This summary identifies key themes raised during the consultation process for the Best Practice Review of the model work health and safety laws. 

Safe Work Australia has published a summary of feedback received du

Safe Work Australia is inviting feedback on potential options to improve dispute resolution under the model work health and safety (WHS) laws.

Biological hazards are substances and agents of biological origin, such as from humans, plants and animals, that pose risks to human health. They include viruses, bacteria, parasites, prions and some types of fungi (including mould).

The Model Work Health and Safety Act has been amended by the Parliamentary C

The Model Work Health and Safety Act has been amended by the Parliamentary C

The model Work Health and Safety Regulations have been amended by the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee.&nbsp

The model Work Health and Safety Regulations have been amended by the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee.&nbsp

The model Work Health and Safety Regulations have been amended by the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee.&nbsp

The model Work Health and Safety Regulations have been amended by the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee.&nbsp

Learn what to do if a serious incident happens at your workplace. 

As the busy Christmas trading period approaches, the Australian Human Rights Commission and Safe Work Australia are urging business leaders to take proactive steps to protect their workers from sexual harassment and workplace violence.

Safe Work Australia is undertaking a Best Practice Review of the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and model WHS Regulations to consider best practice approaches in the context of strengthening and maintaining harmonisation of WHS laws.

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.

Safe Work Australia is undertaking a best practice review of the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and model WHS Regulations to consider best practice approaches in the context of strengthening and maintaining harmonisation of WHS laws. 

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.

This Explanatory Memorandum accompanies the

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.&nbsp

The model Work Health and Safety Regulations have been amended by the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee.&nbsp

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.

Supporting information

Supporting information

Supporting information

Supporting information

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.