WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT 2011 - As at 5 December 2023 - Act 10 of 2011 - NOTES
WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT 2011 - As at 5 December 2023 - Act 10 of 2011 - NOTES
Note to Division 5
This Division sets out offences, and penalties for the offences, in relation to the health and safety duties imposed by Divisions 2, 3 and 4 of Part 2. In certain circumstances, the death of a person at work may also constitute manslaughter under the Crimes Act 1900 and may be prosecuted under that Act. See section 18 of the Crimes Act 1900, which provides for the offence of manslaughter, and section 24 of that Act, which provides that the offence of manslaughter is punishable by imprisonment for 25 years.Note to Part 7
Division 7 of Part 13 sets out the procedure in relation to the bringing of proceedings in relation to WHS civil penalty provisions.Does not include amendments by--
Work Health and Safety Amendment Act 2023 No
34, Sch 1[2[#93] [4[#93] -[15[#93] [17[#93] [18[#93]-[20[#93] [22[#93] [24[#93]-[28[#93] and [32[#93] (not commenced-- Sch 1[2[#93] [18[#93]-[20[#93] [22[#93] and [24[#93]-[27[#93] to commence on 25.4.2024; Sch 1[4[#93]-[15[#93] [17[#93] [28[#93] and [32[#93] to commence on 1.7.2024)
Industrial Relations Amendment Act
2023 No 41 (not commenced)
Historical notes
The following abbreviations are used in the Historical notes:
Am | amended | LW | legislation website | Sch | Schedule |
Cl | clause | No | number | Schs | Schedules |
Cll | clauses | p | page | Sec | section |
Div | Division | pp | pages | Secs | sections |
Divs | Divisions | Reg | Regulation | Subdiv | Subdivision |
GG | Government Gazette | Regs | Regulations | Subdivs | Subdivisions |
Ins | inserted | Rep | repealed | Subst | substituted |
See also Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act 2011.
Table of amending instruments
Work Health and Safety Act 2011 No 10. Assented to 7.6.2011. Date of commencement, 1.1.2012, sec 2. This Act has been amended as follows--2011 | No 67 | Work Health and Safety
Legislation
Amendment Act 2011. Assented to 28.11.2011. Date of commencement of Sch 1 [1[#93], assent, sec 2 (2); date of commencement of Sch 1 [2[#93]-[19[#93], 1.1.2012, sec 2 (1). |
2012 | No 42 | Statute Law (Miscellaneous
Provisions)
Act 2012. Assented to 21.6.2012. Date of commencement of Sch 1.29, 6.7.2012, sec 2 (1). |
2013 | No 54 | Work Health and Safety (Mines)
Act
2013. Assented to 1.7.2013. Date of commencement of Sch 3, sec 2 and 2014 (786) LW 12.12.2014. |
No 95 | Civil and Administrative
Legislation
(Repeal and Amendment) Act 2013. Assented to 20.11.2013. Date of commencement, 1.1.2014, sec 2. | |
No 109 | Work Health and Safety
Amendment Act
2013. Assented to 3.12.2013. Date of commencement, assent, sec 2. | |
2014 | No 71 | Work Health and Safety
(Mines)
Amendment Act 2014. Assented to 11.11.2014. Date of commencement of Sch 2, 1.2.2015, sec 2 and 2014 (787) LW 12.12.2014. |
2015 | No 19 | State Insurance and Care
Governance
Act 2015. Assented to 21.8.2015. Date of commencement of Sch 14, 1.9.2015, sec 2 and 2015 (524) LW 28.8.2015. |
No 43 | Work Health and Safety (Mines
and
Petroleum) Legislation Amendment (Harmonisation) Act
2015. Assented to 2.11.2015. Date of commencement, 1.2.2016, sec 2 and 2016 (46) LW 29.1.2016. | |
2016 | No 48 | Industrial Relations
Amendment
(Industrial Court) Act 2016. Assented to 18.10.2016. Date of commencement of Sch 2, 8.12.2016, sec 2 (1) and 2016 (674) LW 15.11.2016. |
No 55 | Statute Law (Miscellaneous
Provisions)
Act (No 2) 2016. Assented to 25.10.2016. Date of commencement of Sch 3.55, 6.1.2017, sec 2 (1). | |
2017 | No 22 | Statute Law (Miscellaneous
Provisions)
Act 2017. Assented to 1.6.2017. Date of commencement of Sch 3, 7.7.2017, sec 2 (3); date of commencement of Sch 4, 7 days after assent, sec 2 (1). |
No 50 | Health Practitioner
Regulation
Amendment Act 2017. Assented to 24.10.2017. Date of commencement of Sch 5.33, 8.1.2018, sec 2 and 2017 (666) LW 1.12.2017. | |
No 65 | Local Government Amendment
(Regional
Joint Organisations) Act 2017. Assented to 30.11.2017. Date of commencement, 15.12.2017, sec 2 and 2017 (730) LW 15.12.2017. | |
2018 | No 12 | Work Health and Safety Amendment
Act
2018. Assented to 21.3.2018. Date of commencement, assent, sec 2. |
No 79 | Fair Trading Legislation
Amendment
(Miscellaneous) Act 2018. Assented to 28.11.2018. Date of commencement of Sch 2.4, 1.7.2019, sec 2 and 2019 (114), LW 28.2.2019. | |
2019 | No 1 | Statute Law (Miscellaneous
Provisions)
Act 2019. Assented to 17.6.2019. Date of commencement of Sch 2.43, 14 days after assent, sec 2 (1). |
2020 | No 3 | Better Regulation and Customer
Service
