Australia is approaching an important change in the way workplace exposure to airborne contaminants is regulated. From 1 December 2026, the existing Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) for airborne contaminants will transition to Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL). The change follows a national review of workplace exposure standards and has been agreed by Australian Work Health and...

ISO 9001:2026, Quality management systems – Requirements, was officially published on 16 September 2026, replacing ISO 9001:2015. For organisations already operating an ISO 9001-certified Quality Management System (QMS), the good news is that this is an evolution rather than a complete redesign of the Standard. The established foundations of ISO 9001 remain. Customer focus, leadership,...

Queensland businesses should be aware of important updates to seven Work Health and Safety (WHS) Codes of Practice taking effect from 1 September 2026. The amendments affect the following Codes of Practice: Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice 2022 Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice...

Queensland’s new Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 is set to replace the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 from 1 September 2026. For electricians, electrical contractors, businesses and other people working with electrical installations and equipment, the change is important, but it is not a major overhaul of Queensland’s electrical safety requirements. The Queensland Government has confirmed that the 2026 Regulation does...

Safe Work Australia has published a new Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS), giving Australian businesses and workers a refreshed way to access information about hazardous chemicals and prepare for the introduction of new workplace exposure limits (WELs) on 1 December 2026. The new HCIS was published on 4 August 2026 and represents a significant update...

Australian businesses operate in an environment shaped by legislation, regulations, industry codes, Australian Standards, workplace requirements and customer expectations. While not every standard is legally mandatory, standards can play an important role in helping businesses operate safely, consistently and professionally. The challenge is that standards do not remain static. They can be revised, replaced or...

The biggest changes to Australia’s Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) in more than a decade will take effect on 1 August 2026, bringing a stronger focus on proactive safety management, documented systems, and demonstrable compliance. For heavy vehicle operators, the reforms represent a shift away from simply complying with prescriptive rules towards proving that your...

As the financial year gets underway, many Australian businesses are focused on budgets, growth plans, and operational priorities. However, the middle of the year is also an ideal time to assess another critical area of business performance, Work Health and Safety (WHS). A mid-year WHS audit is more than a compliance exercise. It provides an...

Workplace safety has always been a legal and moral responsibility for Australian businesses, but Queensland’s Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) is placing an even stronger emphasis on proactive compliance over the coming years. Through its WHS Compliance and Field Services Proactive Compliance Program 2024–2027, WHSQ is targeting high-risk industries and hazards before incidents occur,...

Whether you’re managing contractors on a construction site, engaging specialist trades, or outsourcing services, contractor compliance is a critical part of running a safe and legally compliant business in Australia. Regulators, clients, and insurers increasingly expect businesses to demonstrate that contractors meet the same standards as employees when it comes to safety, qualifications, and legal...

Construction sites across Queensland are constantly evolving environments, with workers regularly required to perform tasks on roofs, scaffolding, ladders, elevated work platforms, and partially completed structures. While working at heights is often unavoidable, falls from height continue to be one of the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. Whether it’s...

Forklifts, elevated work platforms, loaders, pallet jacks and other moving plant are essential to Australian industry. From warehouses and logistics hubs to construction sites and manufacturing facilities, these machines keep operations moving efficiently. Unfortunately, they also remain one of the leading causes of serious workplace injuries and fatalities across Australia. Among all types of moving...