RESOURCES

National

Good to know: Safe Work Australia develops the model WHS laws and codes, but it doesn’t enforce them. Your state or territory regulator does (or Comcare for Commonwealth workplaces). Victoria hasn’t adopted the model laws.

• Safe Work Australia

  National policy body that develops the model WHS laws, codes and guidance. It is not a regulator.

• Model WHS laws (Safe Work Australia)

  Plain explanation of the model Act, Regulations and Codes and how each jurisdiction has adopted them.

• Model Codes of Practice index

  Full list of model Codes, from construction and falls to noise, silica and harassment. Each state decides which ones apply.

• WHS legislation in each jurisdiction (Safe Work Australia)

  Quick guide to which WHS laws apply in each state and territory.

• WHS regulators contact list (Safe Work Australia)

  One page with every regulator's contact details.

  Handy, but some WA details on that page are out of date. For WA, use WorkSafe WA below.

• Resources and publications (Safe Work Australia)

  Guides, fact sheets, videos and reports on almost every WHS topic.

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) - Federal Register of Legislation

  Official current text of the Commonwealth WHS Act.

• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) - Federal Register of Legislation

  Official current text of the Commonwealth WHS Regulations.

• Comcare

  WHS regulator and compensation scheme for Commonwealth agencies and some large national employers.

  Phone: 1300 366 979 Incident notification: online form, notify@comcare.gov.au, or phone.

  How to notify

• Seacare Authority

  National safety and compensation scheme for some seafarers on interstate and international voyages.

  Phone: (02) 6275 0070 General enquiries, not an incident line

• National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030

  National plan to help injured workers recover and get back to work.

States & Territories

Notification numbers are for reporting deaths, serious injuries or illnesses, and dangerous incidents. Tap a number to call.

Mining & Specialist

Mines, quarries and petroleum sites in NSW and Queensland have their own regulators. In WA, WorkSafe WA covers mining and petroleum (see the WA card above).

• NSW Resources Regulator

  WHS regulator for mines, quarries and petroleum sites in NSW.

  Phone: 1300 814 609 24/7. Call immediately for a death, serious injury or illness, or dangerous incident, then log details in the NSW Resources Portal.

  How to notify

• Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ)

  Regulator for mining, quarrying, petroleum, gas and explosives in Queensland.

  Phone: 1300 312 339 Incident reporting hotline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Also email Incidents@rshq.qld.gov.au or online via the RSHQ Portal.

  How to notify

• Safe Work Australia - Data and research

  National statistics on work injuries, diseases and compensation claims.

• Safe Work Australia - Work-related fatalities

  Latest figures on people killed at work, by industry and cause.

• Psychosocial hazards (Safe Work Australia)

  Guidance on stress, bullying, harassment, fatigue and other mental health risks at work.

• Model Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work (2022)

  The national model code for managing psychosocial risks.

• WA Code: Psychosocial hazards in the workplace (2022)

  WA's own code for psychosocial hazards.

  Also see: worksafe.wa.gov.au

• Silica and the engineered stone ban (Safe Work Australia)

  Silica dust risks, plus the national ban on engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs from 1 July 2024.

  Also see: worksafe.wa.gov.au

  Historical note: in WA, installing engineered stone under a contract entered into on or before 31 December 2023 was allowed until 31 December 2024 (Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WA) r 735). That exception has ended.

• Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA)

  National agency working to get rid of asbestos and reduce silica-related disease.

• ARPANSA - UV Index

  Live UV levels for Australian cities, which helps with planning sun protection for outdoor work.

  Also see: arpansa.gov.au

• NOPSEMA

  Safety and environmental regulator for offshore oil and gas in Commonwealth waters.

  Phone: 1300 674 472 Dedicated incident notification line.

  How to notify

• ONRSR (Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator)

  National rail safety regulator.

• NHVR (National Heavy Vehicle Regulator)

  Regulator for trucks and heavy vehicles, including fatigue and chain of responsibility.

• CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority)

  Australia's aviation safety regulator.

• AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority)

  National regulator for maritime safety and commercial vessels.

• Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner

  Runs the WHS Accreditation Scheme for Australian Government-funded building work.

• Standards Australia

  Develops Australian Standards. Some are referenced in WHS laws and codes. Most cost money to buy, but some regulators lend them (for example, the SafeWork SA library).

Global

Useful background for anyone, anywhere. Always follow the law where you work.

• ILO - Safety and health at work

  The UN labour agency's hub for international OSH standards and data.

• WHO - Occupational health

  World Health Organization overview of health risks at work.

• UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

  Britain's regulator, with very practical free guidance.

• US OSHA

  The US federal workplace safety regulator.

• EU-OSHA

  The European Union's agency for safety and health at work.

• WorkSafe New Zealand

  New Zealand's main health and safety regulator.

• ISO 45001 (a standard, not a law)

  International standard for occupational health and safety management systems. It’s voluntary and paid. A revision is in progress.