Related information:
This case study illustrates 4 key WHS principles that apply to all WHS duties in the model WHS Act and the duty to consult, cooperate and coordinate with other duty holders. Download the case study to learn how the principles apply to labour hire.
The model Code of Practice on sexual and gender-based harassment is intended to be read and applied alongside the model Code of Practice: Managing ps
This case study illustrates 4 key principles that apply to all WHS duties in the model WHS Act and the duty to consult, cooperate and coordinate with other duty holders. Download the case study to learn how the principles apply in the construction industry.
The Model Work Health and Safety Legislation Amendment (Gross Negligence Offences) 2023 includes amendments to the model WHS Act including:
The model laws are amended from time to time. Amendments to the model laws do not automatically apply in a jurisdiction.
This case study illustrates four key WHS principles that apply to all WHS duties in the model WHS Act and the duty to consult, cooperate and coordinate with other duty holders. Download the case study to learn how Anton applies the principles in the outsourcing industry.
This case study illustrates four key WHS principles that apply to all WHS duties in the model WHS Act and the duty to consult, cooperate and coordinate with other duty holders. Download the case study to learn how Muhammad applies the principles in the franchising industry.
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that helps support eligible workers who get sick or injured at work, including while working from home.
This Explanatory Memorandum accompanies the Model Work Health and Safety Legislation Amendment (Offences and Penalties) 2023.
The Model Work Health and Safety Legislation Amendment (Offences and Penalties) 2023 includes amendments to the model WHS Act and model WHS Regulations including:
The Model Work Health and Safety Legislation Amendment (Offences and Penalties) 2023 has been published on the Safe Work Australia website.
Did you know that under the model WHS Act there are 4 principles that apply to work health and safety duties, including those of persons of persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs)?
The model Work Health and Safety Regulations have been amended by the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee. 
The model Work Health and Safety Regulations have been amended by the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee. 
This factsheet provides an overview of your duties under WHS laws to consult, cooperate and coordinate your activities with other duty holders, so far as is reasonably practicable.
The maximum monetary penalties comparison table summarises a sample of monetary penalties from the model WHS Act and the jurisdictions that have adopted the model WHS Act. It also includes a table summarising equivalent penalties in Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004).
The Model WHS Act prescribes a maximum monetary amount known as a penalty for breaches of offences under the Act.
Consulting with workers and other duty holders is a legal requirement under the model WHS Act and an essential part of managing work health and safety.
PCBUs must consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with all other persons who have a work health or safety duty in relation to the same matter, so far as is reasonably practicable.
A health and safety committee (HSC) is a more formal way to consult. It brings together the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) and workers to discuss and develop ways to improve health and safety at work.
Health and safety representatives (HSRs) are workers who are elected to represent the health and safety interests of workers.
‘Work groups’ are groups of workers formed to elect the HSR who will represent them.
Consultation with workers can be done in different ways depending on what suits the size and complexity of the workplace and your workers. It may include formal and informal consultation arrangements.
If you’re a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you must consult with workers and other duty holders in managing work health and safety risks.
Amendments to the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws have been published:
Everyone in the workplace has a work health and safety (WHS) duty.
The primary duty of care in the model WHS Act requires a PCBU to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, workers and other persons are not exposed to risks to their psychological or physical health and safety.
This document provides guidance on the interpretation and application of the term ‘reasonably practicable’ in considering the standard of health and safety that a person conducting a business or undertaking (the duty-holder) is expected to meet under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and Regul
The framework guides the granting, refusal, amendment or cancellation of an exemption by each state, territory and the Commonwealth work health and safety regulator. The package contains:
The principles are part of the National Exemption Framework document package and have been developed to help guide the exemption decision making process. Exemptions must be granted only in the manner as set out in the WHS legislation and can only be made by state and territory WHS regulators.
This guide is part of the National Exemption Framework document package and explains the powers to grant exemptions from the requirements of the WHS Regulations. This guide should be read in conjunction with material provided by your state or territory WHS regulator.
This template is part of the National Exemption Framework document package and provides an indication of the type of document sent to applicants once the work health and safety regulator has made a decision about an exemption application.
This example application is part of the National Exemption Framework document package and provides an indication of the type of document which must be completed prior to lodgement of an exemption application to your jurisdictional work health and safety regulator.
In May 2021, Ministers responsible for work health and safety (WHS) from the Commonwealth and each state and territory considered the response to the Review of the model WHS laws in the Decision Regulatory Impact Statement.
This webinar explores work health and safety obligations and compliance as it applies to small business. The panellists provide insights into how businesses can establish work health and safety management plans to ensure they meet their duty of care now and into the future.
This information sheet explains the difference between model codes of practice and other types of guidance material and outlines the development processes.
Model Codes of Practice are practical guides to achieving the standards of health and safety required under the model WHS Act and Regulations.
This sample form may help you manage cash-in-transit security risks at your workplace.
This form is part of a series which includes:
Each jurisdiction in Australia has its own system of explosives regulation. In 2018, WHS ministers provided in-principle agreement to consider implementing nationally consistent explosives reforms in their jurisdictions.
If you’re a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you have a duty to protect workers’ health and safety. This includes managing the risks associated with remote and isolated work.
There are ways to minimise risks if quad bikes are used in your workplace. You should also consider whether a different vehicle may be safer.
As the PCBU, you must protect workers from noise-related injuries. There are some things you must check and put in place to meet your duties.
Everyone has a role in managing psychosocial risks. These duties are set out in the model WHS Act and model WHS Regulations.
If your work involves lead, as the PCBU, you may have additional duties under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations.