News & progress on WHS legislation
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WHS News
ACCI provides its members with weekly news through our CEO Update every Monday. Please contact us if you would like further information on Work Health and Safety updates.
Progress of the Model WHS Legislation
From 1 January 2012 there will be a new, harmonised approach to Workplace, Health & Safety in Australia. Each jurisdiction is still responsible for its own legislation but each will be based on the model WHS Acts and Regulations. This should ensure a consistent approach to WHS across jurisdictions.
The model Work Health and Safety legislation package consists of a model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, supported by model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, and model Codes of Practice. There is also a National Compliance and Enforcement Policy to ensure compliance is approached consistently across jurisdictions wherever possible.
The Work Health and Safety legislation and 11 Codes of Practice came into effect on 1 January 2012 in New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, the Commonwealth and the Northern Territory. Links to the legislation packages in these jurisdictions are provided below.
ACCI has drawn up a table that shows the progress of the legislation through the jurisdictions and it is available on request via email or on 03 9668 9950 for assistance.
Follow these links to find the current versions of the SafeWork Australia model WHS Act, Regulations & Codes of Practice. Also released are further draft Codes of Practice now closed for public comment.
Commonwealth
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
Australian Capital Territory
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
New South Wales
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
Northern Territory
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Bill 2011
Queensland
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
Your business organisation can help plan and understand the requirements of the new laws. So whether already enacted or still to be considered in your jurisdictions businesses need to be aware of or plan for this package. The new WHS laws in general reflect many of the major principles already in existence in most jurisdictions but there are new concepts, new terms and new ways to meet WHS obligations. Contact your Association for assistance.
ACCI's National Member Network has been involved in the various stages of reviewing the draft legislation and regulations. This group of business organisations represents every industry sector in the Australian economy. ACCI's National Member Network has participated through ACCI's WHS Working Partyand a wider industry consultative forum. The Network provides an opportunity for you to share views and have your say on the new WHS laws. You can provide feedback to the business organisation that participates in ACCI's National Member Network most relevant to your industry or you can submit comment directly to our ACCI WHS Review Bank.