WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT 2011 - As at 16 September 2024 - Act 10 of 2011

New South Wales Consolidated Acts

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WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT 2011 - As at 16 September 2024 - 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 Part 2A and be prosecuted under this Act or may constitute manslaughter under the Crimes Act 1900 and 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 (Industrial Manslaughter) Act 2024 No 43, Sch 1[4], to the extent it omits sec 229B(3) (not commenced)

Historical notes

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], assent, sec 2 (2); date of commencement of Sch 1 [2]-[19], 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] [3] [16] [21] [23] [29]-[31] [33]-[36] [38] and [39], assent, sec 2(c); date of commencement of Sch 1[2] [18]-[20] [22] and [24]-[27], 6 months after assent (i.e. 25.4.2024), sec 2(a); date of commencement of Sch 1[4]-[15] [17] [28] [32] and [37], 1.7.2024, sec 2(b).
	No 41	Industrial Relations Amendment Act 2023. Assented to 5.12.2023. Date of commencement of Sch 2, 1.7.2024, sec 2 and 2024 (131) LW 26.4.2024. Amended by Work Health and Safety Amendment(Industrial Manslaughter) Act 2024 No 43. Assented to24.6.2024. Date of commencement of Sch 2, assent.
2024	No 43	Work Health and Safety Amendment (Industrial Manslaughter) Act 2024. Assented to 24.6.2024. Date of commencement of Sch 1[1]-[3] and [4], except to the extent it omits sec 229B(3), 16.9.2024, sec 2(b) and 2024 (471) LW 13.9.2024; date of Sch 1[4], to the extent it omits sec 229B(3): not in force; date of commencement of Sch 1[5]-[8], assent, sec 2(a).

This Act has been amended by sec 30C of the Interpretation Act 1987 No 15.

