A major overhaul of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code is underway to address gaps, incorporate best practices, and manage new risks to keep the transportation of dangerous goods safe.

Driven by the National Transport Commission (NTC), it is the first full review of the code since 2007.

Dangerous goods are substances and articles which, because of their chemical or physical properties, pose hazards requiring special controls for their safe transport and storage.

Transporting dangerous substances is an operation that can potentially impact the environment and the surrounding community.

Public consultation is now open, focusing on key areas to modernise the code, simplify compliance processes, improve safety, and better align with international standards.

Since January 2023, the National Transport Commission (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.

As part of the review, a Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement has been prepared to gather feedback on the draft code and evaluate the impact of proposed changes.

Feedback on the statement can be submitted through the NTC website until 10 December 2024, and the new code is expected to be published in 2025.