​Chain of Responsibility

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In Australia, Chain of Responsibility (CoR) is a legal framework that ensures everyone in a supply chain or contractual chain—not just front‑line workers—shares responsibility for safety and compliance. It is most widely recognised in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), but the concept is also reflected in broader Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. It prevents unsafe practices from being pushed down the line and promotes coordinated, whole‑of‑chain accountability.

 

Since 2018, CoR has become more closely with WHS law, emphasising proactive risk management and business‑level accountability. Safe Work Australia extends similar principles to any multi‑layered contractual arrangements at a workplace. In a “contractual chain,” multiple businesses (PCBUs) may share WHS duties simultaneously. WHS obligations in a contractual chain include:

• WHS duties cannot be transferred to another party.

• Multiple parties can share the same duty at the same time.

• All duty holders must participate in consultation, cooperate, and coordinate to manage risks effectively.