Load Restraint Guide review

The NHVR is undertaking a review of the Load Restraint Guide (LRG). Feedback should be provided by Friday 12 September 2025.

Review of the Load Restraint Guide - Discussion Paper (PDF, 3.9MB)

The purpose of this discussion paper is to seek feedback from stakeholders to help shape the next edition of the Load Restraint Guide.

What is it?

The LRG is an important resource used across the heavy vehicle industry to support safe and compliant loading and load restraint practices. Its purpose is to provide guidance on good and best practice load restraint for securing different load types on heavy vehicles for transport.

Why are we consulting?

The NHVR is reviewing the LRG to ensure it continues to meet the needs of industry and reflects current loading technologies, equipment and practices. This consultation focuses on improving how loading requirements and performance standards are explained and applied in the guide. It also seeks views on the structure, layout and overall usability of the guide for different audiences, including drivers, loaders and operators.

The aim is to improve how the guide supports safe loading outcomes, compliance with loading requirements and to promote a safe, productive and efficient heavy vehicle industry.

Background

This review builds on feedback received during the development of the 2018 third edition of the LRG authored by the National Transport Commission (NTC), as well as insights gathered through industry engagement, training activities and public enquiries to the NHVR. It will also consider advancements in load restraint equipment and vehicle design since the 2018 edition.

A fourth edition of the LRG was published by the NHVR in June 2025. This version introduces updated images, minor grammatical adjustments, format changes to improve its usability, the correction of known inconsistencies and notes on withdrawn Australian standards. These changes are primarily cosmetic, intended to enhance user experience, rather than altering the technical content and the 2018 version of the guide remains current and valid for use.

Providing feedback

Feedback should be provided to nhvr.regulatorystandards@nhvr.gov.au by Friday 12 September 2025. There is no required format for submission, you can use the form below or email us directly with your response. If your feedback includes attachments or is longer than three pages, we encourage you to include a short summary of your key points.

Feedback Form - Load Restraint Guide (DOCX, 66KB)

You can use this form to provide feedback on the Load Restraint Guide review.

Publication of submissions

Unless clearly marked IN CONFIDENCE or CONFIDENTIAL, submissions received may be made public at our discretion.

We will consider all submissions, whether published or not. We reserve the right to edit or redact part or all of a submission, or withhold a submission from publication on any grounds, including, but not limited to, offensive language, potentially defamatory material or copyright infringing material.

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