Australian WHS Legislative & Compliance Updates
KEEPING AUSTRALIAN WORKPLACES INFORMED
Know what's changing. Understand what it means for your workplace.
Australian WHS legislative updates can affect workplace requirements across Commonwealth, state and territory jurisdictions.
OSIAT monitors significant developments in WHS and OHS legislation, regulations, compliance codes, codes of practice and regulator guidance to help businesses identify changes that may affect their workplace — and their WHS training.
This resource provides a practical starting point for understanding what has changed, when it applies and what businesses may need to review.
Last Updated: 16th September 2026
Latest Australian WHS Legislative Updates
Significant Australian WHS and OHS developments that businesses should be aware of, including changes that may affect workplace training, induction, procedures and other safety information.
QUEENSLAND
Seven WHS Codes of Practice updated
Status: In effect
Commencement: 1st September 2026
Seven Queensland Codes of Practice have been updated to reflect legislative changes and national model WHS guidance. The Queensland regulator advises that the updates clarify existing requirements rather than introduce additional regulatory requirements.
What Changed?
Updates have been made to Codes covering psychosocial hazards, noise and hearing loss, WHS risk management, confined spaces, work environment and facilities, safe design of structures, and managing risks associated with plant.
The changes include updated references and alignment with legislative amendments and national model guidance, including requirements relating to psychosocial risks and sexual harassment.
Training impact
Training and document review recommended: Queensland businesses should check that applicable WHS procedures, risk assessments and training materials reference the current Codes of Practice. Particular attention should be given to psychosocial hazards, plant safety, noise and general WHS risk management training.
VICTORIA
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Review
Status: Review underway
Commencement: To be confirmed
WorkSafe Victoria is reviewing the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 and Equipment (Public Safety) Regulations 2017. The existing regulations continue to apply while the review is underway.
What Changed?
No replacement regulations have commenced at this stage.
The current Victorian OHS Regulations remain in force while the review progresses. WorkSafe Victoria has advised that stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide feedback as part of the review process.
Businesses should continue complying with the existing regulations and monitor the review rather than making changes based on proposals that have not yet become law.
Training impact
Monitor – no immediate training change required: Victorian employers should continue using current OHS requirements in workplace training and procedures. Training materials and compliance documentation should be reviewed when proposed replacement regulations are released and again when final requirements and commencement dates are confirmed.
VICTORIA
Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026
Status: Bill before Parliament – referred to Select Committee
Proposed commencement: Subject to passage of the Bill
The Bill has passed the Legislative Assembly. On 10 September 2026, the Legislative Council referred the Bill to a Select Committee for inquiry and report, with further consideration deferred until the Committee reports.
What Changed?
The Bill proposes to amend Victoria’s Equal Opportunity Act 2010 to establish a right for eligible employees to work from home for at least two days per week where it is reasonable for the work to be performed remotely.
The Bill passed the Legislative Assembly on 30 July 2026. Debate resumed in the Legislative Council on 10 September 2026, when amendments were circulated and the Council agreed to refer the Bill to a Select Committee.
The Select Committee is due to report by 20 October 2026. Further consideration of the Bill has been deferred until that report is presented.
Training impact
Monitor – no immediate training change required: The proposed right to work from home has not yet become law. Victorian employers should continue applying existing workplace arrangements and legal obligations while monitoring the Bill’s progress.
If the Bill passes, organisations may need to review flexible work policies, manager training, WFH assessment processes and WHS arrangements for employees working remotely.
AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL
New AI and Digital Technologies WHS Guidance
Status: New Safe Work Australia guidance published.
Published: 23 July 2026
What Changed?
Safe Work Australia has released new guidance on managing work health and safety risks associated with artificial intelligence and digital technologies. The guidance makes clear that AI and digital technologies can introduce or increase both physical and psychosocial risks, and these risks must be managed through the normal WHS risk management process.
Training impact
Training and policy review recommended: Businesses using or introducing AI and digital technologies should review relevant WHS risk assessments, consultation processes, policies, procedures and worker training. Safe Work Australia specifically identifies information, training, instruction and supervision as part of managing these risks.
AUSTRALIA - HEAVY VEHICLES
Amended Heavy Vehicle National Law Now in Effect
Status: In effect.
Commencement: 1 August 2026
What Changed?
Major amendments to the Heavy Vehicle National Law commenced on 1 August 2026. Changes include the introduction of the new Heavy Vehicle Accreditation scheme and Safety Management System requirements, revised audit arrangements, new Unfit to Drive provisions, changes to work diaries, and reforms affecting mass, dimension and loading requirements.
The NHVR has specifically urged operators, drivers and other parties in the supply chain to understand the changes and the actions they may need to take.
Training impact
Training and policy review recommended: Businesses using or introducing AI and digital technologies should review relevant WHS risk assessments, consultation processes, policies, procedures and worker training. Safe Work Australia specifically identifies information, training, instruction and supervision as part of managing these risks.
South Australia
High-Risk Construction Work - Fall Height threshold changed
Status: In effect.
Commencement: 1 July 2026
What Changed?
South Australia’s definition of high-risk construction work has changed for construction work involving a risk of a person falling. The previous threshold of more than three metres has been reduced to more than two metres, bringing South Australia into line with the national model WHS Regulations and other jurisdictions.
Training impact
Training, SWMS and procedure review recommended: Construction businesses operating in South Australia should review whether work previously outside the high-risk construction work definition is now captured by the two-metre threshold. Relevant safe work method statements, risk assessments, procedures, supervisor information and worker training should be reviewed where affected.
New South Wales
New Duty to comply with WHS Codes of Practice
Status: In effect.
Commencement: 1 July 2026
What Changed?
Changes to the NSW Work Health and Safety Act introduced a new duty concerning approved Codes of Practice. From 1 July 2026, PCBUs are expected to comply with applicable Codes of Practice or use another method that provides an equivalent or higher standard of health and safety.
Training impact
Training, procedures and risk controls should be reviewed: NSW businesses should identify the Codes of Practice relevant to their operations and check that existing procedures, risk controls, inductions and training reflect the applicable standards. Where a business uses an alternative approach, it should be capable of providing an equivalent or higher level of health and safety.
This one has a particularly strong training connection, because simply having old training material that mentions an outdated process or control could become much more problematic when the relevant Code now establishes the expected minimum performance standard.
Previous WHS Updates
Browse earlier Australian WHS and OHS legislative, regulatory, code and guidance developments identified by OSIAT.
