NHVR seeks input on proposed Wine Industry Code of Practice

NHVR Seeks Input on Proposed Wine Industry Code of Practice

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has made public the draft Wine Industry Code of Practice, enabling any stakeholder interested in the wine sector to examine and provide feedback on the Code prior to its evaluation for registration.

NHVR Chief Safety and Productivity Officer David Hourigan said the Wine Code has been created to enhance safety results in the wine sector, with the goal of supporting parties in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) in fulfilling their primary duty obligations as outlined in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

A Practical Guide for Heavy Vehicle Operators

"The Wine Code is a practical guide relevant to any business in the wine industry that operates, uses or works with heavy vehicles," Mr Hourigan said.

"We know the grape and wine industry has a unique set of risks arising from the movement of raw materials during harvest season and the movement of finished products outside of the season."

These risks call for clear national standards that address heavy vehicle safety across every stage of the supply chain, from grape collection through to distribution of finished stock.

A Supplementary Code, Not a Standalone Document

According to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), the Wine Code is considered a supplementary Code, intended not to be comprehensive but rather to concentrate on the specific activities and risks associated with the grape and wine industry across Australia.

Businesses seeking advice on how this draft aligns with broader national obligations under the HVNL may find it useful to compare it against similar supplementary guidance, such as the crane industry code of practice recently opened for public comment by the regulator.

Stakeholders wanting further advice on the model Code framework can also review the Safe Work Australia consultation on its proposed model Code of Practice, which offers helpful context on how national consultation processes typically unfold before formal registration.

How to Provide Feedback

Wine sector businesses, transport operators, and other Chain of Responsibility parties are encouraged to review the draft and submit feedback before the regulator finalises the Code. Consultation input directly shapes final standards and ensures the document reflects real operational conditions faced by growers, transporters, and processors alike.

For organisations wanting to strengthen their existing safety documentation while this Code is finalised, exploring our Industry Packages or broader Industry Suites may provide useful additional advice and resources tailored to heavy vehicle and transport-related risks.

Learn more here.