SWMS in Northern Territory
A business carrying out high-risk construction work must make sure a SWMS for the work has been prepared before that work starts.
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 r299(1) · read 21 Oct 2026 · primary text
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
High-risk construction work
The high-risk list in Northern Territory
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011, r291. Plain words first, then the regulation's own.
- Not a house job: someone could fall more than 2 metres“if it is not residential construction work – involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 m” (r291(1)(a))
- On a house job, someone could fall more than 3 metres“if it is residential construction work – involves a risk of a person falling more than 3 m” (r291(1)(ab))
- Work on a telecommunication tower“is carried out on a telecommunication tower” (r291(1)(b))
- Demolition“involves demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure” (r291(1)(c))
- Work that disturbs, or may disturb, asbestos“involves, or is likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos” (r291(1)(d))
- Structural alterations or repairs that need temporary support“involves structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse” (r291(1)(e))
- Work in or near a confined space“is carried out in or near a confined space” (r291(1)(f))
- A trench or shaft deeper than 1.5 metres“a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 m” (r291(1)(g)(i))
- Work in or near a tunnel“a tunnel” (r291(1)(g)(ii))
- Using explosives“involves the use of explosives” (r291(1)(h))
- On or near pressurised gas mains or piping“is carried out on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping” (r291(1)(i))
- On or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines“is carried out on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines” (r291(1)(j))
- Work on or near live electrical installations or services“is carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services” (r291(1)(k))
- An area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere“is carried out in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere” (r291(1)(l))
- Tilt-up or precast concrete“involves tilt-up or precast concrete” (r291(1)(m))
- On or next to a road, railway or other traffic route in use“is carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor that is in use by traffic other than pedestrians” (r291(1)(n))
- Moving powered mobile plant in the work area“is carried out in an area at a workplace in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant” (r291(1)(o))
- An area with artificial extremes of heat or cold“is carried out in an area in which there are artificial extremes of temperature” (r291(1)(p))
- In or near water or liquid with a risk of drowning“is carried out in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning” (r291(1)(q))
- Diving work“involves diving work” (r291(1)(r))
Where Northern Territory differs from other states
- Not a house job: someone could fall more than 2 metresNT: “if it is not residential construction work – involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 m” · NSW, Vic, Qld, WA, SA, Tas, ACT: “involves a risk of a person falling more than 2m”
- On a house job, someone could fall more than 3 metresNT: “if it is residential construction work – involves a risk of a person falling more than 3 m” · not on the other states' lists
The SWMS itself
Writing, reviewing and keeping it
What it must contain
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.
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 r299(2) · read 21 Oct 2026 · primary text
Reviewing it
The SWMS must be reviewed, and revised as needed, when the relevant control measures are revised.
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 r302 · read 21 Oct 2026 · primary text
Keeping it
Keep a copy of the SWMS until the high-risk construction work is finished, or for at least 2 years after a notifiable incident connected with the work.
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 r303 · read 21 Oct 2026 · primary text
Principal contractors
On a construction project
Bigger projects have a principal contractor, usually the builder, with extra duties.
A construction project is a project involving construction work that costs $1,000,000 or more.
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 r292 · read 21 Oct 2026 · primary text
On a construction project, a copy of the SWMS must be given to the principal contractor before the high-risk construction work starts.
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 r301 · read 21 Oct 2026 · primary text
Changes
What changed in Northern Territory in 2026
From 28 May 2026
A construction project is a project involving construction work that costs $1,000,000 or more.
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 r292 · read 21 Oct 2026 · primary text
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.
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 r291(1)(ab) · read 21 Oct 2026 · primary text
The regulator
NT WorkSafe
The regulator publishes the legislation, its guidance and its own SWMS template. It has the final say.
Sources
- 1.Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 · NT WHS (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011, as in force at 17 July 2026 · accessed 21 October 2026
- 2.Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 · NT WHS (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011, as in force at 17 July 2026 · accessed 21 October 2026
Other states