This page includes resources for office workplaces on work health and safety, workers’ compensation and COVID-19.
Office-based work occurs in almost all industry sectors, but is especially prevalent in:
- information media and telecommunications
- financial and insurance services
- rental, hiring and real estate services
- professional, scientific and technical services
- administrative and support services
- public administration, and
- call centres.
While the workplace is typically an office building, work may be undertaken in a range of locations including the workers’ private home.
To ensure this information is as accessible and easy to understand as possible, we refer to ‘employers’ and their responsibilities.
However, under the model WHS laws, duties apply to any person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) which includes employers, but also others who engage workers. For more information about who is a PCBU see our Interpretive Guideline – model Work Health and Safety Act – the meaning of ‘person conducting a business or undertaking'.
The model WHS laws have been implemented in all jurisdictions except Victoria and Western Australia.
Safe Work Australia does not regulate or enforce WHS laws or the recently introduced COVID-19 restrictions on business operations. If you want to know how WHS laws apply to you or need help with what to do at your workplace, contact the WHS regulator in your jurisdiction. If you want to know what restrictions on business operations apply to you or your workplace, go to your relevant state and territory government website for information.