The Master Code for Australia’s heavy vehicle industry has been updated for the first time since 2018, providing refreshed guidance on how businesses across the supply chain can meet their safety responsibilities under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
Released in January 2026 by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), the updated Master Code reflects the uplift in safety standards across industry over the past seven years and sets a clearer benchmark for what is considered reasonably practicable when managing heavy vehicle transport risks.
The Code is designed as a practical guide to help businesses understand their Primary Duty and assist executives in meeting their Executive Duty under the HVNL. Importantly, while the law itself has not changed, expectations around how risks are identified, assessed and controlled have evolved.
NTI Supply Chain Technical Manager Aaron Louws said the updated Master Code is now the most comprehensive collection of reference material available to Australian industry on managing heavy vehicle transport activities.
“The law hasn’t changed, but the benchmark has,” Louws said. “If a business controls or influences heavy vehicle transport activities, the updated Master Code is the single largest collection of reference material in Australia on how to manage those activities, associated hazards and risks.”
Broader application beyond transport operators
One of the key messages in the updated Code is that Chain of Responsibility obligations extend well beyond traditional road transport businesses. The guidance applies to organisations in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, mining, retail and logistics.
“If you send or receive freight, outsource transport, or impose requirements that affect delivery times or loading practices, the Code provides guidance on what you can do to balance safety, productivity and compliance,” Louws said.
This broader focus reflects the reality that safety risks can be created at many points in the supply chain, not just behind the wheel of a truck.
Shift to activity-based thinking
A significant change in the updated Master Code is its move away from role-based obligations towards an activity-based framework. Rather than focusing on job titles or positions in the supply chain, the Code prompts organisations to examine the specific activities they undertake that may influence heavy vehicle operations.
Businesses are encouraged to identify which transport-related activities apply to them, review existing controls, and document how risks are being managed in practice.
“You don’t have to implement every control in the Code,” Louws said. “But you should be prepared to explain that what you’re choosing to do is equally as effective for your business at managing the risk.”
Support and next steps for industry
To support industry adoption, NTI’s CoRSafe program is delivering a range of free resources as part of its Road to the Code series, including a webinar scheduled for 18 February to help businesses understand what the updates mean in practice.
The updated Master Code applies in all HVNL jurisdictions, excluding Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
For fleet operators, asset owners and organisations that influence freight movements, the revised Code provides a timely opportunity to reassess existing practices, confirm they align with current expectations, and ensure safety management approaches are documented, defensible and fit for purpose.
