Below is your comprehensive update on Australian WHS developments over the past week. This longer format is intended to provide more context, insight, and actionable takeaways. Use it for team briefings, board reports or safety committee reviews.
Model WHS laws expanded for incident notification – 5 Dec 2025
Safe Work Australia published amendments to the model WHS Act and Regulations after approval by WHS ministers. The changes broaden what must be notified to regulators: violent incidents (including sexual assaults), work-related suicide attempts, extended worker absences (15+ days), and certain mobile plant incidents are now notifiable. (Crane licence rules and PPE provisions were also updated.)
🔗 Source: Safe Work Australia news safeworkaustralia.gov.au
Implication / who it affects: All businesses in jurisdictions that adopt these changes, especially those in high-risk sectors will face new reporting duties.
Action: Begin updating your incident reporting procedures and training to capture the new categories, and stay tuned for each state’s adoption timeline.
Holiday season warning on harassment & violence – 4 Dec 2025
In a joint statement, the Australian Human Rights Commission and Safe Work Australia urged business leaders to protect workers from sexual harassment and aggressive customers during the busy Christmas period. They emphasised the new “positive duty” under federal law to prevent harassment and reminded employers of WHS obligations to eliminate or minimise this risk.
🔗 Source: AHRC & Safe Work Australia media release safeworkaustralia.gov.au
Implication / who it affects: Retail, hospitality and customer facing sectors can expect increased scrutiny on how they manage customer aggression and sexual harassment.
Action: Proactively roster sufficient staff for peak trading, reinforce zero-tolerance policies for harassment, and ensure reporting/support systems are in place for workers who experience abusive behavior.
New annual WHS research publication – 2 Dec 2025
Safe Work Australia released “Evidence Matters,” a comprehensive annual report showcasing key WHS research, data and progress. The first edition reflects on initiatives from 2025, including a new Research Strategy and WHS data improvements and outlines a 2026 focus on stronger research partnerships and the upcoming model laws review.
🔗 Source: Safe Work Australia news safeworkaustralia.gov.au
Implication / who it affects: WHS professionals and policy makers gain insight into national injury trends and emerging risk areas (e.g. gig economy, occupational disease). Businesses can anticipate evidence based shifts in regulators’ priorities.
Action: Review Evidence Matters for data relevant to your industry and use it to inform your 2026 safety planning (e.g. if the report highlights trucking or silica risks, benchmark your controls accordingly).
Psychological health regulations now in force – 1 Dec 2025
Victoria’s new OHS (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 commenced, creating specific duties for employers to manage psychosocial hazards. Just like physical risks, employers must identify workplace psychosocial hazards (e.g. bullying, sexual harassment, aggression, trauma), take reasonably practicable steps to eliminate or control them, and review controls regularly. A Compliance Code has been published to guide businesses on examples of risks and controls. WorkSafe Victoria has given an initial education period but expects compliance from day one.
🔗 Source: WorkSafe Victoria news worksafe.vic.gov.au
Action: Ensure your workplace has assessed risks like workload, bullying, violence and sexual harassment. Implement and document control measures (policies, training, reporting systems, staffing levels) and consult workers. Use the new Compliance Code for practical guidance and be prepared for WorkSafe inspectors to inquire about your mental health risk management.
Fall injury fine tripled on appeal – 2 Dec 2025
A bricklaying company’s fine for a serious fall incident was increased to $110,000 after a Court of Appeal decision. Originally fined ~$32,000 for a worker’s 2+ metre fall from an unsafe scaffold at a residential site, the company faced a successful appeal by Victorian prosecutors resulting in a more than threefold penalty. The court’s message: initial penalties deemed too low will be revisited to ensure they reflect the severity of risk.
🔗 Source: WorkSafe Victoria news worksafe.vic.gov.au
Action: Never consider early fines “the cost of doing business.” Invest in fall prevention (scaffold edge protection, training and supervision) now, not just to avoid fines, but to prevent life altering injuries. WorkSafe is clearly willing to pursue higher penalties for fall failures.
Food manufacturer charged after machine injury – 3 Dec 2025
WorkSafe Victoria charged a Melbourne frozen food company following a gruesome machinery accident. A factory worker’s finger was lacerated in October 2024 when it got caught in an inadequately guarded dough mixing machine. The incident has led to two charges under the OHS Act for failing to provide a safe system of work.
🔗 Source: WorkSafe Victoria news worksafe.vic.gov.au
Action: Audit all machinery this quarter. Ensure guards, interlocks and emergency stops are present and functional on mixers, conveyors, cutters, etc. Verify that lockout/tagout procedures are enforced during cleaning and maintenance. A single missing guard can not only injure a worker but land a company in court.
