Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Policy
A model WHS policy that aligns with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the model WHS Regulations adopted across Australia.
Every Australian employer has a primary duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others affected by the conduct of the business. A documented WHS policy is the cornerstone of meeting that duty.
This free template is written for Australian PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) and aligns with the model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 adopted in every state and territory except Victoria, with a note for Victorian employers covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic).
What this template covers
- The PCBU's primary duty of care under WHS legislation.
- Worker, officer and visitor responsibilities.
- Hazard identification, risk assessment and control.
- Incident reporting, investigation and notifiable incidents.
- Psychosocial hazards, officers' due diligence, health and safety representatives and the right to cease unsafe work.
- Consultation, rehabilitation and review obligations.
Why every Australian business needs one
A written WHS policy demonstrates due diligence by officers under s.27 of the WHS Act, supports SafeWork inspections, and is a prerequisite for many tender and pre-qualification processes.
Download the editable Word template, customise it for your industry and risk profile, and pair it with your hazard register, SWMS and incident reporting forms.
Disclaimer. This template is general information for Australian employers and is not legal advice. It is provided free of charge and “as is”. Review and adapt it for your industry, modern award or enterprise agreement, state or territory and workplace, and check that it is current, before issuing it. For complex, high-risk or contested matters seek advice from an employment lawyer or IR adviser. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we make no warranty that the template is accurate, complete, current or suitable for your purposes, and we accept no liability (including for negligence) for any loss arising from its use or any reliance on it. Nothing in this disclaimer excludes any right under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot lawfully be excluded.