Australian WHS law does not contain a single “mandatory training list.” Instead, businesses must identify the training their workers need by considering the risks associated with the work. Therefore, businesses can get caught out when they rely on a universal checklist.
Under WHS legislation, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must give workers the information, training, instruction and supervision they need to work safely. The key word is necessary. Therefore, training becomes mandatory when controlling a risk requires it.
In practice, businesses must provide WHS training when:
A worker is new to a role or workplace
The business introduces new hazards, equipment or substances
A task involves a risk that other controls cannot adequately address without training
Legislation, a Code of Practice or a regulator specifically requires it
For example, if workers face a risk of harm without training, the business must provide that training.
WHS induction training
Manual handling training
Hazard and incident reporting
Emergency procedures
PPE use and limitations
Task-specific training (e.g. chemicals, plant or working at heights)
Ultimately, the test is simple:
If a workers could be harmed without training, then training is mandatory.
WHS Training Requirements for Small Businesses
Small businesses often believe that WHS training only applies to “big companies.” However, that assumption is wrong, and regulators will not accept it as an excuse.
In Australia, WHS duties apply regardless of business size. A business with one worker carries the same primary duty of care as a business with a thousand employees. However, the scale and complexity of its training needs will differ.
For small businesses, WHS should focus on:
having a Basic WHS induction
focusing on the specific hazards involved in the work
Using safe work procedures for common tasks
Teaching workers how to report hazards and incidents
Preparing workers for Emergency situations
Training does not need to be excessive, expensive or overly technical. Instead, it needs to be:
relevant to the work
easy to understand
current
supported by appropriate records
Consequently, small businesses cannot rely on their size as an excuse for failing to train workers about obvious risks.
When a business provides simple, properly targeted training, it supports compliance without making the process unnecessarily complicated.
Australian WHS law does not contain a single “mandatory training list.” Instead, businesses must identify the training their workers need by considering the risks associated with the work. Therefore, businesses can get caught out when they rely on a universal checklist.
Under WHS legislation, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must give workers the information, training, instruction and supervision they need to work safely. The key word is necessary. Therefore, training becomes mandatory when controlling a risk requires it.
In practice, businesses must provide WHS training when:
