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SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA ACT 2008 - NOTES

No. 84, 2009

Compilation No. 6

Compilation date: 21 September 2023

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 9, 2023

Registered: 26 September 2023

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Safe Work Australia Act 2008 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 21 September 2023 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

Part 1--Preliminary

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 What this Act is about

4 Definitions

Part 2--Establishment and functions of Safe Work Australia

5 Establishment

5A Object

6 Functions

7 Performance of functions

8 Immunities and privileges

Part 3--Membership of Safe Work Australia

Division 1--What this Part is about

9 What this Part is about

Division 2--Membership and appointment

10 Membership of Safe Work Australia

11 Appointment of the Chair

12 Appointment of acting Chair

13 Appointment of the Commonwealth representative

14 Appointment of each State and Territory representative

15 Appointment of workers' representatives

16 Appointment of employers' representatives

Division 3--Terms and conditions of voting members

Subdivision A--Terms and conditions that apply to all voting members

17 Basis and period of appointment of all voting members

18 Disclosure of interests

19 Resignation of voting members

20 Termination of appointment of voting members

Subdivision B--Terms and conditions that apply only to the Chair

21 Remuneration of the Chair

22 Leave of absence of the Chair

23 Other terms and conditions of the Chair

Subdivision C--Terms and conditions etc. that apply only to other voting members

24 Leave of absence of other voting members

25 Application of the Remuneration Tribunal Act

Part 4--Planning by Safe Work Australia

Division 1--What this Part is about

26 What this Part is about

Division 2--Corporate plan for Safe Work Australia

27 Draft corporate plan

28 Approval of draft corporate plan

Division 3--Operational plan of Safe Work Australia

29 CEO to prepare a draft operational plan

30 Approval of draft operational plan

Division 4--WHS Ministers' directions to alter corporate or operational plans

31 WHS Ministers' directions to alter corporate plan

32 WHS Ministers' directions to alter operational plan

Part 5--Decision-making by Safe Work Australia

Division 1--What this Part is about

33 What this Part is about

Division 2--Meetings of Safe Work Australia

34 Holding of meetings

35 Presiding at meetings

36 Substitution of voting members at meetings

37 Quorum at meetings

38 Decisions at meetings etc.

39 Conduct of meetings

41 Minutes

Division 3--Decisions without meetings

42 Decisions without meetings

Part 6--The CEO, staff and committees of Safe Work Australia, and others assisting

Division 1--What this Part is about

43 What this Part is about

Division 2--The CEO of Safe Work Australia

Subdivision A--Functions of the CEO

44 The CEO

45 Functions of the CEO

46 Directions from the Minister

48 Directions from Safe Work Australia

49 CEO to keep Safe Work Australia informed

Subdivision B--Appointment of the CEO

50 Appointment of CEO

51 Appointment of acting CEO

Subdivision C--Terms and conditions of the CEO

52 Remuneration of the CEO

53 Leave of absence of the CEO

54 Other employment of the CEO

56 Resignation of the CEO

57 Termination of appointment of the CEO

58 Other terms and conditions of the CEO

Division 3--Staff and committees of Safe Work Australia, and others assisting it

Subdivision A--Staff of Safe Work Australia

59 Staff of Safe Work Australia

Subdivision B--Committees of Safe Work Australia

60 Committees of Safe Work Australia

Subdivision C--Others assisting Safe Work Australia

61 Persons assisting Safe Work Australia

62 Consultants

Part 7--The Safe Work Australia Special Account

63 What this Part is about

64 The Safe Work Australia Special Account

65 Credits to the Account

66 Purposes of the Account

Part 7A--Information-gathering powers

66A Simplified outline of this Part

66B CEO may obtain information

Part 8--Miscellaneous

67 Delegation by Safe Work Australia

68 Delegation by the CEO of Safe Work Australia

69 How WHS Ministers give directions etc.

70 Annual report

71 Intergovernmental Agreement to be available on the Internet

72 Review of Safe Work Australia's role and functions

73 Regulations

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Abbreviation key--Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section  15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and "(md not incorp)" is added to the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/sub-subparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev ... ) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)

cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3--Legislation history

 