Legislation Amendment (Bushfire Relief) Act 2020. Assented to 25.3.2020. Date of commencement, assent, sec 2. |
No 10 | Work Health and Safety
Amendment
(Review) Act 2020. Assented to 10.6.2020. Date of commencement, assent, sec 2. | |
No 34 | Work Health and Safety Amendment (Information
Exchange) Act
2020. Assented to 27.10.2020. Date of commencement, assent, sec 2. | |
2022 | No 59 | Statute Law (Miscellaneous
Provisions)
Act (No 2) 2022. Assented to 26.10.2022. Date of commencement, 13.1.2023, sec 2. |
2023 | No 34 | Work Health and Safety Amendment Act
2023. Assented to 24.10.2023. Date of commencement of Sch 1[1[#93] [3[#93] [16[#93] [21[#93] [23[#93] [29[#93]-[31[#93] [33[#93]-[36[#93] [38[#93] and [39[#93], assent, sec 2(c); date of commencement of Sch 1[2[#93] [4[#93]-[15[#93] [17[#93]-[20[#93] [22[#93] [24[#93]-[28[#93] [32[#93] and [37[#93]: not in force. |
Table of amendments
Sec 2 | Subst 2011 No 67, Sch 1 [1[#93]. |
Sec 4 | Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [2[#93]-[4[#93]; 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [1[#93]-[3[#93]; 2014 No 71, Sch 2.5 [1[#93]; 2015 No 19, Sch 14 [1[#93] [2[#93]; 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [1[#93] [2[#93]; 2016 No 48, Sch 2.37 [1[#93]; 2017 No 22, Sch 4.52; 2017 No 50, Sch 5.33; 2017 No 65, Sch 2.34; 2022 No 59, Sch 3.69[1[#93] [2[#93]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[1[#93]. |
Sec 4A | Ins 2014 No 71, Sch 2.5 [2[#93]. Rep 2015 No 19, Sch 14 [3[#93]. |
Sec 5 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[1[#93]. |
Sec 7 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[2[#93]. |
Pt 2, Div 5, note | Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[3[#93]. |
Sec 31 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[4[#93] [5[#93], Sch 2[4[#93]-[6[#93]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[3[#93]. |
Sec 32 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[6[#93]-[8[#93]. |
Sec 33 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[9[#93]. |
Sec 34A | Ins 2018 No 12, Sch 1. |
Sec 38 | Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [5[#93]; 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [4[#93]; 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [3[#93]; 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [1[#93]; 2020 No 10, Sch 2[10[#93] [11[#93]. |
Sec 39 | Am 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [5[#93]; 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [3[#93]. |
Sec 41 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12[#93]. |
Secs 42-47 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[13[#93]. |
Secs 53, 57 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[14[#93]. |
Sec 71 | Am 2019 No 1, Sch 2.43. |
Sec 72 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[6[#93]-[10[#93]. |
Sec 74 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[14[#93]. |
Sec 75 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[10[#93] [11[#93]. |
Sec 76A | Subst 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [6[#93]. Am 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [3[#93] [4[#93]. |
Sec 97 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[10[#93] [11[#93]. |
Sec 99 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12[#93]. |
Secs 104, 107, 108, 109 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[9[#93]. |
Sec 112 | Am 2016 No 55, Sch 3.55 [1[#93]-[3[#93]; 2020 No 10, Sch 1[11[#93]. |
Sec 149 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[14[#93]. |
Sec 150 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[10[#93] [11[#93]. |
Sec 154 | Ins 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [6[#93]. |
Sec 155 | Am 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [2[#93]. |
Sec 155A | Ins 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [3[#93]. |
Sec 155B | Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[12[#93]. |
Sec 156A | Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [7[#93]. Subst 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [7[#93]. Rep 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [5[#93]. |
Sec 162 | Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[16[#93]. |
Sec 162A | Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [8[#93]; 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [8[#93]; 2015 No 19, Sch 14 [5[#93]. Rep 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [5[#93]. |
Sec 165A | Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [9[#93]. Rep 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [9[#93]. |
Sec 166 | Am 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [4[#93]. |
Sec 166A | Rep 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [10[#93]. |
Sec 171 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[13[#93] [14[#93]. |
