Background
In July 2008, the Council of Australia Governments formally committed to the harmonisation of workplace health and safety laws by signing an Intergovernmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in OHS (IGA).
The IGA outlines the commitment of all states and territories and the Commonwealth to work together to develop and implement model workplace health and safety laws as the most effective way to achieve harmonisation in Australia.
The IGA also provides for the establishment of a new independent body to drive the development and implementation of the model workplace health and safety laws. On 3 April 2009, the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) endorsed the creation of Safe Work Australia and the establishment of the Safe Work Australia Council.
An independent panel has reviewed workplace health and safety laws in each state, territory and the Commonwealth and advised WRMC on the optimal structure and content of a model work health and safety Act that can be adopted in all jurisdictions.
The National Occupational Health and Safety Review panel provided two reports making recommendations on the optimal structure and content of a model work health and safety Act.
WRMC made decisions in relation to the National Occupational Health and Safety Review recommendations and provided Safe Work Australia with directions on the scope and content of the Model Work Health and Safety Act in early April 2009.
Page last updated: 26/02/2010