Chain of Responsibility in Western Australia: 10 Years On

On 27 April 2015, Western Australia introduced Chain of Responsibility (CoR) law, a major step forward for road safety, transport compliance, and the logistics industry.

While states like Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria had already implemented CoR, WA aligned with national standards through the Road Traffic (Administration) Act 2008 and Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012.

What is Chain of Responsibility (CoR)?

Chain of Responsibility is a legal framework that ensures everyone in the transport supply chain shares responsibility for heavy vehicle safety and compliance, not just the driver.

This includes:

• Consignors

• Loaders

• Schedulers

• Operators

• Receivers

Why CoR Still Matters in 2026

Ten years on, CoR remains critical to freight transport, supply chain management, and heavy vehicle compliance across Australia.

Its key focus areas include:

• Improving road safety

• Reducing risks like fatigue, speeding, and unsafe loading

• Strengthening compliance and accountability across logistics operations

CoR is no longer just about avoiding penalties, it’s about building a safety-first culture across the entire supply chain.

Compliance and Penalties

Breaches of Chain of Responsibility laws can result in fines, sanctions, and in serious cases, imprisonment. Businesses are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure safe and compliant transport activities at every stage.

The Bottom Line

In today’s fast moving logistics environment, CoR plays a vital role in balancing efficiency, compliance, and safety. A decade on, the message is clear: responsibility is shared, and safety is everyone’s business.

For more information, visit Main Roads Western Australia.