Manufacturer charged over fatal falling object – 4 Dec 2025
WorkSafe laid charges against a concrete pole manufacturer after a worker was killed by a falling metal bucket at its Werribee facility. The September 2024 fatality occurred when a suspended concrete mixing bucket fell and struck the worker. The employer faces allegations of failing to maintain plant and failing to train/supervise, among other breaches. A court date is set in the coming weeks.
🔗 Source: WorkSafe Victoria news worksafe.vic.gov.au
Action: If your operations involve cranes, hoists, or lifting attachments, conduct an immediate risk review. Ensure all lifting devices are properly rated, inspected and used by competent workers. Establish exclusion zones under suspended loads and ingrain the rule that no one ever works beneath a raised load. Vigilance in these practices is literally life-saving.
Company director fined $101,250 for fall hazard – 2 Dec 2025
In a landmark case for officer liability, a NSW company director was convicted and personally fined $101,250 over a 2022 incident where a worker fell ~3 metres from a roof during solar panel installation. The director (a sole director of the company) pleaded guilty to failing his due diligence duty as an officer, after investigators found inadequate fall protection. This is one of the highest individual fines for a safety breach in NSW to date.
🔗 Source: NSW District Court sentencing via media miragenews.com
Action: Directors and executives must actively verify that fall risks are controlled on the ground. Regularly check that working-at-heights training, scaffolds, harness systems and supervision are in place on your sites. Document these efforts, under WHS law, “I wasn’t aware” is no defence for officers. This case shows courts will impose heavy personal penalties when due diligence lapses.
Statewide blitz uncovers widespread safety breaches – November 2025 (announced)
SafeWork NSW’s largest compliance blitz on record saw 736 non compliance notices issued to 261 employers across construction, manufacturing, healthcare, retail and more. Over a 3-day surprise inspection campaign during Safe Work Month, 209 notices were for working at heights failures and 175 for unsafe mobile plant or machinery practices. Inspectors also engaged businesses in discussions about managing psychosocial hazards like stress and aggression. Ten on the spot fines totaling $63,300 were issued, half related to fall risks The government has signaled more strong enforcement to come.
🔗 Source: NSW Minister’s media nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases
Action: Treat this as a warning shot: if you operate in NSW, immediately rectify common problem areas, secure all edges above 2m with guardrails or harness systems, ensure plant operators are licensed and machinery is properly guarded, and refresh your traffic management plans. Also use this time to consult with workers on any psychosocial issues and document controls (e.g. bullying training, customer aggression procedures) as SafeWork is now looking at those too. This blitz shows the regulator’s priorities, so align your safety checks accordingly.
Welding fume exposure limit slashed 5× – 2 Dec 2025
Queensland adopted a significantly tighter Workplace Exposure Standard for aluminium welding fumes, cutting the limit from 5 mg/m³ down to 1 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA). This change aligns with national guidance equating aluminium welding fume to general welding fume toxicity. It is effective immediately. WHS Queensland advises all PCBUs in fabrication, ship-building, rail and similar sectors to ensure controls meet the new limit. This may require improved local exhaust ventilation, fume extraction guns, and upgraded respirators for welders.
🔗 Source: Workplace Health & Safety Qld update worksafe.qld.gov.au
Action: Review your welding operations now. Conduct air monitoring if you haven’t recently to check actual fume concentrations. Optimise ventilation systems at welding bays, enforce the use of fume extraction and appropriate respiratory protection, and consider rotating or automating welding tasks to reduce personal exposure. Engage an occupational hygienist for guidance, the new limit is stringent, and compliance will likely require enhanced engineering controls.
(No other major Queensland-specific developments were reported this week. Continue to monitor WorkSafe Queensland’s alerts for any emerging issues.)
Grace period ending for crane licence requirement – 10 Dec 2025
WorkSafe WA’s transitional “regulatory intent” period for new crane licensing rules concludes on 10 December. Since August, WA regulations have required a High Risk Work Licence (CN or C2 class) for using earthmoving machinery (≥3 tonne) as a crane, e.g. using an excavator, telehandler or loader to suspend loads. Regulators gave industry four months to comply, which is now up. From next week, enforcement of this licence requirement will begin in earnest.