Sec 171A | Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[15[#93]. |
Sec 185A | Ins 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [5[#93]. |
Secs 190, 193 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12[#93]. |
Sec 197 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[9[#93]. |
Sec 200 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12[#93]. |
Sec 204 | Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[21[#93]. |
Sec 207 | Subst 2023 No 34, Sch 1[23[#93]. |
Sec 209 | Am 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [6[#93]. |
Sec 210 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[10[#93] [11[#93]. |
Sec 219 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12[#93]. |
Sec 223 | Am 2016 No 55, Sch 3.55 [4[#93]. |
Sec 229A | Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [10[#93]. Rep 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [11[#93]. |
Sec 229B | Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [11[#93]; 2016 No 48, Sch 2.37 [2[#93]; 2020 No 10, Sch 1[16[#93]. |
Sec 230 | Am 2013 No 109, Sch 1 [1[#93]; 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [7[#93]. |
Sec 231 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[17[#93] [18[#93]. |
Sec 233A | Ins 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [8[#93]. |
Sec 236 | Am 2016 No 55, Sch 3.55 [5[#93]. |
Sec 242 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12[#93]. |
Part 13, Div 2A | Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[19[#93]. |
Sec 242A | Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[19[#93]. Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[29[#93]. |
Sec 242B | Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[19[#93]. |
Sec 242C | Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[19[#93]. |
Sec 242D | Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[19[#93]. |
Sec 243 | Subst 2017 No 22, Sch 3.86. Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[30[#93]. |
Sec 244 | Subst 2023 No 34, Sch 1[31[#93]. |
Sec 244A | Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[31[#93]. |
Sec 244B | Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[31[#93]. |
Sec 244C | Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[31[#93]. |
Sec 244D | Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[31[#93]. |
Sec 252 | Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [12[#93]. |
Sec 255 | Am 2016 No 48, Sch 2.37 [3[#93]. |
Sec 268 | Am 2016 No 55, Sch 3.55 [6[#93]. |
Sec 271 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[20[#93]. |
Sec 271A | Ins 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [13[#93]. Am 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [12[#93]; 2015 No 19, Sch 14 [5[#93]; 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [3[#93]. |
Secs 271B-271F | Ins 2020 No 34, sec 3(1). |
Sec 272A | Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[21[#93]. Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[33[#93]. |
Sec 272B | Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[21[#93]. |
Sec 273 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[10[#93] [11[#93]. |
Part 14, Div 1A | Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[34[#93]. |
Sec 273A | Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[34[#93]. |
Sec 273B | Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[34[#93]. |
Sec 274 | Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[35[#93] [36[#93]. |
Sec 276 | Am 2013 No 95, Sch 2.153 [1[#93]; 2020 No 3, Sch 1.31[1[#93] [2[#93]; 2020 No 10, Sch 1[22[#93]. |
Sec 276A | Rep 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [14[#93]. Ins 2020 No 34, sec 3(2). |
Sec 276C | Rep 1987 No 15, sec 30C. |
Sch 1 | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[23[#93]-[25[#93]. |
Sch 2 | Subst 2015 No 19, Sch 14 [6[#93]. Am 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [6[#93]-[8[#93]; 2022 No 59, Sch 3.69[1[#93]. |
Sch 3 | Am 2013 No 95, Sch 2.153 [2[#93]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[38[#93]. |
Sch 4 | Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [15[#93]-[19[#93]; 2012 No 42, Sch 1.29; 2013 No 109, Sch 1 [2[#93]-[5[#93]; 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [13[#93] [14[#93]; 2020 No 3, Sch 1.31[3[#93]; 2020 No 10, Sch 1[26[#93]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[39[#93]. |
Sch 5 | Rep 1987 No 15, sec 30C. Ins 2018 No 79, Sch 2.4. |
The whole Act | Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[1[#93]-[3[#93], respectively ("$50,000", "$100,000" and "$10,000" omitted wherever occurring in the penalty provisions. "575 penalty units", "1,155 penalty units" and "115 penalty units" inserted instead, respectively). |