Work, health and safety (WHS) refers to the body of legislation concerned with managing the health and safety of people at work. WHS laws were first adopted in Australia in the 1970s and 1980s. This was in response to a growing recognition of the right of workers to feel safe and to be protected by their employers from injury or death in the workplace. Since then WHS has been constantly evolving to reflect the changing nature of the industrial landscape.

As a result of the globalisation of markets and improvements in transport and cross-border communications WHS laws in Australia have undergone a harmonisation process. From November 2014 all jurisdictions except Victoria have passed or indicated their intention to pass legislation to apply harmonised WHS legislation to their states. The reform has resulted in the development of a consistent standard of workplace safety across Australia. It has also made it easier for businesses that operate across jurisdictions to comply with their obligations as well as giving licenced workers the ability to move and work anywhere in the country. While there have been many changes to WHS legislation over the years its core purpose has remained the same – to encourage co-operation between employer and employee to ensure a safe and healthy workplace environment for all.

This Legal Guide on Work, Health and Safety Law provides employers and persons carrying on a business in all states and territories other than Victoria with information about their obligations under WHS laws. Before making important decisions it is advisable to obtain legal advice specific to your situation. LegalEagle’s™ free directory profiles all lawyers in Australia. You can use it to Find a Lawyer near you.

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Warning: Information provided through LegalEagle™ is for general guidance. It is not legal advice. Laws and procedures referred to may change and differ between states, territories and nationally. There may also be important exceptions or qualifications. Only a lawyer providing formal legal advice can assess your particular circumstances to determine how the law will apply.