Rules status

All states: new workplace exposure limits for dust and chemicals

Takes effect 1 December 2026 · Status: Coming in the next Gate Ready update

Plasterboard dust (calcium sulfate) will show the new limit of 1.5 mg/m³ of respirable dust over 8 hours (it was 10 mg/m³). Isocyanate notes will say “workplace exposure limit”, and Victoria’s noise note will say “noise exposure limit”. WorkSafe Victoria: workplace exposure limits

Australian Capital Territory: asbestos removal and training

Takes effect Already in force · Status: Coming in the next Gate Ready update

In the ACT, the task and control for removing up to 10 m² of asbestos without a licence will no longer be offered, because all removal needs a licensed removalist (s458). The ACT note will add that electricians, plumbers, gasfitters, air conditioning technicians, cablers and their assistants need the Working Safely with Asbestos course (s445A), and that interstate asbestos licence holders must tell WorkSafe ACT before their first ACT job. WorkSafe ACT: asbestos

NSW, Queensland, SA, WA, Tasmania and NT: silica monitoring

Takes effect Already in force · Status: Coming in the next Gate Ready update

The silica notes will add that high risk silica processing needs air monitoring (results over the limit go to the regulator within 14 days), health monitoring for every worker doing it, and training records kept for 5 years after a worker leaves (r529CD, r529CE). WorkSafe Queensland: processing crystalline silica

Victoria: SWMS keeping, falls records and trench notices

Takes effect Now, and 31 March 2027 · Status: Coming in the next Gate Ready update

The Victorian notes will show today’s rule (keep a copy of the SWMS for the job, r329) separately from the rule from 31 March 2027 (kept at the workplace where people can easily get it). They will add that a SWMS can be the record when only admin controls are used for a fall risk (r46), and that WorkSafe must be told 3 days before digging a trench deeper than 1.5 m, a shaft deeper than 2 m or a tunnel (r355). WorkSafe Victoria: new infringement notices

All states except Victoria: demolition notice and licences

Takes effect Already in force · Status: Coming in the next Gate Ready update

Demolition work will include a control for giving the regulator written notice at least 5 days before demolishing a structure 6 m or higher, using plant on a suspended floor, or using explosives (r142). New South Wales and Western Australia notes will say some demolition work needs a demolition licence. Safe Work Australia

Queensland: catch platforms

Takes effect Already in force · Status: Coming in the next Gate Ready update

The Queensland falls note will add the legal catch platform rules: at least 675 mm wide, no more than 1 m below the roof edge (300 mm on roofs steeper than 26°), with the inner edge guarded if the gap is over 225 mm (s306H). Queensland regulation (official site)

New South Wales: interstate electrical licences

Takes effect Until 1 October 2027 · Status: Coming in the next Gate Ready update

Licence reminders will say the East Coast Electricians scheme only covers some Queensland, Victorian and ACT licence types. Electricians from other states will be told that electrical wiring work in NSW isn’t in automatic mutual recognition yet, so they need to apply to Building Commission NSW first. NSW Government: automatic mutual recognition, electrical

All states: training course and licence names

Takes effect Already in force · Status: Coming in the next Gate Ready update

Asbestos training lists will show the current units (CPCCDE3028, CPCCDE3029 and CPCCDE4009, with the earlier codes still accepted) and the current asbestos awareness course. Some regulator and workers compensation names will be made clearer. training.gov.au

Gate Ready 1.0.0 · First release. We checked the rules in all eight states and territories. This includes:

• New South Wales’ approved codes of practice, enforceable from 1 July 2026 (s26A)
• Victoria’s own list of high-risk construction work, and its rules for keeping a copy of the SWMS (r329), including the changes from 31 March 2027
• Queensland’s falls rules (s306D, s299(4))
• The Northern Territory’s fall limit for homes, from 17 July 2026
• South Australia’s 2 m fall limit, from 1 July 2026
• The ACT’s silica category (s291(1)(s))
• Queensland’s rule that approved codes of practice must be followed, or the risk managed in a way that is just as safe or safer
• Victoria’s on-the-spot fines from 31 March 2027 for starting high-risk construction work without a SWMS or not keeping it on hand (Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Infringement Offences) Regulations 2026, S.R. No. 139/2026)
• The national workplace exposure limits from 1 December 2026, including carbon monoxide at 20 ppm over 8 hours
• Hearing tests for workers who often wear hearing protection: within 3 months of starting, then at least every 2 years
• The ACT’s rule that only a licensed removalist can remove asbestos, whatever the amount

It also covers Western Australia’s fall protection order (r79), the ACT’s silica control order (s418CAA), and silica and risk control plan notes for NSW and Victoria.