🔗 Source: WorkSafe WA notice worksafe.wa.gov.au
Action: If you operate backhoes, skid-steers, loaders, etc. to lift or shift suspended loads in WA, ensure the operators now hold the proper HRW licence for cranes. Contact Registered Training Organisations to get any unlicensed operators trained and assessed for the CN (non-slewing crane) or C2 (slewing crane up to 20t) ticket as required. Also review your procedures: using earthmoving gear as an improvised crane without a licensed operator could attract fines or prohibition notices going forward.
(No other significant WA updates this week. WorkSafe WA is continuing its investigation into asbestos found in imported children’s sand products wa.gov.au, and we expect further guidance as more information becomes available.)
Height threshold for “high risk” work lowered to 2m – 4 Dec 2025
New regulations in SA will improve construction safety by redefining “high risk construction work” as involving a risk of falling over 2 metres (previously 3m). This brings SA into line with the model WHS Regulations and other states. Practically, it means tasks planned at heights between 2m and 3m, which accounted for over two thirds of SA’s recorded serious falls, will now require formal Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and specific controls, whereas before they may not have. The change has been approved and will take effect shortly.
🔗 Source: SafeWork SA announcement safework.sa.gov.au
Action: Adjust your work procedures and documentation for SA projects: any job with potential falls above 2m must be treated as high-risk construction work. Ensure SWMS are developed for these tasks (e.g. roof work, mezzanine installations, etc.), and implement edge protection, fall restraint systems or spotters as needed. Communicate the new 2m rule to site supervisors and contractors so no work at heights slips through unplanned.
(No material updates from WorkSafe Tasmania this week, the regulator’s latest guidance and alerts can be found on its website. We continue to monitor Tasmanian legislative developments (e.g. recent amendments on hazardous manual tasks) for any actionable changes.)
Council charged over toddler’s drowning death – 28 Nov 2025
NT WorkSafe has charged a local government council following an investigation into the December 2020 drowning of a toddler in a public pool facility. The charges laid just last week allege the council failed in its duty to provide a safe environment, after a 3y ear old wandered into an unsecured water body and tragically drowned. This prosecution underscores that municipal bodies can be held accountable under WHS laws for public safety failings. (The matter is now before the courts; the council’s name has been published in NT media reports.)
🔗 Source: NT WorkSafe media release worksafe.nt.gov.au
Action: If you manage any public access facilities (pools, parks, schools, etc.), treat child safety and public risk with the same rigor as workplace safety. Ensure fencing, gates and surveillance systems around water hazards are robust and compliant with all standards. Conduct a fresh risk assessment of any public areas under your control, identify what could harm an unsupervised child or vulnerable person, and urgently fix or lock it down. This case is a reminder that “someone else’s job” (like pool safety) is still your responsibility if it’s under your organisation’s management.
(No other NT-specific alerts this week. National Asbestos Awareness Week was marked in the NT on 24 Nov, and air testing at schools affected by the recent sand recall found no airborne asbestos.)
(No significant developments reported in the ACT this week. WorkSafe ACT continues its enforcement campaigns initiated earlier in 2025, over $1 million in fines have been imposed since new sentencing laws kicked in. ACT businesses should ensure compliance with the stringent WHS framework, including the recently introduced industrial manslaughter provisions. For any ACT-specific guidance, refer to WorkSafe ACT’s official updates worksafe.act.gov.au.)
AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 – Updated height safety equipment standard
A revised standard for selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection gear (harnesses, lanyards, anchors, etc.) has been released. AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 modernises requirements for managing harness based work at height systems, incorporating lessons from the past decade of incidents. This goes hand in hand with an update to AS 5532:2025 (expected soon) covering anchor point strength.
🔗 Reference: Standards Australia spotlight standards.org.au
Action: Check your fall protection equipment inspection regime and training against the new standard. Ensure all harness gear is used within the updated guidelines, for example, adherence to any new anchor certification criteria and ensuring workers use compatible components as specified. Manufacturers and suppliers should start providing gear compliant with AS/NZS 1891.4:2025; confirm any new purchases meet this latest spec.
AS/NZS 4024.3612:2025 – New machinery safety standard (Conveyors)
A new standard for conveyor safety has been adopted, aligning with European standard EN 619:2022. AS/NZS 4024.3612:2025 provides up to date requirements on conveyor design, guarding, emergency stops, and safe usage as part of the broader machinery safety series. This aims to reduce entanglement and crushing injuries on conveyor systems, which remain a significant source of serious incidents.
🔗 Reference: Standards Australia / Intertek info intertekinform.com
Action: If you have conveyor systems (in manufacturing, mining, logistics, etc.), review them against the new standard. Engage an engineer to assess whether guarding and interlock systems meet the latest best practices. Upgrading to compliant emergency stop controls and nip point guards can not only meet the standard but also prevent catastrophic injuries. Plan for these improvements in your maintenance or capital works budget.
