Workplace health and safety (WHS) laws
New work health and safety (WHS) laws commenced on 1 January 2012 in many states and territories to harmonise occupational health and safety (OH&S) laws across Australia.
WHS legislation includes a model WHS Act, regulations, Codes of Practice and a national compliance and enforcement policy. The model WHS Act is not significantly different from previous occupational health & safety (OH&S) laws, but make it easier for businesses and workers to comply with their requirements across different states and territories.
Each state and territory is responsible for regulating and enforcing WHS laws. Safe Work Australia is the national body in charge of developing work health and safety and workers' compensation policy. Visit Safe Work Australia to read about the work health and safety laws External Site.
Comcare also assists at a national level in the education, assurance and enforcement of WHS legislation. Visit the Comcare website External Site for more information.
The following states and territories now use harmonised WHS legislation instead of previous OH&S laws:
Australian Capital Territory
The Commonwealth of Australia
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania