Overview of Australian Workplace Safety and Environmental Protection Legislative Framework for Business Owners and Companies

Workplace Safety Acts and Regulations by State and Territory

Summary

While the Model WHS Act 2011 underpins most state and territory laws, Victoria and Western Australia retain their foundational legislations: Victoria's Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and Western Australia's Work Health and Safety Act 2020, respectively. Each jurisdiction enforces safety through regulators like SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria, and others.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

·       Main Legislation: Work Health and Safety Act 2011

·       Additional Regulations: Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

New South Wales

·       Main Legislation: Work Health and Safety Act 2011

·       Additional Regulations: Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017

Victoria

·       Main Legislation: Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004

Queensland

·       Main Legislation: Work Health and Safety Act 2011

·       Additional Regulations: Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

Western Australia

·       Main Legislation: Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (adopted parts of the model)

·       Additional Regulations: Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022

South Australia

·       Main Legislation: Work Health and Safety Act 2012

·       Additional Regulations: Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012

Tasmania

·       Main Legislation: Work Health and Safety Act 2012

Northern Territory

·       Main Legislation: Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

·       Main Legislation: Work Health and Safety Act 2011

Need help complying with Workplace Safety laws? Call ISOsafe on 1300 789 132, we specialise in helping business owners and companies with Compliance.

Environmental Protection Acts and Regulations by State and Territory

Summary

The environmental protection legislative framework in Australia operates predominantly at the state and territory level, with each jurisdiction having its own Acts and Regulations. There are also national reforms underway to streamline and unify environmental approvals. Below is a summary of key environment protection legislation for each Australian state and territory as of 2025:

New South Wales (NSW)

·       Primary Act: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act)

Queensland (QLD)

·       Primary Act: Environmental Protection Act 1994

·       Related Acts: Nature Conservation Act 1992, Environmental Protection (Extractive Activities) Amendment Regulation 2025, Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025.

Victoria (VIC)

·       Victoria implements its environmental protection laws under:

o   Environment Protection Act 2017 (current framework updating previous laws).

o   Related subordinate regulations and policy instruments.

Western Australia (WA)

·       Primary laws include:

o   Environmental Protection Act 1986

o   Supplementary regulations and focus on mining and development approvals.

South Australia (SA)

·       Environment Protection Act 1993

Tasmania (TAS)

·       Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994

Northern Territory (NT)

·       Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

·       Environment Protection Act 1997

Need help complying with Environmental Protection laws? Call ISOsafe on 1300 789 132, we specialise in helping business owners and companies with Compliance.