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Key takeaways
- CoR extends legal responsibility to consignors, packers, loaders, schedulers, operators and drivers.
- Each party owes a primary duty to do what is reasonably practicable to ensure safety.
- Penalties are tiered and can be significant for both organisations and individuals.
- A documented policy, training and incident process is the practical baseline.
Why Chain of Responsibility exists
Historically the driver carried most of the enforcement risk, even when an overloaded pallet was packed by someone else. Chain of Responsibility rebalanced that: anyone whose decisions influence how freight is packed, loaded, scheduled or driven shares responsibility for compliance.
Who is in the chain
- Employers, prime contractors and operators
- Schedulers
- Consignors and consignees
- Packers, loaders and unloaders
- Drivers
If a decision you make affects mass, dimension, load restraint, speed or fatigue, you are in the chain — regardless of your job title.
The primary duty
Each party must, so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure the safety of its transport activities. In practice that means identifying risks — such as delivery windows that can only be met by speeding — implementing controls, and reviewing them after incidents or audits.
Building a workable CoR program
- A written CoR policy that names accountable roles
- Induction and refresher training for every team that touches freight
- Documented loading, restraint and dispatch procedures
- An incident and near-miss reporting flow that people actually use
- Records you can produce during an audit or investigation
What drivers can do
Refuse unsafe loads. Report fatigue honestly. Raise mass or restraint concerns in writing — a text or email is enough. A driver who documents the issue and reports it is in a much stronger position in any post-incident investigation.
Note the time, who you spoke to and what was agreed. Contemporaneous records carry far more weight than recollection months later.
Sources and review
Last reviewed by the Aussie Transport Jobs editorial team.
Coverage: HVNL jurisdictions: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, TAS and the ACT.
Limitations: Penalty amounts and categories are set in legislation and change over time. Check the current HVNL and NHVR guidance rather than relying on figures quoted elsewhere.
Official sources
- NHVR — Chain of Responsibility (opens in a new tab)
- Heavy Vehicle National Law (registered legislation, Queensland) (opens in a new tab)
- National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) (opens in a new tab)
This guide provides general information only. Licensing, safety, employment and training requirements can change and may differ between states and territories. Confirm current requirements with the relevant government authority or qualified provider.
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