Model Workplace Health and Safety Laws

11 March 2010
Posted in Occupational Health and Safety

Different occupational health and safety (OHS) laws are currently in place in each State and Territory in Australia. As part of developing a seamless national economy and reforming OHS, the federal government has, with the cooperation of each of the States and Territories, initiated the process of “harmonising” OHS laws. Once the harmonisation process is complete, there will be uniform OHS laws throughout Australia.

During 2008 and early 2009, a review of OHS laws throughout Australia was conducted, resulting in two reports with recommendations on the optimal structure and content of uniform OHS laws.  Draft legislation was prepared and released for public comment during the second half of 2009.

On 11 December 2009, the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) agreed to the Model Work Health and Safety Bill. It is intended that this model legislation will be enacted by the Commonwealth and each of the States and Territories and commence operation on 1 January 2012.

Before the harmonisation process is complete, the remaining tasks include:

• Draft model Workplace Health and Safety regulations and codes of practice to be prepared (WHS Regulations Package) and released for public comment;
• WHS Regulations Package to be approved by the WRMC.

Employers and other interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on the WHS Regulations Package before it is finalised.