CoR Audit Checklist - Australia

A written CoR policy is in place, signed by a senior executive, and states the organisation's primary duty to ensure the safety of its transport activities so far as is reasonably practicable.

Executive officers have completed CoR due diligence training and records confirm they understand their personal obligations under the HVNL.

Roles and responsibilities for each CoR risk area are documented and assigned to named positions across the organisation.

A process is in place to monitor HVNL regulatory changes and update internal CoR policies and procedures accordingly.

Drivers required to keep a work diary are doing so correctly, and records are available for the audit review period.

Drivers operating under an electronic work diary (EWD) have received training in its use, and system records are accessible for review.

Schedules are reviewed to confirm transit times allow drivers to complete journeys within applicable work and rest hour limits without speeding.

No contracts, delivery windows, incentives, or instructions exist that would cause or encourage a driver to drive while fatigued or exceed work hour limits.

Fitness for duty declarations or equivalent checks are completed before drivers commence shifts.

Rest facilities at depots and relevant stop points are adequate and accessible to drivers.

Fatigue-related incidents and near misses are recorded and reviewed, with corrective actions tracked to closure.

All planned journeys can be completed within applicable speed limits given the route, vehicle class, and required rest stops.

Heavy vehicles over 12 tonnes GVM are fitted with speed limiters set to the applicable maximum and calibration records are on file.

No contracts, incentives, or instructions exist that would cause or encourage a driver to exceed posted or class speed limits.

Telematics or other monitoring records are reviewed at a defined frequency to identify and address speed compliance breaches.

A process is in place to verify that vehicles are not loaded beyond their registered GVM or GCM before departure.

Weighbridge records or equivalent mass verification documents are kept on file for the audit review period.

Loading plans are developed for complex or high-risk loads and shared with all relevant CoR parties before transport.

Container weight declarations are obtained from the responsible entity before containers are transported.

Where mass or dimension permits are required, current permits are held on file and vehicle configurations comply with permit conditions.

Load restraint equipment — chains, straps, and tie-down points — is inspected before use and any damaged or unrated equipment is removed from service.

Restraint methods comply with the Load Restraint Guide 2018 for the load type and vehicle configuration in use.

Load restraint documentation is completed at the point of loading, recording the method used, equipment applied, and responsible person.

Drivers are required to inspect loads for shift during the journey on trips where load shift risk is elevated, and any occurrences are logged.

A register of load restraint failures and load shift incidents is maintained and reviewed to identify recurring risks.

Loads are inspected on arrival where required, and non-conformances with loading plans or restraint standards are reported to the responsible CoR party.

A scheduled maintenance program is in place for all heavy vehicles in the fleet, and service records confirm completion at the required intervals.

Pre-start inspection records are completed by drivers before each shift and retained for the required period.

A defect reporting process is in place — drivers can report defects, defects are recorded, and vehicles with safety-critical defects are removed from service until repaired.

Defect closeout records confirm repairs were completed and verified before the vehicle returned to service.

Maintenance and inspection records are available for all vehicles operated during the audit review period, including contractor or hired vehicles under the operator's control.

Current driver licence records are on file for all drivers, confirming the correct licence class for the vehicle type operated.

Records confirm all drivers have completed CoR-specific training covering their obligations under the HVNL.

Site-specific or client induction records are on file where drivers access third-party sites with induction requirements.

Medical certificates or health assessments are held on file where required by fatigue accreditation scheme conditions or client contracts.

A process exists to identify and act on expired licences, lapsed training, or medical recertification requirements before drivers return to duty.

Contractor and subcontractor CoR compliance is assessed before engagement — evidence of their safety systems, training, and maintenance records is held on file.

Transport contracts with carriers, subcontractors, and relevant supply chain parties include explicit CoR compliance obligations.

A non-conformance register is maintained covering CoR breaches, near misses, and audit findings, with corrective actions assigned, tracked, and closed out.

Health and safety and CoR records are retained for the periods required under HVNL regulations — generally two to five years depending on record type.