition — commonly from ~$1M project value. | Qualified traffic designer; swept paths to AS 2890.2. |
Building a whole development? You'll likely need a Construction Traffic Management Plan with the TGS deployed inside it. Not sure which applies? Send us your DA conditions or permit form and we'll confirm within the hour — at no cost.
When You Need a Traffic Guidance Scheme
You need a TGS whenever your work affects a public road, footpath or shared zone — and especially when applying for a Road Occupancy Licence or council permit. Common triggers in NSW:
- Road Occupancy Licence (ROL) applications on TfNSW roads
- Council road-occupation permit applications
- Lane or shoulder closures on a public road
- Crane lifts over a footpath or carriageway
- Concrete pumping from a public street
- Kerbside deliveries, hoardings or loading zones
- Utility works (water, gas, NBN, power)
- Footpath closures requiring pedestrian detours
- Roadworks, asphalt and line marking
- DA conditions requiring a TGS or TCP before works
Not sure if your job needs one? Send us your DA conditions, council permit or scope of works — we'll confirm within the hour at no cost — or run the document decider below.
What a Compliant TGS Actually Contains
A TGS is a precise technical drawing, not a sketch — TfNSW requires schemes to be drawn with computer-aided drafting software, not by hand. To pass review under AS 1742.3:2019, every scheme MK designs includes:
- Scaled site diagramTop-down layout of the work area, buffer zones, travel paths, street names and existing line marking — drawn to true road geometry.
- Advance warning signs"Road Work Ahead" and similar signs placed at the correct approach distances for the posted speed.
- Regulatory signageTemporary speed limits, "Prepare to Stop" and other enforceable signs sized to AS 1742.3:2019.
- Delineation devicesCones, bollards and barriers positioned to physically separate traffic from the work zone.
- Taper lengths & buffer zonesCalculated lateral and longitudinal clearances for the lane configuration and speed — tightened under TCAWS 6.1.
- Pedestrian & cyclist managementFootpath closures, 1.2m-minimum alternate routes and bike-lane diversions clearly marked.
- PWZTMP designer detailsDesigner's qualification and accreditation recorded on the document.
- Permit-ready formatBuilt to attach straight to a TfNSW ROL or council road-occupation application.
Who Can Prepare a TGS — and the Three TGS Types
Designing a TGS and implementing it are two different jobs with different qualifications. Getting this wrong is a common reason plans get bounced.
PWZTMP vs ITCP
A PWZTMP-qualified person (Prepare Work Zone Traffic Management Plan) develops and signs off a site-specific TGS, and can change one beyond standard tolerances. An ITCP-qualified person (Implement Traffic Control Plan) selects a generic TGS from a library, sets it up on site, and may modify it only within the tolerances of AS 1742.3:2019. They cannot design a site-specific scheme. Both qualifications are issued under SafeWork NSW.
Generic, Site-Suitable and Site-Specific
TfNSW recognises three levels under Section 7 of the TCAWS Manual: a generic TGS (a library template for simple, low-risk activities), a site-suitable TGS (a generic scheme confirmed appropriate for a specific site), and a site-specific TGS (custom-designed for the exact road, speed, geometry and hazards). The vast majority of real jobs need a site-suitable or site-specific scheme — which is what MK prepares.
Why TGS get rejected (and how to avoid it)
A rejected scheme doesn't just cost a revision — it can reset your ROL clock by another ~10 business days and stall your start date. Most rejections fall into five buckets, and nearly all are avoidable up front.
Inaccurate road measurements
If the plan shows a 3.5m lane that's actually 3.1m on the ground, the reviewer sends it straight back. Schemes must reflect the true geometry of the site — measured, not assumed.
Generic template, no site context
A library template that ignores the actual bus zone, bike lane, driveway or school crossing on your street is the fastest rejection in the catalogue. Councils want a scheme drawn for your site, not a stock drawing.
Sub-1.2m pedestrian gaps
Pinching the footpath detour below the 1.2m accessible minimum is a near-certain bounce in high-pedestrian LGAs. The detour has to work for a wheelchair or pram, drawn to standard.
Wrong document or authority
Submitting a TGS where a full TMP or CTMP was required — or lodging with council when the road is a TfNSW classified road needing an ROL — bounces the application before assessment. Confirm the road authority first.
Outdated terminology & standards
Plans drawn to superseded codes, or that miss a clearway or peak-hour restriction on an arterial, signal an out-of-date approach and trigger a tougher review. Every MK scheme is current to AS 1742.3:2019 and TCAWS 6.1.
Site-specific, current, first time
Every fix points the same way: a CAD scheme built from real measurements, to current standards, lodged with the right authority. That's exactly what we do on every TGS.
Which traffic document do I need?
TGS, TMP or CTMP? Answer three quick questions for an instant indication. Guide only — your DA conditions or permit form are the final word, and we'll confirm free.
Document decider
Nothing is collected — this runs entirely in your browser.
1. What's the work?
2. Does your DA Notice of Determination name a "CTMP" or "Construction Management Plan"?
3. Is it a single, simple setup at one location — or multiple stages / a complex arterial site?
General guide only — not a substitute for reading your consent conditions or professional advice.
What's Included When You Order from MK
Every scheme is built to be approved first time — drawn in current TfNSW language so reviewers don't bounce it back.
- AS 1742.3:2019 compliant signageSign types, spacing and visibility distances per the Australian Standard.
- Current TfNSW terminologyDrawn to the TCAWS (Traffic Control at Work Sites) Technical Manual, Issue 6.1.
- Site-specific risk assessmentHazards identified for the actual road, not a generic template.
- Pedestrian & cyclist managementFootpath closures, 1.2m alternate routes and bike-lane diversions marked.
