The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has released an industry-driven guide to support safer heavy vehicle operations and Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations.
The 2026 Master Code, developed with extensive input from across the supply chain, was designed to support owners, operators and supply-chain participants to better understand, manage and reduce safety risks in day-to-day operations.
NHVR Acting Chief Safety and Productivity Officer, Kelli Walker, said the updated Master Code and supporting material provided clear, practical ways to help businesses meet their Primary Duty to ensure safety under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
“This revised and expanded Master Code is not about introducing new rules or red tape,” she said.
“It provides a clear roadmap to safer operations, informed by the collective experience of industry, regulators and operators right across the heavy vehicle supply chain.”
While the HVNL sets out specific legal requirements such as limits on driving hours, axle loads and vehicle dimensions, it also includes a primary duty which requires all parties to ensure safety so far as is reasonably practicable.
The 2026 Master Code bridges the gap between this legal duty and everyday business decisions by identifying what can go wrong in business operations that involve heavy vehicles and outlining practical ways to prevent harm.
NHVR CEO, Nicole Rosie, said the regulator will continue to work closely with industry over the coming months to develop further resources to support understanding and the application of the code.
“The heavy vehicle industry operates in a complex and demanding environment, and we know operators and drivers are balancing safety, productivity and compliance every day,” she said.
“By continuing to work alongside industry, we can help turn information into action and support safer outcomes for drivers, operators and the wider community.”
According to the NHVR, the Master Code applies well beyond businesses that own trucks or employ drivers.
Parties which contract transport services, manage warehouses, operate loading facilities or influence heavy vehicle activities are also being advised to use the code to understand and meet their CoR obligations.
“Many of the recommendations reflect practices already in place across the industry, while also providing a strong foundation for businesses looking to strengthen or reassess their safety systems,” Walker said.
“By working together and using tools like the new Master Code, we can improve safety outcomes, protect workers and the public and support a more consistent and informed approach to safety across the industry.”
The 2026 Master Code, developed over two years and building on the original 2018 version, reflects the lived experience and operational realities of the heavy vehicle industry.
It incorporates lessons learned, improved safety practices and new insights gained as the industry’s understanding of risk management has matured.
In other news, registrations are open for VTA State Conference 2026.
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