New South Wales Compliance with Codes of Practice from 1 July 2026

The Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Workplace Protections) Act 2025 (NSW) has amended the Work Health and Safety Act in NSW. From 1 July 2026, all Codes of Practice will become legally binding.

Codes of Practice had been used as  guidance for what is 'reasonably practicable' and were only mandatory if expressly required by legislation. From 1 July 2026, section 26A has been added to the WHS Act, requiring all PCBUs to comply with a Code of Practice that has been approved by the Minister. The exception will be where a PCBU has controlled the hazard in a way that is equivalent to or higher than the standard required in the Code. 

So what does this mean for you?  Codes of Practice are now the legally enforceable minimum standard and must be adopted in your workplace. You must review all your Control Measures to make sure that they align with the standards set out in the relevant Code of Practice. 

For a list of all current NSW Codes of Practice please follow this link. 

Let's manage safety together and make sure that every worker gets to go home at the end of the workday!

AGWA Resources

Not sure where to start?  AGWA has developed a number of resources for you to use. To find these please go to the AGWA website (www.agwa.com.au) and Go to the Technical & Business Tab. You will then see a section on Safety.

Always remind workers that safety is everyone’s business, and they responsible for their own safety as well as looking out for their mate’s.