SWMS vs JSA vs risk assessment
Three documents that get mixed up on site. What each one is, when it is used, and which one the builder is asking for.
A$39per job
However many high-risk activities it covers.
- However many high-risk activities it covers.
- 3 for A$99
- 10 for A$249
- Yearly A$129 for 120
- Monthly A$60 for 10
Side by side
The three documents compared
| SWMS | JSA | Risk assessment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | The plan for high-risk construction work on a job | A step-by-step look at one task's hazards | A wider look at a workplace's or activity's risks |
| Where the name comes from | Each state's construction regulation (quoted below) | General safety practice | General safety practice |
| When it is used | Before high-risk construction work starts | For any task, often routine work | When planning work or a workplace |
| Who usually writes it | The business doing the high-risk work | The supervisor or the crew | The business, often with a safety adviser |
| Who reads it | The crew, before they start, and the builder | The crew doing the task | Managers and the people planning the work |
Checked 21 October 2026.
The SWMS
What each state's regulation says about a SWMS
Quoted from the regulations we read, with the provision linked.
A business carrying out high-risk construction work must make sure a SWMS for the work has been prepared before that work starts.
NSW s299(1)Qld s299(1)WA r299(1)SA r299(1)Tas r299(1)ACT s299(1)NT r299(1)read 21 Oct 2026
An employer or self-employed person must not perform high-risk construction work that risks anyone’s health or safety unless a SWMS is prepared before the work starts and the work follows it.
Vic r327(1)read 21 Oct 2026
A SWMS must identify the high-risk construction work, the hazards and risks, the measures that control those risks, and how the controls will be put in place, monitored and reviewed.
NSW s299(2)Qld s299(2)WA r299(2)SA r299(2)Tas r299(2)ACT s299(2)NT r299(2)read 21 Oct 2026
Victoria: check the current rule with WorkSafe Victoria.
Which one
Which one do you need?
- The builder asked for a SWMSSend a SWMS written for their site and your job. A JSA in its place is the usual reason one comes back.
- The job includes high-risk construction workCheck the work against your state's list, then write the SWMS before work starts.
- Routine work with no high-risk categoryA JSA or your usual risk process may be all the job needs, unless the builder asks for more.
Not sure the job needs a SWMS?
Tick what the job involves and see it against your state's list of high-risk construction work, quoted from the regulation.
Sources
Where this guide's information comes from
- 1.Safe Work Australia · Model Code of Practice: Construction work · accessed 21 Oct 2026
- Last reviewed
- 21 October 2026
- How
- Definitions checked against the model code of practice; the SWMS lines print from logged rule rows quoted from each state's regulation.
- Next review
- January 2027, or sooner when a regulation changes