The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released its 2026 Master Code, providing updated, practical guidance to help improve safety across Australia’s heavy vehicle industry.
Developed with extensive input from industry and supply-chain participants, the revised Master Code is designed to support owners, operators and all parties in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) to better understand, manage and reduce safety risks in everyday operations.
NHVR Acting Chief Safety and Productivity Officer Kelli Walker said the updated Code was intended to clarify obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), not add new regulatory burdens.
“This revised and expanded Master Code is not about introducing new rules or red tape,” said Walker.
“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 Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) sets specific legal requirements around matters such as driving hours, mass and dimension limits, it also places a Primary Duty on all parties to ensure safety so far as is reasonably practicable. The 2026 Master Code aims to bridge the gap between this legal duty and day-to-day business decisions by identifying common risks and outlining practical ways to prevent harm.
NHVR CEO Nicole Rosie said the Code would be released alongside supporting guidance material, with further resources to be developed in consultation with industry.
“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,” said Rosie.
“By continuing to work alongside industry, we can help turn information into action and support safer outcomes for drivers, operators and the wider community.”
The regulator emphasised that the Master Code applies well beyond businesses that own trucks or employ drivers. Organisations that contract transport services, manage warehouses, operate loading facilities or otherwise influence heavy vehicle activities are also encouraged to use the Code to meet their CoR obligations.
Building on the original 2018 version, the 2026 Master Code was developed over two years and reflects updated safety practices, lessons learned and the evolving understanding of risk management across the sector.
“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,” said Walker.
In other news, Arrow Transport recently completed an A-triple trial.
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