Act

Number and year

Assent

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Safe Work Australia Act 2008

84, 2009

18 Sept 2009

s 3-73: 1 Nov 2009 (s 2(1) item 2)
Remainder: 18 Sept 2009 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011

46, 2011

27 June 2011

Sch 2 (items 1007-1019) and Sch 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 (s  2(1) items 7, 12)

Sch 3 (items 10, 11)

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014

62, 2014

30 June 2014

Sch 6 (items 70, 71) and Sch 12 (items 32-74) and Sch 14: 1 July 2014 (s 2(1) items 6, 14)

Sch 14

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2015

36, 2015

13 Apr 2015

Sch 2 (items 7-9) and Sch 7: 14 Apr 2015 (s 2)

Sch 7

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015

126, 2015

10 Sept 2015

Sch 1 (item 486): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015

126, 2015

10 Sept 2015

Sch 1 (item 495): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015

126, 2015

10 Sept 2015

Sch 1 (item 509): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Safe Work Australia Amendment (Role and Functions) Act 2017

86, 2017

16 Aug 2017

17 Aug 2017 (s 2(1) item 1)

Sch 1 (item 9)

Work Health and Safety Amendment Act 2023

9, 2023

21 Mar 2023

Sch 1 (item 1): 21 Sept 2023 (s 2(1) item 1)

--

 

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Part 1

 

s 3.....................

am No 86, 2017

s 4.....................

am No 86, 2017

Part 2

 

s 5.....................

am No 62, 2014

s 5A....................

ad No 86, 2017

s 6.....................

am No 86, 2017

s 7.....................

am No 62, 2014

Part 3

 

Division 2

 

s 11....................

am No 46, 2011; No 86, 2017

s 12....................

am No 46, 2011; No 86, 2017

Division 3

 

Subdivision A

 

s 17....................

am. No. 46, 2011

s 18....................

rs No 62, 2014

s 20....................

am No 62, 2014

Part 4

 

Division 1

 

s 26....................

rs No 62, 2014

 

am No 86, 2017

 

ed C5

Division 2

 

Division 2 heading..........

rs No 62, 2014

s 27....................

rs No 62, 2014

 

am No 86, 2017

s 28....................

am No 62, 2014; No 86, 2017

Division 3

 

s 29....................

am No 62, 2014; No 86, 2017

s 30....................

am No 62, 2014; No 86, 2017

Division 4

 

Division 4 heading..........

rs No 62, 2014; No 86, 2017

s 31....................

am No 62, 2014; No 86, 2017

s 32....................

am No 62, 2014; No 86, 2017

Part 5

 

Division 1

 

s 33....................

am No 86, 2017

Division 2

 

s 36....................

am No 62, 2014

s 37....................

am No 62, 2014; No 86, 2017

s 38....................

am No 86, 2017

s 40....................

rep No 62, 2014

Division 3

 

s 42....................

am No 86, 2017

Part 6

 

Division 1

 

s 43....................

am No 62, 2014

Division 2

 

Subdivision A

 

s 45....................

am No 62, 2014

s 46....................

am No 126, 2015

s 47....................

rep No 62, 2014

s 48....................

am No 62, 2014

Subdivision B

 

s 50....................

am No 46, 2011

s 51....................

am No 46, 2011

Subdivision C

 

s 55....................

rep No 62, 2014

s 57....................

am No 62, 2014

Part 7

 

s 64....................

am No 62, 2014

s 65....................

am No 62, 2014

Part 7A

 

Part 7A..................

ad No 9, 2023

s 66A...................

ad No 9, 2023

s 66B...................

ad No 9, 2023

Part 8

 

s 69....................

rs No 86, 2017

s 70....................

rs No 62, 2014

 

am No 86, 2017

 

 


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