Safe design legislation

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Implementing model WHS laws

The Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws are being harmonised across Australia. The Commonwealth, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Queensland implemented the model WHS laws in their jurisdiction on 1 January 2012. South Australia and Tasmania implemented the model WHS laws on 1 January 2013. On 10 November 2020, Western Australia passed a version of the model laws, which became operational on 31 March 2022. Victoria is the only jurisdiction which has not implemented the model WHS laws.

Under the model laws, Safety in Design applies to structures where the design could impact work health and safety. This includes commercial buildings, infrastructure projects and applies to residential homes to the extent that at some stages in their lifecycle residences are workplaces such as during construction, maintenance or repair by workers, or demolition at end of life (See Acumen note Safety in design FAQs for further information).

Page contents

• Safe Design
• Risk management
• Buildability (safety in design during construction)
• Responsibilities