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What is WHS?

Australian Work Place Health and Safety Harmonisation
Australia work health and safety harmonsiation pic

The harmonisation of the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws is part of the Council of Australian Governments’ National Reform Agenda aimed at reducing the regulatory burden and creating a seamless economy.

With Australia coming to grips with having a single harmonised health and safety act and Regulation, it is important for all states and territories to understand the differences in the new Laws in place (or coming into) compared to the old Laws of each state and territory. Click the links below to view The WHS Act and Regulation guide and explanatory documents provided by Work Safe Australia.  

 

 

 

National Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations, Are you ready?

The WHS Act and WHS Regulations came into effect on 1 January 2012 with New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, the Commonwealth and the Northern Territory taking them on. The WHS laws have passed in Tasmania and South Australia with a commencement date of 1 January 2013.

Since 2008 Australian Governments formally committed to the harmonisation of Work Health and Safety laws in Australia by finalising the Intergovernmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety (IGA).

Safe Work Australia is the national policy body responsible for the development and evaluation of the model Work Health and Safety Laws. However, the Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for enforcing the Work Health and Safety Laws in their jurisdictions.

Juristiction WHS Legislation in place WHS Legislation passed WHS Legislation not yet passed Notes

Commonwealth

YES

    Commenced 1 January 2012
ACT YES     Commenced 1 January 2012
NSW YES     Commenced 1 January 2012
NT YES     Commenced 1 January 2012
QLD YES     Commenced 1 January 2012
SA YES
  Commenced 1 January 2013
TAS YES
  Commenced 1 January 2013
VIC     YES The Victorian Government announced it would delay harmonisation
WA     YES WorkSafe WA has engaged Marsden Jacob Associates to facilitate public comment on the model Work Health and Safety Legislation for WA.