Safety Bulletin - June 2025
Australia – Amendments to rail safety national law and regulations proposed
The National Transport Commission has released draft amendments to the Rail Safety National Law and National Regulations as part of regular maintenance. Comments are sought on the draft amendment Bill, draft amendment Regulations and the consultation explanatory document. Proposed changes include clarifying requirements for rail transport operators in relation to emergency management plans, clarifying the regulator’s enforcement powers when conducting an audit and listing road managers as parties that have a shared responsibility in rail safety.
Read more from the National Transport Commission here.
Tasmania – Review of security-sensitive dangerous substances legislation underway
The Tasmanian Government has released the draft Security-sensitive Dangerous Substances Regulations 2025 as part of a 10-year review of the current Regulations. The draft regulations prescribe certain security plan requirements and fees and are expected to take effect in November.
Read more from the Tasmania Department of Justice here.
New Zealand – Self-certification scheme and inspection targets to be introduced
The NZ Government has announced that a voluntary opt-in self-certification scheme for trusted building professionals will be introduced to parliament by the end of 2025, which will allow eligible building companies, plumbers and drainlayers, to sign off on their own work in simple homes. The changes will also include new inspection targets for Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) to conduct 80% of inspections within 3 working days. New guidance will be produced to assist BCAs with meeting this requirement, which is expected to come into force later in 2025.