WHS Harmonisation
The process of harmonization commenced in July 2008 when the Australian Commonwealth, state and territory governments signed an intergovernmental agreement to agree to harmonise health and safety laws across Australia. That process resulted in a National review with over 232 recommendations submitted to workplace relations ministerial council members for approval. Following on from the review and recommendations being endorsed by ministers the National model Work Health and Safety Act was drafted and sent out for public comment in late 2009. Ministers endorsed that Act in December 2009. Following on from that process has been the development of the model regulations and codes of practice. Their intergovernmental agreement (IGA) requires each jurisdiction to implement the moral legislation as mirror laws in their jurisdiction by the first of January 2012. Essentially this means section 16 of the Queensland act should be the same as the section 16 of the Victorian act or in New South Wales.
Implementation Dates:
| State/Territory | Date Implemented |
|---|---|
| Queensland | 1st January 2012 |
| New South Wales | 1st January 2012 |
| Tasmania | 1st January 2013 |
| Northern Territory | 1st January 2012 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 1st January 2012 |
| South Australia | 1st January 2013 |
| Victoria | Not Implemented |
| Western Australia | Not Implemented |
Read more about this topic: Safety In Australia