- PWZTMP-qualified sign-offDesigner's qualification and accreditation recorded on the document.
- ROL & council readyFormatted to attach straight to a TfNSW or council permit application.
- Same-day turnaroundStandard schemes ordered before 11am delivered the same day.
- Free minor revisionsSmall changes (timing, sign placement) at no extra cost.
Traffic Guidance Scheme Cost in NSW
A standard residential TGS in NSW typically costs between $250 and $450. Our pricing by job complexity:
Send us a written competitor quote and we'll beat it by 10%. No catch. Council and ROL fees are separate and paid directly to the authority.
How We Design Your TGS
Three steps from your enquiry to a council-ready PDF in your inbox.
Send Site Details
Email or call with the site address, scope of works, hours, and any DA conditions, ROL or council permit numbers. Site photos help but aren't required.
We Design Your Plan
Our PWZTMP-qualified designers draft your TGS in CAD, referenced against AS 1742.3:2019 and the TfNSW TCAWS Technical Manual (Issue 6.1).
Receive & Submit
Signed PDF in your inbox the same day (for orders before 11am). Attach it to your ROL application, lodge with council, or hand to your principal contractor.
Where We Deliver Traffic Guidance Schemes
We design TGS and TCP documents for any project across New South Wales — Sydney metro, regional centres and rural NSW.
Sydney Metro
Sydney CBD, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, North Shore, Northern Beaches, St George, Sutherland Shire.
Western Sydney
Penrith, Blacktown, Parramatta, Liverpool, Camden, Campbelltown, Hills District, Hawkesbury.
Central Coast & Hunter
Gosford, Wyong, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens.
Illawarra & South Coast
Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla, Bega Valley.
Regional NSW
Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, Lismore.
Anywhere Else
If your project is in NSW, we can design your plan. Send us the location and we'll confirm same day.
"We're an architectural firm and have used MK Traffic a number of times now. Great documentation, great price, short turnarounds to meet our deadlines. A professional firm we're proud to keep using for all our projects." Elias S — Damour Design
Traffic Guidance Scheme FAQs
Direct answers to what NSW builders, project managers and architects ask us most.
What is a Traffic Guidance Scheme?
A Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS) is a site-specific diagram showing the signs, devices and traffic flow that move vehicles, pedestrians and workers safely around a work zone. It's the current Transport for NSW term — it replaced the older name "Traffic Control Plan" (TCP) to harmonise with national practice. Both terms describe the same document.
What's the difference between a TGS and a TCP?
None, in practice. TGS is the current TfNSW term; TCP is the older name still used by many councils and contractors. Both describe the same site-specific work-zone diagram. We design under whichever heading your council, principal contractor or permit application uses — no difference in price or turnaround.
Who can prepare a TGS in NSW?
A site-specific TGS must be prepared by a person holding a current SafeWork NSW PWZTMP (Prepare Work Zone Traffic Management Plan) qualification. An ITCP-qualified controller can select and set up a generic scheme but can't design a site-specific one. Every TGS MK designs is prepared and signed by PWZTMP-qualified personnel.
Do I need a TGS for a Road Occupancy Licence?
Yes. TfNSW and councils require a TGS attached to any Road Occupancy Licence (ROL) or council road-occupation permit that affects a public road, lane or footpath. We format your TGS to drop straight into the application — most are turned around the same day so your permit isn't held up. A clean ROL typically processes in around 10 business days.
What happens if I work without an approved TGS?
A council ranger or NSW Police officer can issue an on-the-spot fine — which can exceed $2,200 a day — and order an immediate stop-work. Beyond the fine, your public liability cover may not respond to an incident on an unauthorised site. A standard TGS from $250 is far cheaper than a shutdown, so it's never worth the risk.
How much does a Traffic Guidance Scheme cost in NSW?
A standard residential TGS costs between $250 and $450. Multi-stage or commercial schemes range from $400 to $800. Complex CBD or major-road schemes sit between $600 and $1,200. Pricing depends on stages, traffic volume and pedestrian impacts. Council and ROL fees are separate. Send a written competitor quote and we'll beat it by 10%.
How long does a TGS take to prepare?
Same-day delivery for standard schemes ordered before 11am. More complex multi-stage schemes typically take 24 to 48 hours. For urgent jobs, call us directly and we'll work to your deadline — most plans are turned around within hours of receiving site details. Allow extra time for the road authority's own review.
What standards does a TGS need to meet in NSW?
A NSW TGS must comply with AS 1742.3:2019 (Traffic control for works on roads) and, for TfNSW works, the Traffic Control at Work Sites (TCAWS) Technical Manual, Issue 6.1 — the current release, published February 2022 and amended by technical directions. For local roads, the relevant council sets the requirements. We confirm the right framework for your specific site.
What's the difference between a generic and a site-specific TGS?
A generic TGS is a library template for a common, low-risk activity such as a minor footpath closure on a quiet street. A site-specific TGS is custom-designed for the actual location — accounting for traffic speed, volume, road geometry and hazards. Most real jobs need a site-suitable or site-specific scheme, which is what MK prepares.
Does my TGS need council or TfNSW approval?
If your work affects a public road, footpath or cycleway, yes. Local roads are approved by the relevant council; classified (State) roads and work within 100m of traffic signals are approved by Transport for NSW, usually via a Road Occupancy Licence. Works can't legally start without that approval, so we build the scheme to submit cleanly the first time.
Need a Different Document?
A TGS covers most short-to-medium works. For full development builds, you'll likely need a Construction Traffic Management Plan; for classified roads, a Road Occupancy Licence.
Ready to get your TGS started?
Send us your site details and we'll quote within the hour. Same-day delivery for orders before 11am.
Request a TGS