NHVR opens public consultation on revised Master Code set to boost Heavy Vehicle safety standards
The NHVR has released a draft revised Industry Code of Practice, known as the Master Code, for public consultation, inviting input from all stakeholders across the heavy vehicle industry.
The Master Code, originally registered in November 2018, serves as a vital general code for the entire heavy vehicle industry and an authoritative source of information concerning safety in heavy vehicle transport. It provides guidance about managing major hazards, focusing on speed, fatigue, vehicle safety, mass, dimension and loading.
To ensure the Master Code remains current and supports a safer heavy vehicle industry, the NHVR has undertaken an extensive review and is now seeking feedback from stakeholders over the coming weeks.
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New Log Haulage Code of Practice to improve safety for forestry industry
The NHVR’s new Log Haulage Industry Code of Practice (LHC) provides guidance for businesses involved at each level of the forest log haulage task.
The release of the LHC comes after working closely with the Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) and the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), along with industry representatives, stakeholders and vehicle and equipment manufacturers, to recognise key issues in log haulage.
The LHC provides information and guidance for any operator whose business: Owns a forestry area where logs are harvested, harvests or stockpiles logs for transport, loads, operates or contracts heavy vehicles to transport logs, or manages a facility such as a mill where logs are delivered. The NVHR will work further with industry associations and participants to roll out information and awareness of the Code, in a project funded by a Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative grant.
Read the Log Haulage Industry Code of Practice.
The NHVR has released five key infographics from the 2024 National Roadworthiness Survey
The survey provides a large volume of data for the heavy vehicle industry with a purpose of improving their understanding of mechanical conditions and highlight areas needing improvement. The 2024 survey was the largest health check ever performed on Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet, with over 9,000 vehicles inspected.
To assist industry with using this data, the NHVR has produced five snapshot reports for the most common vehicle types. These reports breakdown the inspection results for the five key vehicle types surveyed, highlighting the most common defect categories and the most frequent reasons for rejection in each category.
You can view these on the NHVR website here.
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Have your say: Submit feedback for the next Load Restraint Guide edition
The NHVR is undertaking a review of the Load Restraint Guide and is seeking feedback from industry for future updates, ensuring it continues to reflect safe load restraint practices. This consultation focuses on improving how loading requirements and performance standards are explained and applies in the guide.
This is a great opportunity for industry, engineers and other interested parties to get involved and contribute feedback through our consultation channels. The guide was created for a range of different industry sectors, and we want to ensure it continues to be a reliable source of information.
You can view the discussion paper here and submit your feedback by Friday 12 September 2025.
To view the draft code and for further information on how to provide feedback, visit the NHVR website. For more information on the Master Code review read the Master Code Review FAQs.