(No new adoptions this week; monitoring the following projects…
– Draft Model Code: Managing Fatigue Risks – Safe Work Australia is developing a national code of practice on fatigue risk management. Once finalised, this will provide clearer guidance (and expectations) on controlling work related fatigue in all industries (e.g. shift work scheduling, maximum hours, break regimes).
– Engineered Stone ban & standards – Regulators are reviewing the early outcomes of the engineered stone import & fabrication ban (in effect since 1 July 2024). Additional guidance or standards on silica dust control (e.g. an Australian version of ISO 23875 for cabins, or updates to wet-cutting requirements) may emerge as jurisdictions prepare for the full ban implementation by mid-2024.
(We will keep an eye on these and other open consultations, so you can anticipate upcoming changes.)
Asbestos in imported products: Ongoing recalls of consumer goods due to asbestos contamination (e.g. children’s coloured play sand) are a stark reminder to vet your supply chains. Expect regulators to increase scrutiny of imported materials, ensure any products you import or use (brake components, gaskets, talc-containing items, etc.) come with declarations of being asbestos-free.
Heat and extreme weather: Summer has arrived with early season hazards, the NT issued cyclone alerts in November worksafe.nt.gov.au and southern states are bracing for heatwaves. Plan now for hot conditions and storms: activate heat illness prevention plans (extra breaks, hydration, shade) and secure loose materials on sites that could be hit by severe weather.
Psychosocial safety focus: All jurisdictions are ramping up action on mental health risks at work. A federal Code of Practice on managing psychosocial hazards is in place for Commonwealth workplaces comcare.gov.au, and states like VIC and NSW have new regulations. Regulators are actively investigating issues like workplace bullying, overwork, and harassment. Treat psychosocial risk assessments and controls as a priority going into 2026, they are now core WHS compliance matters, not optional wellness initiatives.
Revise incident reporting procedures – Incorporate the new notifiable incidents (violent acts, 15+ day absences, etc.) into your internal incident reporting and escalation process. Brief supervisors that, for example, a serious violent altercation or an employee suicide attempt related to work must now be reported to the regulator (once your state adopts the model changes) safeworkaustralia.gov.au. Start capturing these in your incident log even if local law hasn’t changed yet, get ahead of the curve.
Reinforce harassment prevention and support – In light of the holiday season warning safeworkaustralia.gov.au, hold a pre Christmas all hands meeting (or toolbox talk for frontline teams) on dealing with aggressive customers and respecting colleagues. Ensure your managers know how to respond if workers report customer abuse (e.g. when to involve security or police). Consider assigning extra staff during peak times to reduce stress, and remind everyone of EAP resources. A safe, respectful workplace is a legal obligation year round, make it clear from the top.
Audit fall from height controls – With both new regulations (SA’s 2m rulesafework.sa.gov.au) and recent prosecutions emphasising fall risks miragenews.com worksafe.vic.gov.au, now is the time to do a thorough audit. Check every site: Are ladders, scaffolds, roof work and mezzanine edges properly controlled? Do workers have fall PPE where needed and has it been inspected? Fix any gaps before an inspector or incident forces your hand. And if you operate in SA, immediately update SWMS and work methods to cover 2–3m work.
Verify qualifications and licences – Avoid complacency with training and tickets, especially for high-risk tasks. The WA example of requiring crane licences for earthmoving equipment usage highlights how quickly you need to adapt worksafe.wa.gov.au. Ensure your operator training matrix is up to date: forklift drivers, crane/hoist operators, boom lift operators, etc. should all have current licences or certifications. It’s cheaper and safer to get workers properly trained than to face a fine (or worse, an incident) for unqualified operation.
Refresh safety training for new standards & seasonal risks – Take the opportunity to brief your team on any new Australian Standards relevant to your work. For instance, if you have warehouse order pickers or cherry pickers, inform your maintenance crews about the updated MEWP standard and any new checks it entails. Similarly, remind staff of summer-specific procedures: working in heat (use that Sunscreen/hat/PPE and know heat stress signs), storm preparedness (equipment tie-down, electrical safety in floods), and keeping an eye on each other’s wellbeing during the year end rush.
Please let us know if you have any questions or need further detail on any item. Stay safe and enjoy the holiday season!
Compiled by: Work Safety Hub – Helping organisations build safer, stronger workplaces.
🔗 worksafetyhub.com.au