On 12 July 2017, the Premier announced that work would commence to develop modernised work health and safety (WHS) laws for Western Australia.
Western Australia’s Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act) was passed by Parliament on 3 November 2020 and assented to by the Governor on 10 November 2020.
When implemented in 2022, all Western Australian workplaces will come under this single Act, which will replace the following legislation:
- Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984
- the work health and safety elements of the following Acts, covering mining and petroleum
- Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
- Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resource's Act 1967
- Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982
- Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969.
The new laws are largely based on the national model WHS Act used in other states and territories (except Victoria), so companies will have similar obligations and requirements across Australia.
Transitional arrangements will provide sufficient time for duty holders to adapt their safe systems of work to the new requirements.
Note: Levies to cover the cost of regulating health and safety will continue to be collected and used for these purposes, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Safety Levies Act 2011, and supporting regulations.