Safe Work Australia is undertaking a review of the model Work Health and Safety Act and model Work Health and Safety Regulations to strengthen and maintain harmonisation. The review will consider jurisdictional differences from the model WHS framework and recommendations from recent reviews and inquiries.
Safe Work Australia is consulting publicly and has published a discussion paper to encourage feedback to inform the review. We want to hear your thoughts on how we can maintain best practice work health and safety laws within the context of strengthening and maintaining harmonisation.
Submissions are welcomed from all interested stakeholders, including regulators, government agencies, unions, workers, health and safety representatives (HSRs), employers, industry representatives, legal and WHS practitioners, researchers, members of the public, families affected by workplace injuries and fatalities and any others who may be affected by or have an interest in WHS legislation and regulation.
Read the discussion paper and take this opportunity to contribute to the review. You can make a submission, or complete our online survey on the Consultation Hub.
The formal consultation process, including written submissions, will close at 5:00 pm on Monday 3 November 2025. However, the review team will continue to meet with interested parties and you can continue to leave feedback via the bestpracticereview@swa.gov.au email address until the end of March 2026. A final report of the findings with recommendations from the Best Practice Review will be provided to WHS ministers in mid-2026.