Comprehensive review of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code

The NTC is conducting the first comprehensive review of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (the Code) in 15 years. 

A high-level update of the ADG Code happens every two years. 

Off

Next steps in review of the Code

Dangerous goods are essential to everyday life and modern economies, and play a vital role in industries including manufacturing, agriculture and energy.

The Australian Dangerous Goods Code (the Code) establishes the requirements for the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail in Australia. It sets out rules and guidelines for classifying, packaging, marking, labelling and transporting dangerous goods safely.

Over the past 21 months, the NTC has published 12 discussion papers on aspects of the Code that need updating or improving.  

Following this review, the NTC has prepared a draft update to ensure the Code meets current best practices and the needs of industry and regulators.  

The draft Code addresses gaps, incorporates best practices, and manages new risks to keep the transport of dangerous goods safe.  

As part of our review, we’ve prepared a Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (C-RIS) to gather feedback on the draft Code and evaluate the impact of proposed changes.  

You can also read a shorter C-RIS summary document that provides a quick overview.

Get involved

Your feedback will ensure the draft Code delivers the right requirements to keep Australia’s transport system safe.

Here’s how to get involved:  
Read the full C-RIS to understand the details of this consultation. 

Join us online to explore proposed changes to the Code. We’ll share more about the case for change and the likely impact of this as examined in the C-RIS.

Provide your feedback via our online form below, or prepare and upload a submission in response to the C-RIS.

Attend an information session

To register for your preferred time, click on the relevant link below. You only need to come to one. All times listed are AEST.  

Presentation and discussion (60 minutes) 

A recording of our webinars will be uploaded here so those who can’t attend don’t miss out.

Your views will help us finalise the draft Code for ministers to consider in 2025.
Public consultation closes on 10 December 2024.

How to review the ADG Code
 

Video file

Engagement to date

We have worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders throughout the review of the Code. This has helped shape the proposed updates to the Code, ensuring that the needs of businesses, regulators, and the public are taken into account.

Our engagement began in 2020 with an issues paper that explored the legal framework for transporting dangerous goods. This paper highlighted key areas for reform, such as improving safety, fixing outdated rules, and closer alignment with international standards like the Agreement for the International Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) and the Agreement for the International Transport of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID). 

Since then, we’ve continued to gather input through:

Draft Code structure

To help you navigate the draft Code and locate the sections most relevant to your needs:

  • Part 1 of the Code applies to everyone along the transport supply chain. It includes general exemptions and concessions, definitions and administrative requirements, and items that could not previously be found in the Code.
  • Part 2 of the Code looks at classifying dangerous goods. While classification hasn’t changed, we have introduced classification codes to assist in understanding the hazards of specific dangerous goods for transport.
  • Part 3, 4 and 5 will be important to any consignors or packers of dangerous goods. Part 3 includes the dangerous goods list and special provisions.
  • Parts 4 and 5 contain information on packing dangerous goods and preparing them for transport.
  • Also in Part 5 and in Part 7 is information for transport companies and anyone who loads dangerous goods onto vehicles to be transported.
  • Part 7, specifically, relates to loading, segregation and stowage.
  • Part 8 covers all the requirements for vehicle crews transporting dangerous goods.
  • If you design or construct packagings, tanks or other containment systems, then Part 6 will have the information you need.
  • And if you design or manage special vehicles used for dangerous goods, like tank vehicles, then Part 9 is where you’ll find these details.

Feedback to the draft Code

As you may appreciate, the draft Code is a very large document. 

In addition to providing your feedback to our C-RIS, you may like to notify us to any material or drafting issues identified in the draft Code. To do so, please download this form and email it back to us at ADGcode@ntc.gov.au.
 

More information

If you’d like to express interest in the program, be added to our mailing list or ask us a question about our work, we’d like to hear from you at ADGcode@ntc.gov.au.