The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has unveiled a new master code for 2026 to support safety across the heavy vehicle industry.
The new industry-driven guide is designed to help all parties in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) meet safety obligations.
The 2026 Master Code was developed with input from across the supply chain to help owners, operators and supply chain members understand, manage and reduce safety risks in day-to-day operations.
NHVR acting chief safety and productivity officer Kelli Walker says the updated Master Code and supporting material provided clear and 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,” Walker says.
“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 that requires all parties to ensure safety so far as is reasonably practicable.
The NHVR says 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.
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NHVR CEO Nicole Rosie says the Code would be published today alongside practical guidance material, with the regulator continuing to work closely with industry over the coming months to develop further resources to support its understanding and application.
“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 says.
“By continuing to work alongside industry, we can help turn information into action and support safer outcomes for drivers, operators and the wider community.”
Importantly, the Master Code applies well beyond businesses that own trucks or employ drivers.
Parties that contract transport services, manage warehouses, operate loading facilities or otherwise influence heavy vehicle activities should also use the Code to understand and meet their CoR obligations.
Developed over two years and building on the original 2018 version, the 2026 Master Code reflects the lived experience and operational realities of the heavy vehicle industry, incorporating lessons learned, improved safety practices and new insights gained as the industry’s understanding of risk management has matured.
“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 says.
“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 new Master Code along with how-to-use guidance material and FAQs can be viewed now on the NHVR website.