Australia – WHS – Report for model WHS best practice review published
Safe Work Australia has published the final report for the best practice review of the model WHS laws. It contains 21 recommendations such as limiting non-disclosure agreement use, developing industry-based codes of practice, modernising the model WHS Regulations, and harmonising enforcement. The review also recommends that Safe Work Australia make strategies for the emerging areas of artificial intelligence, climate change and harmful workplace behaviours, which includes various changes to the laws or codes of practice.
View the Safe Work Australia media release here
New South Wales – Psychological hazards – New scheme to protect retail workers introduced
The NSW Government has introduced the Workplace Protection Orders Bill 2026 which will allow workers in public facing roles to ban threatening, abusive and violent customers before the behaviours escalates.
Read the NSW Ministerial media release here
Victoria – OHS – New OHS Regs to introduce fall risk offence
The VIC Government has released the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Infringement Offences) Regulations 2026, which create a new offence relating to the control of the risk of falls as well as prescribe certain offences for which an infringement notice may be issued.
View the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Infringement Offences) Regulations 2026 here
The Regulations will come into operation on 31 March 2027.