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Department of Transport and Main Roads

Queensland Livestock Loading Operator’s Guide

Queensland Livestock Loading

The Queensland Government introduced the Queensland Livestock Loading (QLL) to support the safe and efficient movement of livestock across Queensland, while prioritising both animal welfare and vehicle safety.

QLL has three primary objectives:

  • Uphold animal welfare.
  • Ensure vehicle safety.
  • Facilitate appropriate road access.

The Queensland Livestock Loading Operators Guide (the Guide) provides additional information for drivers and operators of livestock vehicles.

How does the Queensland Livestock Loading work?

To participate, eligible vehicles must:

Participation is voluntary for livestock transport operators.

S10 modification code

The S10 certification is completed by an S10-accredited Queensland Approved Person (AP)/Approved Vehicle Examiner (AVE) using the Code.

The Code outlines the:

  • assessments
  • vehicle measurements
  • calculations
  • certification procedures.

The calculated S10 laden masses may be less than:

The Code cannot increase any manufacturer’s ratings.

The AP/AVE must:

  1. weigh the vehicle to determine tare mass
  2. complete the relevant vehicle checklist
  3. calculate imposed (livestock) load
  4. calculate maximum S10 laden masses
  5. inscribe these masses on the Livestock Loading S10 modification plate
  6. affix the plate to the vehicle.

Read more about the Code:

The Notice

The Notice provides exemptions and conditions for access.

While the Notice increases the General Mass Limits for use on the road, the loaded mass of a livestock vehicle is managed by three key controls:

  • supporting animal welfare through accurate measurement of internal trailer dimensions and livestock loading density
  • the regulation and verification of unladen trailer mass and virtual livestock mass through the S10 certification process
  • not exceeding manufacturer’s ratings for the vehicle and any component under any circumstances.

Drivers and operators need to comply with the mass limits in the Notice and on the Livestock Loading S10 Modification Plate.

Eligible vehicles

Eligible heavy vehicles are:

  • rigid trucks
  • dog trailers
  • prime movers
  • semitrailers
  • converter dolly trailers.

Eligible heavy vehicles, except tri-axle converter dolly trailers, must be fitted with a valid Livestock Loading S10 modification plate and comply with all requirements of the Notice.

Tri-axle converter dolly trailers can be used in a combination, however, S10 certification is not required and a maximum mass limit of 20 tonne applies.

Eligible vehicles and combinations

Eligible vehicles and combinations are:

  • rigid truck
  • rigid truck towing a 5 or 6 axle dog trailer
  • prime mover towing a 3-axle semitrailer
  • B-double combination
  • B-triple combination
  • road train combination

Livestock

Eligible livestock are:

  • cattle
  • goats
  • horses
  • pigs
  • sheep.

Transport requirements

For road transport, livestock must be loaded in full on the lower deck before livestock are carried in the upper deck(s). When livestock does not completely fill a deck, the livestock must be securely restrained in position by full-width barriers to prevent excessive livestock movement and 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 cannot exceed:

  • 2-decks for cattle or horses
  • 3-decks for pigs
  • 4-decks for sheep or goats.

Interstate registered vehicles

Vehicles registered in another state or territory may operate in Queensland. However, they may only operate under the QLL notice if they meet all conditions of the Notice, including being certified and fitted with an S10 modification plate.

Mutual recognition requirements

Vehicles transporting livestock from another state or territory using another state or territory livestock loading concession can transport livestock to or from Queensland when complying with this section and the Approved Routes section of this Guide.

Vehicles complying with the mutual recognition requirements do not need to be S10 certified or have a Livestock Loading S10 modification plate fitted.

When operating in Queensland, all conditions of the other state or territory livestock loading concession must be complied with, for example mass limits, certifications, and accreditations.

The following requirements must be met:

  • Mutual recognition only applies to livestock being transported to or from Queensland
  • Transporting livestock within Queensland using another state or territory concession is not permitted
  • The vehicle or combination must only be used on an approved route, for example, a type 1 road train is restricted to the road train type 1 network (RT1 route), refer to the Approved Routes section in this Guide
  • Proof of the Livestock Loading concession will need to be provided if requested by Queensland Police or a Safety Compliance Officer from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

Approved routes

An eligible combination that is a restricted access vehicle must comply with the relevant national notice that provides access, these vehicles include:

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.

For more information

For further information about the Livestock Loading Operator's Guide, email [email protected].

For information relevant to S10 Approved Persons or Approved Vehicle Examiners, visit our S10 certification concessional livestock loading webpage.

The NHVR provides information about Modification Code S10 and Chain of Responsibility on their website.

For information about animal welfare during transport, visit the Business Queensland website.

Last updated
1 June 2026

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