Livestock Loading Operators Guide
The Queensland Government introduced Livestock Loading to provide efficient transportation of livestock throughout Queensland by providing an increase to mass limits and measures to improve the safety for both the vehicle and livestock.
Livestock Loading in Queensland operates under the Queensland Class 3 Livestock Loading Exemption Notice (the Notice) which is authorised under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Queensland).
On this page
Eligibility under the notice
Livestock eligibility
Livestock are eligible under the Notice include the following:
- cattle
- goats
- horses
- pigs
- sheep.
Vehicle eligibility
An eligible vehicle is a heavy vehicle that:
- has a Livestock Loading S10 plate attached
- complies with all the requirements of the Notice
- is one of the following vehicles or combinations:
- rigid truck
- rigid truck towing a 5 or 6 axle dog trailer
- prime mover towing a semitrailer
- B-double combination
- B-triple combination
- road train combination.
Requirements under the Notice
Loading requirements
While the Notice provides an increase to mass limits, loaded mass is controlled by 3 key principles:
- Internal trailer dimensions (deck length) are specified and checked as part of the certification process.
- Trailer unladen mass is regulated and checked as part of the certification process.
- Manufacturers ratings for all components must not be exceeded.
Transport requirements
Livestock must be loaded in full on the lower deck before livestock are carried in the upper deck.
When livestock does not completely fill a deck, the livestock must be securely restrained in position by full-width barriers to prevent instability of the vehicle when in motion.
No other freight can be carried at the same time as livestock.
The number of decks used to transport livestock can't exceed:
- 2 decks for cattle
- 3 decks for pigs
- 4 decks for sheep.
Interstate mutual recognition requirements
Vehicles registered in another state or territory may operate under the Notice provided the vehicle complies to all conditions of the Notice, example S10 modification plate.
Mutual recognition will be applied to vehicles approved to operate as a Livestock Loading Vehicle in the state or territory of scheme registration, including:
- Northern Territory Livestock Loading Scheme
- NSW Livestock Loading Scheme
- South Australia Livestock Loading Scheme
- Tasmanian Livestock Loading Scheme
- Victorian Livestock Loading Scheme.
All conditions of your relevant state's Livestock Loading Scheme will apply when operating in Queensland. This includes, but is not limited to, mass limits, certification and accreditation.
You will need to provide evidence of your relevant Livestock Loading Scheme approval if requested by a member of the Queensland Police Service or a Safety Compliance Officer from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
The NHVR provide compliance and enforcement activities for the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
Vehicle S10 Modification / Certification
An eligible vehicle (excluding tri-axle converter dollies) operating under this Notice must be fitted with a current and compliant Queensland Livestock Loading S10 Plate, including the maroon colour plate. Vehicles previously certified under the S10 Code with a modification plate will be recognised as eligible for the Scheme.
Read more about the Modification Code S10 Concessional Livestock Loading - Vehicle Rating and heavy vehicle modifications on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website.
Routes
A restricted access vehicle that is eligible to operate under the Notice must comply with the relevant national notice that provides access, these vehicles include:
- B-doubles must operate in conjunction with the National Class 2 B-double Authorisation Notice
- road trains must operate in conjunction with the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice
- rigid truck and trailer combination exceeding 19m up to 31.5m must operate in conjunction with the Queensland Class 3 Truck and Dog Trailer (exceeding 19m up to 31.5m in length) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice.
Visit the NHVR National Network Map to view approved routes for:
- B-double vehicles up to 23m
- B-double vehicles up to 25/26m
- Road train type 1 up to 36.5m
- Road train type 2 up to 53.5m.
Livestock Loading – B-Triple Loading Advice
The loading advice is provided to assist B-triple drivers and operators to load Notice mass limits.
Note: It does not provide immunity from mass offences related to this notice.
B-triple (20 – 30 – 40 foot configuration trailers)
| Average best weight per head |
Indicative maximum number of head for compliant loading |
Deck | Indicative loading configuration | ||||||
| Trailer 1 | Trailer 2 | Trailer 3 | |||||||
| 520kg | 108 | Top | 13 | 16 | 13 | 11 | |||
| Bottom | 13 | 17 | 13 | 12 | |||||
| 650kg | 82 | Top | 10 | 7 | Empty | 20 | |||
| Bottom | 10 | 15 | 20 | ||||||
| 770kg | 70 | Top | 9 | 11 | 6 | 8 | |||
| Bottom | 9 | 12 | 6 | 9 | |||||
For more information about the Livestock Loading Operators Guide email hv.policy@tmr.qld.gov.au.
For more information
Learn more about the Modification Code S10 on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website.
Find out more about animal welfare during transport on the Business Queensland website.
Read more about Chain of Responsibility on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website.
- Last updated 22 April 2024