Table of amendments

	Sec 2	Subst 2011 No 67, Sch 1 [1].
	Sec 4	Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [2]-[4]; 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [1]-[3]; 2014 No 71, Sch 2.5 [1]; 2015 No 19, Sch 14 [1] [2]; 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [1] [2]; 2016 No 48, Sch 2.37 [1]; 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] [2]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[1] [2].
	Sec 4A	Ins 2014 No 71, Sch 2.5 [2]. Rep 2015 No 19, Sch 14 [3].
	Sec 5	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[1].
	Sec 7	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[2].
	Pt 2, Div 5, note	Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[3]. Am 2024 No 43, Sch 1[1].
	Sec 31	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[4] [5], Sch 2[4]-[6]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[3] [4].
	Sec 32	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[6]-[8]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[5].
	Sec 33	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[9]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[6].
	Sec 34A	Ins 2018 No 12, Sch 1.
	Part 2A	Ins 2024 No 43, Sch 1[2].
	Sec 34B	Ins 2024 No 43, Sch 1[2].
	Sec 34C	Ins 2024 No 43, Sch 1[2].
	Sec 34D	Ins 2024 No 43, Sch 1[2].
	Sec 34E	Ins 2024 No 43, Sch 1[2].
	Sec 34F	Ins 2024 No 43, Sch 1[2].
	Sec 38	Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [5]; 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [4]; 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [3]; 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [1]; 2020 No 10, Sch 2[10] [11]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7] [8].
	Sec 39	Am 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [5]; 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [3]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 41	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[9].
	Sec 42	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[13]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[10].
	Sec 43	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[13]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[10].
	Sec 44	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[13]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[10].
	Sec 45	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[13]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[10].
	Sec 46	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[13]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[10].
	Sec 47	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[13]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[10].
	Sec 52	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 53	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[14]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[11].
	Sec 56	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 57	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[14]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[11].
	Sec 61	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 70	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 71	Am 2019 No 1, Sch 2.43; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 72	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[6]-[10]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 74	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[14]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[11].
	Sec 75	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[10] [11]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[8].
	Sec 76A	Subst 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [6]. Am 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [3] [4].
	Sec 79	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 97	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[10] [11]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[8].
	Sec 99	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[9].
	Sec 104	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[9]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[12].
	Sec 107	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[9]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[12].
	Sec 108	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[9]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[12].
	Sec 109	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[9]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[12].
	Sec 112	Am 2016 No 55, Sch 3.55 [1]-[3]; 2020 No 10, Sch 1[11].
	Sec 118	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[13].
	Sec 123	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[14].
	Sec 124	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[13].
	Sec 125	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[13].
	Sec 126	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[13].
	Sec 128	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[13].
	Sec 129	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[13].
	Sec 143	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[13].
	Sec 144	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[13].
	Sec 145	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[13].
	Sec 146	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[13].
	Sec 147	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[13].
	Sec 148	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[13].
	Sec 149	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[14].
	Sec 150	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[10] [11]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[15].
	Sec 154	Ins 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [6].
	Sec 155	Am 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [2]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 155A	Ins 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [3].
	Sec 155B	Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[12].
	Sec 156A	Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [7]. Subst 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [7]. Rep 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [5].
	Sec 162	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[16].
	Sec 162A	Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [8]; 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [8]; 2015 No 19, Sch 14 [5]. Rep 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [5].
	Sec 165	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 165A	Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [9]. Rep 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [9].
	Sec 166	Am 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [4].
	Sec 166A	Rep 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [10].
	Sec 171	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[13] [14]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 171A	Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[15].
	Sec 177	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 185	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 185A	Ins 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [5].
	Sec 188	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 189	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 190	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[17].
	Sec 193	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[9].
	Sec 197	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[9]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[12].
	Part 10, Div 2A	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[18].
	Sec 197A	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[18].
	Sec 197B	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[18].
	Sec 197C	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[18].
	Sec 197D	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[18].
	Sec 197E	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[18].
	Sec 200	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[9].
	Sec 202	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[19].
	Sec 204	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[20] [21].
	Sec 205	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[20].
	Sec 206	Subst 2023 No 34, Sch 1[22].
	Sec 207	Subst 2023 No 34, Sch 1[23].
	Sec 209	Am 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [6].
	Sec 210	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[10] [11]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[8].
	Sec 211	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[24].
	Sec 212	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[24] [25].
	Sec 213	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[24].
	Sec 214	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[26].
	Sec 215	Am 2023 No 41, Sch 2.35[1].
	Sec 216	Am 2024 No 43, Sch 1[3].
	Sec 219	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[9].
	Sec 220	Am 2023 No 41, Sch 2.35[2].
	Sec 223	Am 2016 No 55, Sch 3.55 [4]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[27].
	Sec 229A	Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [10]. Rep 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [11].
	Sec 229B	Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [11]; 2016 No 48, Sch 2.37 [2]; 2020 No 10, Sch 1[16]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[28]; 2023 No 41, Sch 2.35[3] (am 2024 No 43, Sch 2) [4]; 2024 No 43, Sch 1[4].
	Sec 230	Am 2013 No 109, Sch 1 [1]; 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [7].
	Sec 231	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[17] [18].
	Sec 233A	Ins 2018 No 12, Sch 2 [8].
	Sec 236	Am 2016 No 55, Sch 3.55 [5].
	Sec 242	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[12]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[9].
	Part 13, Div 2A	Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[19].
	Sec 242A	Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[19]. Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[29].
	Sec 242B	Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[19].
	Sec 242C	Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[19].
	Sec 242D	Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[19].
	Sec 243	Subst 2017 No 22, Sch 3.86. Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[30].
	Sec 244	Subst 2023 No 34, Sch 1[31].
	Sec 244A	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[31].
	Sec 244B	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[31]. Am 2024 No 43, Sch 1[5].
	Sec 244BA	Ins 2024 No 43, Sch 1[6].
	Sec 244C	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[31].
	Sec 244D	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[31].
	Sec 252	Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [12].
	Sec 255	Am 2016 No 48, Sch 2.37 [3]; 2023 No 41, Sch 2.35[5].
	Sec 268	Am 2016 No 55, Sch 3.55 [6]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 271	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[20]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 271A	Ins 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [13]. Am 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [12]; 2015 No 19, Sch 14 [5]; 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [3].
	Secs 271B-271F	Ins 2020 No 34, sec 3(1).
	Sec 272A	Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[21]. Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[32] [33].
	Sec 272B	Ins 2020 No 10, Sch 1[21].
	Sec 273	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 2[10] [11]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[8].
	Part 14, Div 1A	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[34].
	Sec 273A	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[34].
	Sec 273B	Ins 2023 No 34, Sch 1[34].
	Sec 274	Am 2023 No 34, Sch 1[35] [36].
	Sec 276	Am 2013 No 95, Sch 2.153 [1]; 2020 No 3, Sch 1.31[1] [2]; 2020 No 10, Sch 1[22]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[37].
	Sec 276A	Rep 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [14]. Ins 2020 No 34, sec 3(2).
	Sec 276B	Subst 2024 No 43, Sch 1[7].
	Sec 276C	Rep 1987 No 15, sec 30C.
	Sch 1	Am 2020 No 10, Sch 1[23]-[25].
	Sch 2	Subst 2015 No 19, Sch 14 [6]. Am 2015 No 43, Sch 2 [6]-[8]; 2022 No 59, Sch 3.69[1].
	Sch 3	Am 2013 No 95, Sch 2.153 [2]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[38].
	Sch 4	Am 2011 No 10, Sch 1 [15]-[19]; 2012 No 42, Sch 1.29; 2013 No 109, Sch 1 [2]-[5]; 2013 No 54, Sch 3.14 [13] [14]; 2020 No 3, Sch 1.31[3]; 2020 No 10, Sch 1[26]; 2023 No 34, Sch 1[39]; 2024 No 43, Sch 1[8].
	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]-[3], 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).

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