What are the Workplace Health and Safety Codes of Practice?

Australian Safety Codes of Practice are guidance documents that provide real-world, practical information on how to comply with the Workplace Health and Safety Act and Regulations. They are managed by the State Workplace Health and Safety Regulator (different authority in each state) and can be industry-specific, activity-specific, or more general in nature so applicable to all industries (eg How to manage Workplace Health & Safety Risks).

How do they work?

Model Safety Codes or Practice are developed by Safe Work Australia and then adopted by the State Workplace Health and Safety Regulators in each of the states/territories. This means that the Codes of Practice may differ between the states, and national companies must understand the requirements within each state.

How do you stay current with the latest updates?

The state regulators are constantly adopting new Codes of Practice, updating existing ones and repealing outdated/superseded codes. Keeping up to speed with the latest codes can be onerous, so we recommend subscribing to email alert/update services that most of the regulators provide. This means that when there are changes to the codes you will be alerted, and can then review the changes to requirements, identify the implications to your organisation and set up an adoption strategy if required.

If you need assistance with your ISO45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management System and compliance with the Safety Codes of Practice then we can help – complete the Quick Quote form to the right and one of our consultants will contact you within one business day. Alternatively, you are welcome to contact us directly on 1800 676 910 or by emailing [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you may have.

Links to Codes of Practice

Below are links to the workplace health and safety codes of practice, including Safe Work Australia and the various State Regulators. Note that this listing is a guide and you should always check the regulator website (also provided) to ensure you have the latest version of the codes (this page may not always reflect the most current version and we take no liability for the information listed here). Feel free to contact us if any of these codes are out of date or if any of the links do not work so we can update accordingly.

Model Codes of Practice: Published by Safe Work Australia

• Model Code of Practice: Abrasive blasting 25 May 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Confined spaces 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Construction work 25 May 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Demolition work 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Excavation work 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace 25 May 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks 25 May 2018
• Model Code of Practice: How to safely remove asbestos 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Managing risks in stevedoring 2 Dec 2016
• Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace 25 May 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace 25 May 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls in housing construction 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities 25 May 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals  25 May 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Safe design of structures 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Spray painting and powder coating 26 Oct 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Welding processes 25 May 2018
• Model Code of Practice: Work health and safety consultation, cooperation and coordination 25 May 2018

Queensland Workplace Health & Safety Codes of Practice

• Abrasive blasting Code of Practice 2013 1 July 2018
• Cane rail safety – a supplement to the sugar industry Code of Practice 2005 1 July 2018
• Cash in transit Code of Practice 2011 1 July 2018
• Children and young workers Code of Practice 2006 1 July 2018
• Concrete pumping Code of Practice 2005 1 July 2018
• Confined spaces Code of Practice 2011 1 July 2018
• Construction and operation of solar farms Code of Practice 2019 
• Demolition work Code of Practice 2013 1 July 2018
• Electrical safety Code of Practice 2010 – Electrical equipment rural industry 1 January 2014
• Electrical safety Code of Practice 2010 – Working near overhead and underground electric lines 1 January 2014
• Electrical safety Code of Practice 2010 – Works 1 January 2014
• Electrical safety Code of Practice 2013 – Managing electrical risks in the workplace 1 January 2014
• Excavation work Code of Practice 2013 1 July 2018
• First aid in the workplace Code of Practice 2014 1 July 2018
• Forest harvesting Code of Practice 2007 1 July 2018
• Formwork Code of Practice 2016 1 July 2018
• Foundry industry Code of Practice 2004 1 July 2018
• Hazardous manual tasks Code of Practice 2011 1 July 2018
• Horse riding schools, trail riding establishments and horse hiring establishments Code of Practice 2002 1 July 2018
• How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace Code of Practice 2011 1 July 2018
• How to manage work health and safety risks Code of Practice 2011 1 July 2018
• How to safely remove asbestos Code of Practice 2011 1 July 2018
• Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals Code of Practice 2011 1 July 2018
• Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice 2011 1 July 2018
• Managing respirable dust hazards in coal-fired power stations Code of Practice 2018 3 December 2018
• Managing risks in stevedoring Code of Practice 2018 29 March 2018
• Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace Code of Practice 2013 1 July 2018
• Managing risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice 2013 1 July 2018
• Managing the risk of falls at workplaces Code of Practice 2018 1 July 2018
• Managing the work environment and facilities Code of Practice 2011 1 July 2018
• Manual tasks involving the handling of people Code of Practice 2001 1 July 2018
• Medical assessment tribunals Code of Practice
• Mobile crane Code of Practice 2006 1 July 2018
• Occupational diving work Code of Practice 2005 1 July 2018
• Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals Code of Practice 2011 1 July 2018
• Recreational diving, recreational technical diving and snorkelling Code of Practice 2018 8 February 2018
• Recreational diving, recreational technical diving and snorkelling Code of Practice 2018 comparison table
• Rural plant Code of Practice 2004 1 July 2018
• Safe design and operation of tractors Code of Practice 2005 1 July 2018
• Safe design of structures Code of Practice 2013 1 July 2018
• Scaffolding Code of Practice 2009 1 July 2018
• Spray painting and powder coating Code of Practice 2013 1 July 2018
• Steel construction Code of Practice 2004 1 July 2018
• Sugar industry Code of Practice 2005 1 July 2018
• Sugar mill safety – supplement to the sugar industry Code of Practice 2005 1 July 2018
• Tilt-up and pre-cast construction Code of Practice 2003 1 July 2018
• Tower crane Code of Practice 2017 1 July 2018
• Traffic management for construction or maintenance work Code of Practice 2008 1 July 2018
• Welding processes Code of Practice 2013 1 July 2018
• Work health and safety consultation, co-operation and co-ordination Code of Practice 2011 1 July 2018

