SWMS rules by state
Every state and territory's regulation requires a SWMS for high-risk construction work. This table compares the eight, quoted from the regulations we read, with the provision and the version.
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 eight states and territories
| State | Regulation | SWMS duty | High-risk list | Construction project | 2026 changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025Current version for 3 July 2026 to date (read in a browser 21 Oct 2026) | s299(1) | 19 categories (s291) | A construction project is a project involving construction work that costs $250,000 or more.s292 | None logged |
| Victoria | Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017Authorised Version No. 018, amendments as at 20 Oct 2026 | r327(1) | 19 categories (r322)Own wording: demolition; work that disturbs, or may disturb, asbestos; structural alterations or repairs that need temporary support; work in or near a confined space; a trench or shaft deeper than 1.5 metres; on or next to a road, railway or other traffic route in use; in or near water or liquid with a risk of drowning | The principal contractor duties apply to a construction project that costs $350,000 or more.r332 | None logged |
| Queensland | Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011Current as at 29 Mar 2026 (in force version served 21 Oct 2026) | s299(1) | 19 categories (s291) | A construction project is a project involving construction work that costs $250,000 or more.s292 | None logged |
| Western Australia | Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022Compilation including SL 2026/94 (in force version served 21 Oct 2026) | r299(1) | 19 categories (r291) | A construction project is a project involving construction work where 5 or more people are, or are likely to be, working at the same time at a construction site.r292 | None logged |
| South Australia | Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012Version 1.7.2026 (read in a browser 21 Oct 2026) | r299(1) | 19 categories (r291) | A construction project is a project involving construction work that costs $450,000 or more.r292 | From 1 July 2026: Construction work with a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres is high-risk construction work. |
| Tasmania | Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022Current version downloaded 21 Oct 2026 | r299(1) | 19 categories (r291) | A construction project is a project involving construction work that costs $250,000 or more.r292 | None logged |
| Australian Capital Territory | Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011Republication R47, effective 29 Nov 2025 (current on 21 Oct 2026) | s299(1) | 20 categories (s291)Own wording: on or next to a road, railway or other traffic route in use | A construction project is a project involving construction work that costs $250,000 or more, or that involves demolishing or refurbishing a structure containing loose-fill asbestos insulation.s292 | None logged |
| Northern Territory | Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011As in force at 17 Jul 2026 (current on 21 Oct 2026) | r299(1) | 20 categories (r291)Own wording: not a house job: someone could fall more than 2 metres | A construction project is a project involving construction work that costs $1,000,000 or more.r292 | From 28 May 2026: A construction project is a project involving construction work that costs $1,000,000 or more.From 17 July 2026: On residential construction work (a house, or its attached or adjacent garage, carport or shed), the falls trigger is a risk of falling more than 3 metres. |
Vic runs the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017; the others run Work Health and Safety Regulations. Read 21 Oct 2026. The regulator has the final say.
Draft a SWMS for your state
Pick the state when you describe the job; the draft names the regulation that applies there, and you review it on site.