Model WHS Laws

We created the model WHS laws in 2011.

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WHS laws in your jurisdiction

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Data and Research

We collect, analyse and publish data and information on work health and safety and workers' compensation.

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Key work health and safety statistics

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Resources and Publications

We publish a wide range of resources covering many work health and safety topics.

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Read our Codes of Practice

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Practical guidance to registered medical practitioners about requirements under the work health and safety (WHS) laws for health monitoring.
/resources-and-publications/guidance-materials/health-monitoring-registered-medical-practitioners-guide

This model Code of Practice guides you on managing risks with spray painting and powder coating. 

Use this Code of Practice if you have any spray painting or powder coating processes at your workplace. 

/doc/model-code-practice-spray-painting-and-powder-coating

This model Code of Practice provides practical guidance on managing electrical risks in the workplace. 

Use this guide if you: 

  • manage or control electrical equipment 

/doc/model-code-practice-managing-electrical-risks-workplace

This model Code of Practice provides guidance on providing first aid in the workplace. 

It includes information on: 

  • first aid kits 

  • procedures 

  • facilities 

/doc/model-code-practice-first-aid-workplace

A person who conducts a business and undertaking must notify their WHS regulator of certain serious incidents at work, referred to as ‘notifiable incidents’. This is a mandatory requirement under WHS laws.  

/doc/incident-notification-information-sheet
Information on the representation and participation of workers in health and safety matters at the workplace, as well as guidance on resolving health and safety issues.
/doc/worker-representation-and-participation-guide

This model Code of Practice guides you on working in a confined space.

Use this Code of Practice if you:

/doc/model-code-practice-confined-spaces

This model Code of Practice has been developed to provide practical guidance for persons who have duties to manage risks to health and safety under the WHS Act and Regulations applying in a jurisdiction.

/doc/model-code-practice-how-manage-work-health-and-safety-risks

This model Code of Practice provides guidance on managing the risk of a falls by a person from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury. 

/doc/model-code-practice-managing-risk-falls-workplaces

Use this model Code of Practice to protect workers from the effects of noise at work.

If you have a noisy workplace, this document guides you on:

/doc/model-code-practice-managing-noise-and-preventing-hearing-loss-work

This model Code of Practice sets out the requirements for how to manage and control asbestos in all workplaces, including when working in residential premises.

This Code is for:

/doc/model-code-practice-how-manage-and-control-asbestos-workplace

If you’re a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), this model Code of Practice provides practical guidance on how to effectively consult with workers about work health and safety and meet your duties under the work health and safety (WHS) Act.  

/doc/model-code-practice-work-health-and-safety-consultation-cooperation-and-coordination

This 2006 report is a literature-based review of: 

/doc/occupational-respiratory-diseases-australia-2006

About this seminar 

In this video, employers are challenged to reduce stigma and provide strong leadership on the issue of workplace mental health. They are also asked to consider how they would deal with a mental health crisis in their workplace. 

/resources-and-publications/video-and-audio/complex-mental-health-workplace

In this panel discussion, Lucinda Brogden, Carolyn Davis and Dr Peter Cotton put the spotlight on workplace mental health. Our expert panellists explore why a mentally healthy workplace is important, what it looks like, and what employers can do in the context of their business.

/resources-and-publications/video-and-audio/facts-and-fallacies-behind-mentally-healthy-workplaces

In this seminar, Dr Carmel Harrington and Professor Drew Dawson examine why fatigue management is important from both a worker and a business perspective and what businesses and workers can do to manage the risks caused by fatigue in the workplace.

/resources-and-publications/video-and-audio/work-related-fatigue-and-job-design

Introduced by SafeWork SA’s Bryan Russell, this video outlines the ‘Seven Steps for Small Business’ approach from the South Australian work health and safety regulator.

/resources-and-publications/video-and-audio/seven-steps-small-business

Our panellists suggest practical ways to use supply chains to protect the health and safety of workers, emphasising the importance of consultation and cooperation.

/resources-and-publications/video-and-audio/power-cooperation-supply-chains-and-workers-health-and-safety

Watch this video to see two young workers going about their day’s work, and how their interactions with their supervisors can have such an effect on the outcome – for good or bad.

/resources-and-publications/video-and-audio/right-start-building-safe-work-young-workers