NSW Safe Work Codes of Practice

• Abrasive blasting July 2014
• Confined spaces December 2011
• Construction work July 2014
• Demolition work September 2016
• Excavation work July 2015
• First aid in the workplace July 2015
• Hazardous manual tasks September 2016
• How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace September 2016
• How to manage work health and safety risks  December 2011
• How to safely remove asbestos September 2016
• Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals  April 2016
• Managing electrical risks  September 2016
• Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work  April 2016
• Managing the risk of falls at workplaces  April 2016
• Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace  July 2014
• Managing the risks of plant in the workplace  July 2014
• Managing risks in stevedoring December 2017
• Managing risks when new and inexperienced persons interact with horses February 2017
• Managing the work environment and facilities December 2011
• Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals December 2011
• Preventing falls in housing construction  July 2014
• Safe design of structures  July 2014
• Spray painting and powder coating  July 2015
• Welding processes  September 2016
• Work health and safety consultation, cooperation and coordination  December 2011

Tasmania Worksafe Codes of Practice

• Abrasive Blasting
• Confined Spaces
• Construction Work
• Demolition Work
• Excavation Work
• First Aid in the Workplace
• Forest Safety Code (Tasmania)
• Hazardous Manual Tasks
• How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• How to Safely Remove Asbestos
• Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals
• Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work
• Managing Risks in Stevedoring
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals
• Preventing Falls in Housing Construction
• Risk Management of Agricultural Shows and Carnivals
• Safe Design of Structures
• Safe Use of Reinforced Plastics
• Spray Painting and Powder Coating
• Tasmanian Abalone Industry
• Welding Processes
• Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination

WorkSafe Victoria Compliance Codes / Codes of Practice

• Compliance code: Communicating occupational health and safety across languages Sep 2008
• Compliance code: Confined spaces Mar 2018
• Compliance code: Demolition May 2018
• Compliance code: Excavation May 2018
• Compliance code: Facilities in construction Mar 2018
• Compliance code: First aid in the workplace Sep 2008
• Compliance code: Foundries Sep 2008
• Compliance code: Hazardous manual handling Mar 2018
• Compliance code: Hazardous substances Jul 2018
• Compliance code: Managing asbestos in workplaces Oct 2018
• Compliance code: Noise Mar 2018
• Compliance code: Plant Mar 2018
• Compliance code: Prevention of falls in general construction Oct 2018
• Compliance code: Prevention of falls in housing construction Oct 2018
• Compliance code: Removing asbestos in workplaces Oct 2018
• Compliance code: Workplace amenities and work environment Sep 2008
• Code of practice: Lead Jun 2000
• Code of practice: The storage and handling of dangerous goods Sep 2013