Master Code Review

The Master Code (876KB) was first registered in November 2018 as a general code that applies to the whole of the heavy vehicle industry. It is widely used and still regarded as an authoritative source of information about safety in heavy vehicle transport. This review is an opportunity to build on existing content in the Master Code, with broad input from stakeholders and industry.

Updates

As the review proceeds, we will provide regular updates in our monthly On the Road newsletter and our social media channels. If you have any questions about the review process, please contact codes@nhvr.gov.au

To receive emails specifically on the review please Subscribe to Master Code review updates.

Review Timeline

The review consists of six phases, with input from stakeholders in phases 1, 2 and 4.

Phase 1 (June-July): Request for stakeholder feedback and comment

In Master Code Review - Phase 1, we asked industry to provide written feedback or comments about the current version of the Master Code and respond to these questions:

  • Are the hazards, risks, and controls in the code still comprehensive and relevant?
  • Are there new hazards, risks and controls that should be included?
  • Are there existing controls that should be updated or altered? 
  • Is the code practical, clear and easy to follow?

Phase 2 (August-September): Working groups and webinars

We will convene internal and external working groups to review and consider all the feedback that is received.

The internal group will consist of technical, regulatory and policy experts from within the NHVR and its regulatory partners.

The external working group will consist of volunteers from a range of transport, logistics and other businesses, large and small, as well as auditors, consultants, and compliance managers.

We may also convene public webinars to discuss topics that have generated the most feedback and debate.

Phase 3 (October): Proposed draft developed

We will draft a revised version of the Master Code incorporating changes proposed and supported by review participants.

The new draft will be an information resource that parties in the Chain of Responsibility and their executives can use to better manage the safety of their transport activities.

In structure, the new draft will resemble the Code of Practice template (DOCX, 134KB) from the February 2022 guidelines on which two recent codes were based.

Phase 4 (November): Draft published for feedback

We will publish a new draft version of the Master Code for further review and feedback.

You will have at least 28 days in which to provide feedback.

Phase 5 (January): Feedback on draft reviewed and final changes

In conjunction with working groups, we will review all feedback received and will make appropriate changes to the draft.

Phase 6 (February): Assessment and Registration by the NHVR

We will convene an assessment panel to review the draft, to recommend any final changes and to make a recommendation to the NHVR about whether or not the code should be registered.

In this phase we will follow applicable procedures and principles from the February 2022 guidelines.