In June 2008, all jurisdictional governments, including the Commonwealth, agreed to harmonise Australia’s Work Health and Safety laws (WHS) to achieve a more uniform approach and eliminate confusion. The harmonisation process also aims to reduce the regulatory burden for businesses operating in more than one State or Territory, reduce costs and improve the nation’s health and safety record in relation to workplace disease, injury and death.

The Intergovernmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety saw each State and Territory formally commit to this approach with an agreement for the new laws to be operational by 1 January 2012.

The commitment required each jurisdiction to develop and adopt a model Work Health and Safety Act, as well as harmonising WHS Regulations and Codes of Practice. 

However, the proposed new Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws did not pass State Parliament in time for the planned 1 January 2012 start date.

This means that the new laws are yet to come into effect. State Parliament does not reconvene until 14 February 2012 but the State Government is yet to announce a commencement date for the proposed new laws.

Businesses now have more time to understand and comply with the requirements under the new legislation before it becomes law.